Connecting for Good, Inc.
A Connected Future For All
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
At Connecting for Good, we ask the question: What happens if you don't have internet access? If you don't have a computer? Without these resources that many of us take for granted, can you attend community college? Can you readily apply for a well-paying job?
The truth is that unequal access to technology tools and skills can topple low-income neighborhoods' chances to become stable, thriving places to live. Education, jobs, entrepreneurship, and even access to basic knowledge—technology makes-or-breaks these opportunities for many individuals and families.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Free & Affordable In Home Internet Access for Low Income Families
Free Internet for families in low income public housing. We use Wi-Fi mesh networks to spread connectivity to communities that otherwise would have very limited access. As of March, 2019, we now have nine Wi-Fi Communities with over 1,800 devices connected at any given time among these low income households.Wifi Hot Spot Devices with Affordable Internet Service- partnering with two national organizations, Mobile Beacon and PCs For People, we offer this special service to low income families and nonprofit organizations.We offer a referral service to all the existing ISPs (Internet Service Providers) offering affordable internet programs for qualifying residents. Often times confusing for families to navigate on their own, these offerings range from large corporate companies like Google Fiber, AT&T, and Comcast, to smaller targeted vendors like PCs for People
Refurbished PCs
One of the main contributors to the Digital Divide is a lack of access to affordable computer equipment. Many under resourced people who could connect to the Internet simply do not have the funds to purchase a PC. Our staff, interns and volunteers take used desktops and laptops and create high quality, Internet ready PCs. As a participant in the Microsoft Registered Refurbisher Program, a software grants program allows us to provide these computers for as low as $50 to those who complete our free digital life skills classes and meet income qualifications.
Digital Life Skills Training
By teaching everyday digital Life Skills, Education Skills, and Career Skills, Connecting for Good helps under-resourced families, senior citizens and the disabled to experience all of the possibilities that the World Wide Web has to offer We are conducting regularly scheduled free classes and one-on-one and hands-on digital tutorials at our centers located at 3210 Michigan Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri and at 2006 N 3rd Street in Kansas City, Kansas. We also offer tutoring and special classes on these topics at public housing facilities, churches, and community centers throughout Kansas City’s urban core.
Community Technology Centers
CFG currently operates two community technology centers, at 2006 N 3rd Street in Kansas City KS and 3210 Michigan Avenue in Kansas City MO. Located in two of the areas most under resourced neighborhoods, we offer a variety of programs to promote technology use and access, including regular free classes in computer and Internet use. We are in the process of creating after school and summer programs for youth that will be conducted at these sites.
Where we work
Awards
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of members from priority population attending training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Digital Life Skills Training
Context Notes
This the total number of individuals receiving one on one or classroom training in our two computer labs as well as numerous remote sites where we have supplied or installed refurbished computers.
Number of clients who self-report increased skills/knowledge after educational program/intervention
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Digital Life Skills Training
Context Notes
In 2017 we began tracking knowledge and satisfaction gained from our combined classes taught at our sites and remote sites, using a Survey Monkey end of class survey.
Number of computer literacy/skills/technology courses conducted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Community Technology Centers
Context Notes
This is the total number of classes conducted across both of our two computer labs, plus the remote sites with computers that we have supplied or installed
Number of clients passing job skill competency exams or assessments after completing course
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Digital Life Skills Training
Context Notes
Total number of students completing NorthStar digital literacy assessment, and, in 2017, 21 students who completed the Cisco CompTia A+ IT Tech training course
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
CFG has also positioned itself as a national leader for digital inclusion by being one of only a few organizations in Kansas City offering all five elements of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s keys to digital inclusion: Internet Access, Affordable Computers, Computer Skills Training, Educational Online Content, and Technical Support. These strategies and organizational investments reduce historical and institutional barriers to technology access and use.While we have diversified our CFG service offerings, our core values and vision remain the same. Connectivity equals opportunity; and communities will thrive together through digital equity. Providing low-cost internet access, affordable computers, individualized educational opportunities, and nonprofit capacity support creates boundless opportunities for low-income families in Kansas City. Ultimately, these strategies work toward our end goal: improved social, educational, and economic outcomes for all.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Today, Connecting for Good operations are broad and deep. Our four-pronged strategy provides:1) Connectivity and low-cost internet service to residents in the urban core 2) Refurbishment and sales of donated computers to income-qualified residents and agencies throughout Kansas City (soon to be expanding to include full-service electronics recycling, as well)3) Education including free digital literacy classes, workforce development programs, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) opportunities for students4) Nonprofit technology capacity building to help other community organizations achieve their missions
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our capabilities are balanced between program assets and facilities assets. Our skill sets are balanced between technology and training. Programming capabilities are built on our core values:Education is the only pathway out of povertyInternet Connectivity equals OpportunityInternet access is a basic utility, as fundamental as running water or electricityAll of our staff combine compassion and empathy, knowledge, skill, and heart, to help all clients and partners in our mission. We are driven by a focus on collaboration and impact. Salaries remaining extremely low by non-profit standards; and this is an area of growing need, in order to maintain and grow the human capital necessary to sustain long term growth. Technology capabilities begin with a deep knowledge and experience in point-to-point, wireless access network installations and basic computer refurbishing. Financial resources are a growing need to support our ability to respond to gaps in internet coverage by the major Internet Service Providers.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
As a mission-focused agency, all CFG programs are designed to reach low- income residents as well as nonprofit partners and community centers serving urban core neighborhoods characterized by the digital divide. Since inception, Connecting for Good has impacted over 20,000 lives. In 2018, we saw a 20% increase in the number of Wi-Fi connections installed in housing developments, community centers, and nonprofits. Additionally, since 2015, CFG has either donated or sold over 2,000 refurbished computers for as little as $35 each. Our education courses are offered at two urban campuses: 3210 Michigan Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri and 2006 N. 3rd Street in Kansas City, Kansas. Opportunities are also available in Community Learning Centers located at the Upper Room/Mary Kelly Center, Life Unlimited (North Kansas City), West Bluff (Housing Authority, KCMO), and many other locations throughout the Kansas City area. In our education courses, community members learn basic to advanced digital skills through a CFG customized curriculum. Participants have access to many available courses for topics ranging from basic computer literacy to a 16-week Cisco course resulting in the CompTIA A+ certification. The latter is an in-demand credential that offers more career choices and higher salaries. From 2015–2017 the number of people attending our free digital skills training classes increased by approximately 187%. Beyond the individual level, technology also underscores all aspects of nonprofit organizations, but many agencies struggle to understand technology and use it to its fullest potential. CFG offers nonprofit technology capacity building services to advance the work of Kansas City organizations. From building computer labs to training staff, our support services boost the work of nonprofits so they can overcome technology challenges. Equally important, we are proud that CFG has positioned itself as a national leader for digital inclusion by being one of only a few organizations in Kansas City offering all five elements of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s keys to digital inclusion: Internet Access, Affordable Computers, Computer Skills Training, Educational Online Content, and Technical Support. These strategies and organizational investments reduce historical and institutional barriers to technology access and use. While we have diversified our CFG service offerings, our core values remain the same. Internet and digital connectivity equal opportunity, and our vision is a connected future for everyone. Providing low-cost internet access, affordable computers, individualized educational opportunities, and nonprofit capacity support creates boundless opportunities for low-income families in Kansas City. Ultimately, these strategies work toward our vision: improved social, educational, and economic outcomes for all.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connecting for Good, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 08/06/2019
Michael Levine
Susan G. Kommen Foundation
Term: 2014 - 2020
Barbara Lach
University of Missouri at Kansas City
Term: 2013 - 2019
Barbara Lach
Asst to the Dean, UMKC School of Biological Sciences
Michael Levine
Race & Events Manager, Susan B. Komen Run for the Cure
Ralph Munyan
Attorney in Private Practice
Chad Bly
CPA, Spencer Reed Group, LLC
Leslie Gasser
Don Bosco Center
James New
Retired, US Army
Tim Feathers
Stinson Leonard Street
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes