Internet Society Foundation
Investing in an interconnected world of possibilities.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The Foundation supports efforts to ensure that the Internet is open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy. We champion the use of the network as a critical technical infrastructure that can bring communities better education, healthcare and economic opportunity among other important areas of focus. Our work advances the mission and vision of the Internet Society (ISOC): The Internet is For Everyone.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Emergency Response Grant Programme: COVID-19
Our Emergency Response Programme will provide funding to organizations working on projects that utilize the Internet to improve lives during or in response to an emergency situation. In 2020, the Foundation’s focus will be on projects that respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, both during the immediate period of the crisis but also looking ahead at responses to the inevitable “second wave” later this year/into 2021.
SCILLS- Strengthening Communities, Improving Lives and Livelihoods
Our Strengthening Communities/Improving Lives and Livelihoods (SCILLS) grant programme aims to expand economic growth, improve health outcomes and increase educational opportunities by supporting individuals and communities to more knowledgeably and skillfully use the Internet.
The Foundation is committed to working with organizations that focus in one (or all) of the following three areas: Economic Growth, Health and Education.
In Year One, the Foundation will target its efforts in one country in each of three distinct regions: Asia Pacific, LAC and Africa. The target countries for our first launch for applications are Bangladesh, Colombia and Senegal.
Research
The Internet Society Foundation’s Research Programme supports global research collaborations that advance understanding of the Internet and its value for all.
Programme Objectives
Promote novel methodologies that generate solutions to Internet-related challenges
Identify and support a diverse and collaborative group of researchers and research institutions
Facilitate access to intersectional research that can be applied to decision-making in government and industry.
This programme is intended for research that is applied and open, meaning the research seeks to answer a real-world question and should be openly published and made available to the scientific community at no cost. The Foundation supports research involving human or animal subjects when the project has been certified by a responsible body to be ethical and in compliance with local law. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator of the project to obtain these certifications.
Beyond the Net Large
The Internet Society Foundation’s Beyond the Net Large Grant Programme offers funding to support Internet Society Chapters and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to implement innovative projects that make a local impact by providing meaningful access to an open, trusted, and globally-connected Internet.
Programme Objectives:
Strengthen the impact of the Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation’s mission and global initiatives with complementary local activities
Contribute to the development of the Chapter and local community
Engage members and Chapter leadership around a common activity
Develop new or strengthen existing relationships and partnerships at the local level
Beyond the Net Small
The Internet Society Foundation’s Beyond the Net Small Grant Programme offers funding to support Internet Society Chapters and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to implement short-term projects with a goal of providing learning opportunities, increasing membership in the Chapter/SIG, or undertaking specific research projects.
Programme Objectives
Strengthen the impact of the Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation’s mission and global initiatives with complementary local activities
Contribute to the development of the Chapter and local community
Engage members and Chapter leadership around a common activity
Develop new or strengthen existing relationships and partnerships at the local level
Focus Areas:
The Foundation will support Internet Society Chapters and SIGs to implement small, short-term projects, such as events, trainings or research initiatives that promote the open, globally-connected, secure, and trustworthy Internet for all that positively impacts humanity. Chapters have the option to tie their projects to the Internet Society’s Strengthening the Internet or Growing the Internet projects or may submit applications for funding initiatives that address needs specific to their communities. The Beyond the Net Small grants can also be used to support National or Local IGFs as well as National Schools of Internet Governance.
Resiliency
The Resiliency Program supports projects that increase network resiliency in communities prone to natural and climate-related disasters, so that these communities will be better able to prepare for and withstand the effects of natural and climate-related disasters on Internet connectivity.
The Resiliency program is one component of the Foundation’s RARE (Resiliency & Responding to Emergencies) program, which seeks to help communities enhance preparedness and build Internet resiliency when faced with adverse events such as national disasters.
Program Objectives:
Ensure readiness of local communities to maintain or repair Internet connectivity
Re-establish Internet connectivity for communities affected by natural and climate-related disasters
BOLT- Building Opportunities, Leveraging Technology
The Internet Society Foundation takes a futurist approach to support the development of innovative methods, technologies, and infrastructure that seek to enhance Internet connectivity and access. The Foundation aims to support teams of creatives, technologists, researchers, and social/cultural workers to design and build prototypes and pilots that will bring into reality innovative solutions to Internet connectivity particularly among communities where current technologies are unavailable or not readily accessible. By focusing our funding in this way, the Foundation will create opportunities to expand the vision of the Internet Society, that The Internet is for everyone.
Where we work
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of people receiving digital literacy training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Beyond the Net Small
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of communities connected to the Internet
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Beyond the Net Small
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of success stories demonstrating social impact
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Beyond the Net Small
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
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?
At the Internet Society Foundation, we focus on funding initiatives that strengthen the Internet in function and reach so that it can effectively serve all people.
Driven by core values of diversity and inclusion, we catalyze partnerships with organizations large and small to amplify voices and stimulate action. We believe that by working together, we can use the Internet to shape a better future for us all and positively impact humanity worldwide.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Introduce and amplify the Foundation brand by communicating the role and scope of the Foundation’s purpose and focus
Inform stakeholders about the Foundation’s funding opportunities and solicit qualified grant applications
Through a transparent and independent review process, award funding to a global portfolio of charitable organizations and individuals working in the Foundation Programme Areas as well as to Internet Society (ISOC) Chapters and Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Invest in people and organizations whose work utilizes the Internet to help populations.
Develop programmes that address identified, critical needs.
Partner with other organizations that seek positive change.
Discover new and exciting opportunities that push the limits of ideas.
Create a community among grantees.
Evaluate our portfolio's impact and adapt to lessons learned.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Foundation’s operations and organizational capacity includes the elements required for the Foundation to successfully solicit, review, award and manage grants as well as building the team and training. It also incorporates increasing visibility of the impact of the work we do. The Foundation embodies the following values, which support and strengthen our organizational capabilities:
We are bold. We are unafraid to take on new challenges, seek unique solutions, and blaze our own trail.
We act with integrity. We do what is right even when it is not easy, hold ourselves and others to a high standard, and choose honesty above all else.
We are committed. We prioritize our grantees' success and sustainability, our team members' well-being and growth, and making a true difference for people and the planet.
We are inclusive. We seek out worldwide opportunities to advance ideas and we foster strength in diversity.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In 2020, our first full year in operation, we:
Grew from zero to a full force organization.
Built a team of seven dedicated and passionate individuals.
Recruited independent reviewers to ensure a transparent, objective review-and-score method of all pre-screened applications.
Launched our first brand new programme in two weeks (Emergency Response: COVID 19) that was not in our original 2020 strategy. This required a Board resolution and resulted in an avalanche of applications and awarding funds to four inspiring projects.
Launched a worldwide communications strategy that includes four social media platforms as well as a website populated with impact stories and information about all funding areas.
Created a comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning training curriculum for our applicants and grantees in English, Spanish and French.
Managed to meet all of our milestones and deliverables on time and within budget in spite of a worldwide pandemic.
Awarded grants to nine organizations in Bangladesh, Senegal, and Colombia under the Strengthening Communities, Improving Lives and Livelihoods programme.
2021 Objectives:
The Foundation will build on our success of 2020 and commit up to $7M in funding to high quality, independently reviewed and scored applications through existing and new programme funding areas by:
Simplifying the grant application process
Implementing quality controls, providing grantee networking activities and a streamlined and robust M&E process
Encouraging applications from organizations that are working to unlock the Internet’s potential to tackle the world’s evolving challenges.
Increase awareness of the opportunities provided by the Foundation among potential grantees and other key audiences by implementing a comprehensive communications campaign that includes: storytelling; publishing research findings; and sharing case studies.
Establish a community of grantees by providing opportunities for communication, collaboration and learning among organizations funded by the Foundation.
Launch two new programme funding areas, assuming the appropriate resources are available:
The second component of RARE (Resiliency and Responding to Emergencies)
BOLT (Building Opportunities and Leveraging Technologies).
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.
Internet Society Foundation
Board of directorsas of 02/03/2022
Ted Hardie
Walid Al-Saqaf
Södertörn Univerisity
Richard Barnes
Cisco
Olga Cavalli
South School of Internet Governance
Maimouna Diop
SONATEL
Mike Godwin
R Street Institute
Ted Hardie
John Levine
CAUCE North America
Robert Pepper
George Sadowsky
Laura Thomson
Fastly
Heather West
Mozilla
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
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Gender identity
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Sexual orientation
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Disability
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