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Case Study

LGBT Nonprofit Embraces Diversity and Digital Inclusion in Fresno, CA

Organization
LGBT Community Network
Market
Fresno, CA

Digital Equity and InclusionLGBT Community Network provides support and essential resources that enrich the well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Since 2020 those resources have included Mobile Citizen Wi-Fi Hotspots, helping the nonprofit group bridge digital divides that exist in their LGBT communities.

Run entirely by volunteers, the nonprofit serves 3,000 members in the Fresno, CA metro area and several hundred more in outlying cities. “We offer financial help, share news, connect them with state and local resources, and host events that allow our members and community allies a way to connect in safe and welcoming environments,” explained the organization’s Executive Director, Jason Scott.

Wi-Fi Hotspots

In early 2020, LGBT Community Network purchased Wi-Fi hotspot devices from Mobile Citizen so volunteers could help students within their communities stay connected to remote learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. “We equipped dozens of low income or no-income kids with Mobile Citizen Wi-Fi hotspot devices and high-speed internet service so they could get online and keep up with their classes,” said Scott.

Mobile Citizen’s affordable pricing was the key to making this effort possible. “We don’t get government funding, so our budget is limited,” Scott explained. “Every dollar we spend comes from community fundraising events and employee donation programs.”

Internet for Homeless Youth

As the pandemic receded and most kids headed back to the classroom, the nonprofit redeployed its Mobile Citizen hotpots to others in need. One thing Scott is particularly excited about is the group’s efforts to keep homeless LGBT youth connected. “Our homeless youth rarely have funds for cell phones. Now they can use the Mobile Citizen Wi-Fi devices for both internet and internet-based phone service,” Scott explained. “We’re very proud to be able to offer that capability when the need is so dire.”

LGBT Community Network currently has 35 Mobile Citizen hotspots in circulation and loans them out on a monthly recurring basis. Scott and his colleagues check on the devices occasionally, but they never have to worry about tracking data usage. Mobile Citizen offers unlimited 4G Internet service with no overage fees and no throttling. It is available exclusively to nonprofit organizations, schools, libraries and social welfare agencies at a cost of about $10 per month.

Affordable Wi-Fi Hotspots from Mobile Citizen help organizations bridge gaps in Internet access and promote digital equity in their communities. To explore opportunities for your nonprofit, please contact our experts in the Mobile Citizen Customer Service Center at 877-216-9603.Digital Inclusion and Equity