The global pandemic undeniably established in the public mind that robust, affordable broadband service is part of our critical public infrastructure and an essential tool for our daily lives—as necessary as reliable electricity and clean water. Join Maryland Philanthropy Network to learn about the various aspects of the digital divide and the prospects for addressing it in Maryland and, particularly, in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. We’ll learn about the role of the new Office of Statewide Broadband; possibilities of building out broadband infrastructure and digital navigators; and gaps in public funding/possible investment opportunities for philanthropy.

Maryland Philanthropy Network is pleased to host our annual training for funders, Advancing Racial Equity in Grantmaking, in partnership with ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities. This year we offer a highly interactive virtual equivalent of the typical on-site day-long racial equity training. This introductory training, derived from the Race Matters Toolkit, presents a valuable framework that has guided and informed Maryland Philanthropy Network’s work since it was first offered to our Board, Staff and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee in April 2013. ABFE’s racial equity training is centered on the drivers of poor and disparate outcomes in Black communities and other communities of color, as well as support and tools for leading community change efforts particularly in places where there has been a long history of racial inequity.