HP’s Microenterprise Development Program

Posted by on December 19, 2003

[posted from Digital Divide listserv]

We are pleased to inform you of HP’s 2004 launch of the Microenterprise Development Program, a grant opportunity for nonprofit microenterprise development agencies and programs operating in underserved communities. Please help us spread the word!

Hewlett-Packard Company
Microenterprise Development Program
providing economic opportunity in underserved communities

2004 GRANT OPPORTUNITY FACT SHEET

HP has a vision of "e-inclusion"— a vision of the future in which all people have access to the social and economic opportunities of the 21st century, and can use technology as a means to learn, work and thrive. Our goal is to help close the gap between technology-empowered and technology-excluded communities worldwide and demonstrate our commitment to global citizenship.

HP is requesting proposals for participation in the Microenterprise Development Program, a grant initiative targeting nonprofit microenterprise development agencies that serve clients in low-income communities in the United States. The goal of the program is to accelerate the ability of nonprofit microenterprise development agencies to advance economic growth in diverse, low-income communities by 1) making the agencies more efficient and effective through the integration of technology into their core operations and 2) assisting them in providing their clients with access to technology and associated training to optimize its use. HP seeks to build long-term capacity in these organizations and the communities they serve. HP also seeks to assist the microenterprise industry in the U.S. through supporting best practices in the use of technology for microenterprise development.

Through the Microenterprise Development Program, HP will support nonprofit agencies that have a primary focus on providing microenterprise development programs and services in underserved communities. Each grant award will have a total list price value of $150,000 to $250,000 in equipment, cash, services and support. In addition, recipients will receive a travel grant to participate in a symposium to share learnings, address common challenges and provide information that will serve to educate and inform the microenterprise development industry.

In determining awardees, priority consideration will be given to agencies that clearly demonstrate the following:
* thoughtful and innovative technology vision and plan for the agency and its client services
* breadth and diversity of partnerships and support from the community
* capacity to execute and support the project.

To learn more about the HP Microenterprise Development Program and view a complete copy of the Request for Proposals, please visit <a href="http://grants.hp.com/us/programs/micro_index.html">http://grants.hp.com/us/programs/micro_index.html</a>. Proposals must be submitted online between December 15, 2003 and January 23, 2004, no later than January 23, 2004 at 5:00 pm Pacific Time.