The power of many exceeds the power of one. This is true in the nonprofit world as much as in friendships — and for the Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration (IDIA), it’s an increasing priority.
In Maricopa County, IDIA has formed strong partnerships with nonprofits such as Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC), Valley of the Sun United Way (VSUW), the YWCA, and Foster Your Future. Each collaboration has strategically amplified efforts for digital inclusion and community support, and by joining forces these organizations have opened new avenues for thoughtful and targeted planning.
They’ve accomplished more together than alone. Remarkably, with the help of these nonprofits and funding from the ASU’s Maricopa County Broadband Initiative, IDIA has been able to distribute nearly 7,000 devices to underserved families and individuals across the county — a striking figure over just a few short years. But device distribution is only the beginning, and the numbers alone don’t capture the stories of each individual impacted.
“We know that device distribution only addresses the access gap,” said Dr. Erin Carr-Jordan, CEO of IDIA. “Meaningful and safe use requires that every person who comes into contact with IDIA learns about and practices online safety, and begins building their digital skills. Once those foundational pieces are in place, people develop agency and are better positioned to fully participate in—and benefit from—being online. Working with great partners allows us to support individuals throughout that entire learning journey.”
Chicanos por la Causa: Supporting local communities
With deep roots in Phoenix’s Latino community, Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) has long been a trusted source of health services, housing support, and educational opportunities. Partnering with CPLC has enabled IDIA to enter that circle of trust and support more families, particularly in areas where digital access is limited.
“CPLC supports tens of thousands of people across the country through education, financial literacy, mental and physical health, skill building — you name it — and they’ve been doing it for decades,” said Dr. Erin Carr-Jordan. “We have deep respect for them and their model. Our first step was listening — seeking to truly understand what they do, how they do it, and what makes their approach so impactful. From there, the conversation naturally evolved into how we could add capacity and help fill gaps.”
By combining CPLC’s established community relationships with IDIA’s digital inclusion expertise, the organizations have been able to meet critical needs more effectively, adding value to operations and expanding the impact for both groups.
Valley of the Sun United Way: Bridging literacy and technology
Valley of the Sun United Way (VSUW) has a long history of supporting literacy programs in Title I schools and community centers, so it was only natural that the two work together to support another layer of literacy — digital literacy. Coupling VSUW’s existing programs with IDIA’s expertise in digital skills building, the organizations have been able to multiply their impact.
“VSUW already had incredible relationships and programs in place throughout Maricopa County,” explains Carr-Jordan. “They are helping communities with foundational skills like reading and early literacy development, but they didn’t yet have the capacity to address digital literacy. That’s where we came in.”
One event at a local elementary school illustrates how the power of working together is exponential. Through VSUW’s connections, IDIA learned about an all-female robotics team from the Si Se Puede Foundation, a nonprofit STEM program. Despite being national champions, the team lacked access to the digital devices that would be helpful for their learning and robotics work. IDIA was able to provide devices and training so the team could get up to speed on technology and continue to excel.
That same event also included a “train the trainer” workshop on online safety, designed to support local nonprofit leaders in extending digital safety guidance to the communities they serve. Tashá Reeves, founder and executive director of Women With Purpose, Inc., participated in the session.
“Participating in the ‘train the trainer’ session for online safety… was incredibly impactful for us,” Reeves says. “At Women With Purpose, Inc., we are committed to equipping single mothers with the tools they need to thrive, and digital literacy and online safety are essential components of that mission. This experience not only strengthened our capacity as an organization but also positioned us to extend critical knowledge to the women and children we serve.”
YWCA: A centuries-long dedication to women and families
YWCA and IDIA share a lot in common, but they were especially drawn by their mutual commitment to community support. By joining forces, the organizations have created pathways to digital inclusion for a wide range of people, especially women, seniors, and families.
Through YWCA, IDIA has hosted a series of events and workshops to not only provide devices but also ensure recipients receive the training they need to safely navigate the online world. This includes, for example, protecting private information, setting strong passwords, avoiding phishing scams, and even accessing telehealth — all critical steps in building digital skills.
The goal is to help people receive the training they need on digital device use, an increasingly essential part of everyday life.
“Oftentimes the communities we work with are marginalized. They kind of just get passed over,” says Dr. Annissa Furr, head of research and learning at IDIA. “They never feel like they’re quite up to speed with the technology. Our goal is really to just bring devices (and support) to individuals in Maricopa County that don’t have the ability to get it for themselves.”
Foster Your Future: Building independence and life skills
Foster Your Future supports young adults with experience in foster care—many of whom are navigating school, work, and new responsibilities. Through a connection made by Valley of the Sun United Way, the organization partnered with IDIA to expand that support through access to digital tools. Together, they distributed 25 devices to young adults in the program, many of whom are enrolled in school, applying for jobs, or working with mentors to build life skills.
“We have a number of young people who’ve already said that they’re doing [schoolwork] with theirs,” says Jennifer Doran-Peña, Chief Operating Officer of Foster Your Future. “Some of them are applying for jobs, or doing other things… They’re using it to help them with their budgeting and their financial literacy, one-on-one with their mentors.”
The devices have also provided an opportunity for conversations around digital safety, which is especially important for young adults at higher risk for identity theft or misinformation online. With guidance from IDIA, mentors are helping young parents set up parental controls, protect private information, and understand what it means to have a digital presence.
Partnerships as the foundation for inclusion
For IDIA, partnerships like those with CPLC, VSUW, YWCA, and Foster Your Future are key to multiplying outreach efforts in Maricopa County. By working alongside trusted organizations, IDIA can focus on creating long-term solutions that enable better outcomes for individuals and communities.
“There is no shortage of people who are in need,” says Dr. Carr-Jordan. “It’s a matter of identifying the right partners. It’s about co-creating with folks who trust you because you show up and did what you said you would do. That’s the long game.”
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The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted to provide Arizona State University and its collaborators $34.6 million of US federal funding to advance broadband, community support, equipment and training across Maricopa County from 2022-2026. This collective work is known as the Maricopa County Broadband Initiative. Visit the AZ-1 portal for insights into the current state of digital access and inclusion – developed as a shared resource through MCBI. Learn more about each collaborator: ASU; Sun Corridor Network; and the Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration (IDIA).
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