The Literacy Alliance Receives $140,000 in Grants from Comcast to Support Digital Skills Training and New Testing Center in Fort Wayne

Grant funding supports student futures and educational programing for digital equity 

Comcast announced it has awarded $50,000 and $90,000 grants, totaling $140,000, to The Literacy Alliance, a Fort Wayne-based community organization that works with children of all ages and adults to improve their literacy skills through free programs and services.

Supporting Digital Literacy in Fort Wayne

Comcast’s first grant of $50,000 supports The Literacy Alliance’s initiative to provide students with computer and internet skills training through Project Graduate and Project Connect. With this donation, nearly 500 students in as many as 7 Project Graduate and 12 Project Connect classrooms will have access to vital digital literacy information.

Through Project Graduate, The Literacy Alliance offers classes that help adult students who wish to finish high school prepare for the high school equivalency (HSE) exam. Project Connect teaches English language skills to adults whose primary language is not English.

Comcast’s second grant of $90,000 supports the building of The Literacy Alliance’s new mobile testing center. This mobile testing center includes the use of a dedicated bank of laptops, enabling students to test in a location familiar to them, and eliminate the need to travel to a different testing center.

“Supporting our students involves providing them with the resources and guidance they need to succeed and fostering an environment where they can thrive and achieve their educational goals,” said Melinda Haines, CEO of The Literacy Alliance. “Our continued partnership and support from Comcast have transformed The Literacy Alliance’s landscape to allow more students in new classrooms and expand digital skills.” 

Grant Continues Comcast’s Partnership with The Literacy Alliance

In 2023, Comcast donated 50 laptops and granted $50,000, offering an opportunity for every student to use a computer during The Literacy Alliance’s classes. With these grants and donations, students will have increased skills for interviewing, oral and written communications, critical thinking, problem-solving, job acquisition, and transferable soft skills such as time management, dependability, teamwork and adaptability.

“Our partnership with The Literacy Alliance provides essential resources and opportunities for Fort Wayne residents to succeed. At Comcast, we believe in fostering a community where everyone has the chance to thrive,” said Craig D’Agostini, Government External and Government Affairs, Comcast Heartland Region.

The grants and laptop donations are a part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity and help create a future with limitless possibilities.