Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program - Pilot Program Grants | FCC ACOGP 23 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for FCC ACOGP 23 002

The Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program - Pilot Program Grants (Funding Opportunity Number FCC ACOGP 23 002) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to support outreach efforts tied to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP is a national affordability benefit intended to help eligible households pay for broadband service, and this grant program focuses specifically on boosting awareness and enrollment among households that are most likely to face barriers to affordable internet access. The FCC frames these grants as part of the broader set of digital equity and broadband access measures authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, with the overall goal of narrowing the digital divide by making sure eligible families know the benefit exists and can successfully sign up.

This particular Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) covers Pilot Program Outreach Grants for participants in two pilot tracks referenced as YHYI and NPP. The FCC notes that a separate NOFO exists for other outreach tracks (NCOP and TCOP), so applicants should be careful to match their proposed work to the correct announcement. In practical terms, this NOFO is designed to channel new federal funding to on-the-ground messengers and organizations that can reach eligible households, explain ACP benefits in plain language, help people navigate eligibility questions, and reduce friction in the enrollment process. The emphasis is outreach: community education, engagement campaigns, trusted-partner coordination, and hands-on assistance that increases actual participation, not just general awareness.

Eligible applicants are broad and intentionally include both government and non-government entities that are positioned to reach underserved communities. Governmental eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments, as well as special district governments. Tribal eligibility includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations. Housing-focused public entities are also eligible, including public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, reflecting the reality that ACP-eligible households are often concentrated in subsidized or income-restricted housing communities. On the non-government side, eligible applicants include nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status, nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (so long as they are not institutions of higher education), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. This mix signals the FCCs intent to fund a variety of outreach models, from community-based nonprofit enrollment drives to coordinated campaigns run by local governments or specialized service providers.

The grant instrument is a standard grant (not a contract), and the funding activity category is listed as Community Development under CFDA number 32.011. The FCC anticipated making about 40 awards under this opportunity, with an award ceiling of up to $1,000,000 per award. While the ceiling indicates the maximum, actual award sizes can vary depending on the scope of work, target geography or population, demonstrated need, and the strength of the outreach plan. The opportunity was created on November 21, 2022, with an original application closing date of January 9, 2023.

At a high level, the FCCs purpose with these Pilot Program Outreach Grants is to put resources into the hands of entities that can reach ACP-eligible households who may not be enrolled due to lack of information, language barriers, limited digital skills, distrust of unfamiliar programs, difficulty gathering documentation, or simple confusion about how to sign up. By funding practical outreach and enrollment support, the FCC aims to increase ACP participation and ensure that affordability assistance translates into real broadband adoption for people who need it most. For a full explanation of what activities are expected and how the FCC defines the pilot tracks, the NOFO directs applicants to consult Section IV - Program Description, which contains the detailed program requirements and expectations.

• The Federal Communications Commission in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program - Pilot Program Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 32.011.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 21, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 09, 2023 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses.

Apply for FCC ACOGP 23 002

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: