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2025 TLC Year in Review & A Look Ahead

We started 2025 celebrating the announcement of $12 million in Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant funding for Philadelphia, only to see all federal Digital Equity Act funding cancelled within months.

We went from preparing for and celebrating what was to be a historic infusion of federal funding for digital equity… to wondering if some nonprofits would be able to keep their doors open. It hasn’t been the easiest of years for Greater Philadelphia’s nonprofit community.

However, if we think about our current moment by reflecting on the history of digital equity initiatives in Philadelphia, we recognize that we’ve weathered ups and downs before.

In 2005, we were one of the first cities to attempt to create a municipal wifi network, but the effort did not succeed. In 2010, Philadelphia received 2 federal BTOP grants, enabling a collaboration of over 50 organizations to promote digital equity. However, when the grants ended in 2013, many had to reduce or eliminate programs. Out of this challenge, TLC was founded, as proof that collaboration and innovative work is possible even in a limited funding environment. Whether or not there’s funding, the needs in our communities haven’t gone away, and neither will we.

2025 Highlights

So despite a tough year, we wanted to share three big takeaways for our digital equity community.

1. Funders care about digital equity

This past year, TLC began having outreach conversations with funders about the importance of digital equity and its fundamental role in supporting a wide variety of issues, including workforce development, education for youth and adults, healthcare, civic engagement, and social connection. While digital equity isn’t a named priority for most funders, they really do understand how important it is! We plan to have more of these conversations in 2026, so if you’d like to be a part of our funder education campaign, please reach out!

In 2025, Comcast deepened its investment in our region’s digital equity ecosystem by supporting TLC and Digital Navigator organizations, among others. TLC was also thrilled to connect with other William Penn grantees through the foundation’s learning communities.

2. Our Community Remains Strong

We titled our 2025 conference “Resilience in Action” because we were inspired to see the resilience of the people and organizations that make up our local digital equity ecosystem. And we were thrilled to have a record 150 attendees at our 2025 conference, and even more thrilled by the energy and enthusiasm for connection that you all brought to the conference! What an exciting day for learning, sharing, and fostering partnerships. Take a peek into the day here.

Throughout the year, members shared resources and best practices at meetings, focusing on online safety, AI, and workforce development’s link to digital equity. We supported Digital Navigators’ professional growth with resources on low-cost internet, media literacy, and cybersecurity. We launched our member spotlight series to showcase the incredible impact of the organizations working every day to advance digital equity in our communities. We deepened our connections to organizations in related industries such as technology, entrepreneurship, and small businesses. 

And we connected with best practices and policy advocacy at the state and national level. TLC continued to co-convene the Keystone Internet Coalition, our statewide coalition, and convene a statewide Digital Navigator Community of Practice. We presented on our work and the successes of our regions’ digital equity ecosystem at national conferences hosted by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance and the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition.

3. We Will Continue to Fight for Digital Access

In 2025, TLC worked closely with KIC to conduct outreach to elected officials and other decision-makers to educate them on the barriers to digital inclusion in our communities and to advocate for funding to meet those needs. 

We spearheaded a Digital Equity Act advocacy letter to Governor Shapiro, gathering over 100 signatures, including over 30 elected officials, highlighting the need to fight the illegal termination of Digital Equity Act funding in court. We met with members of the PA Broadband Development Authority Board about the needs in our communities. We met with staff for Senator Dave McCormick and Representative Brendan Boyle about the importance of the BEAD non-deployment funds. And we strengthened relationships with our local elected officials, including Philadelphia City Councilmember and Chair of the Technology Committee Rue Landau. 

The fight is not over, and we will continue to have these conversations and build relationships with key decision makers who have a stake in a digitally inclusive society. 

TLC in the News

TLC and our local digital equity movement received quite a bit of press in 2025!

Looking Ahead in 2026

In 2026, TLC will continue to pursue our mission to advance digital equity in Greater Philadelphia by providing professional development and capacity building for practitioners, driving collaboration, and advocating for digitally inclusive communities. We will continue the great momentum that we gathered in 2025 and do even more to support the incredible local digital equity ecosystem.

We are so excited to announce our new logo and website! Our new brand represents an investment in TLC (to continue our 10+ years of coalition building) and an investment in our digital equity movement for the long term. Our new logo is a nod to the past, blending nostalgia with a fresh new look, and illustrates how TLC is composed of separate organizations coming together to form a coalition. Our new website does a better job of telling our story and connecting you with the resources that allow you to improve the effectiveness of your work.

For over two decades, Philadelphia has led with innovation and collaboration, building a strong ecosystem dedicated to advancing digital inclusion and receiving national recognition for our work. But in order to be successful, we need sustained investment. Achieving digital inclusion requires dedicated funding and deep cross-sector collaboration. TLC will continue to be your champion and partner in the movement to make Greater Philadelphia a more digitally inclusive community for all.

Thank You to Our Funders

As always, we want to extend a huge thank you to our funders who make our work possible. Our 2025 funders include:

  • Comcast
  • People’s Media Fund
  • Philadelphia City Fund
  • William Penn Foundation