DWIG Awarded $50,000 in Digital Towns Funding from ROI

DWIG was awarded $50,000 in Digital Towns funding from Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI). We are currently in the midst of our grant program, Bridging the Gap: Community Empowerment through Church-Driven Connectivity and Support for all 11 counties in the Hoosier Uplands: Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, and Washington.

In these counties, we are conducting workshops on basic computer skills, internet safety, and the use of essential online services (e.g. banking, healthcare, government services) to improve digital access and literacy through training programs at faith-based hubs. In December, we had a great turnout at Bloomfield First Baptist Church for a training on online scam prevention and internet safety.

We are also offering free consultations and assistance to churches to assess and improve church websites, social media presence, and live-streaming services to better connect with their congregation and community. Our consultants recently set up live-streaming at Cornerstone Community Church in Martin County.

DWIG aims to develop digital connectivity hubs at churches in rural communities- advising and supporting each church hub to progress from its current state to a stronger position of connectivity, based on an inventory of its current resources. Churches have long served as central pillars of support and community in rural areas. Our program, "Bridging the Gap" seeks to expand this role by transforming churches into multifunctional hubs addressing critical needs in connectivity, digital access, and training to enhance community well-being.

Rural communities often face limited access to healthcare, digital technology, and training opportunities exacerbate these issues. Churches, as long-term trusted community anchors, are uniquely positioned to address these gaps that rural communities often face with limited access to healthcare, isolation, inadequate infrastructure, and economic constraints. Churches often have available building space, members with extensive community ties, and networks extending beyond the local community. Bridging the Gap supports and equips churches who want to serve their community in this way and offers training and facilitation to make it happen.

If you are interested in DWIG programs for your church, please contact us at

dwig@dowhatisgood.org or call 812-381-3363.