Boost Resiliency Grants
Bridging the digital divide during COVID-19
Together, we can close the gap for low-income students during this uncertain and challenging time of COVID-19. Make a donation today – no amount is too small.
📆 Applications due March 29, 2020, 5:00 p.m. PST
💻 Awarding 6 Chromebooks and school supplies
🍎 First-Gen and Low-Income Students
Don
Boosts help close the gap for low-income high school students with a one-time micro-grant (up to $300). Students can use Boosts to pay for:
Distance learning equipments
Reliable internet service subscription
Supplies like printer or notebooks
Tutoring service or exam preps
Online courses or softwares
Close the Gap’s 2019 Scholarship Recipient shares why Boosts play an important role for low-income students like him.
The stats at a glance
Low-income students in the U.S.
41%
Students are low-income. This translates to 29.5 million students. For Black and Hispanic students? The figure is a 60%.
Students without internet access
3.1 million
Households with school-aged children have no wired broadband connection at home for distance learning
Unable to do homework
1 in 4
Low-income students regularly cannot do their homework due to lack of reliable access to a computer or the internet
What People Are Saying
“From lacking computers to physical space, low-income students are at a disadvantage in online learning.”
— Anna North, VOX
“Simply put, too many American children live without essential internet services.”
— Lara Fishbane & Adie Tomer, The Brookings Institute
Make a difference
If you believe that every student is deserving of equitable opportunities, consider giving back. No donation is too small. All donations are tax deductible.
Ways students can use Boosts
Activity Gap
Extracurricular Activities
Use Boosts to purchase things related to extracurricular activities like music instruments and art supplies that you can practice at home during SIP.
Homework gap
Distance Learning Tools
Whether it’s an internet service subscription or noise-cancellation headphones, use Boosts to help you focus and do your best.
Achievement Gap
Tutoring and SAT/ACT Test Prep
Stay ahead and continue learning by using Boosts for online test prep or tutoring. Need help with the SAT/ACT or on a class? We’ve got you covered.
Request a Boost
Boosts are designed to create equitable opportunities for low-income students in high school. Close the Gap will grant one-time Boosts (up to $300 each). To qualify for Boosts, students must meet all the requirements below:
🎓 You will be a HS freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in the 2020-2021 School Year
🍎You qualify for free or reduced school lunch; refer to NSLA, 42 U.S.C.1761(b)(3)
⏰ You will complete the Boosts grant request by June 30, 2020 at 11:00 pm PST
Applying is simple and takes less than a few minutes. No GPA or essays required. Because you deserve it. Enter your email and we’ll send you the Boosts grant request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I submit a Boost request?
Boosts can be used immediately toward costs like: music equipments, sport uniforms, art supplies, SAT prep, graphing calculator, iClicker, online courses, conferences, and more. If you’re unsure if your request is eligible, email us at hello@closethegapfoundation.com.
Who is funding Boosts?
Boosts are made possible by Close the Gap Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, along with our donors network and corporate sponsors. If you’re interested in donating a Boost, please reach out to at hello@sparcinitiative.com!
How are Boosts granted?
If your Boost is something that Close the Gap Foundation can purchase and deliver on your behalf, we will ask for a shipping address. If the Boost is something that Close the Gap Foundation can’t purchase directly, we’ll ask you to make the purchase yourself then send us an itemized receipt to receive your Boost reimbursements.
When are Boosts granted?
We will distribute Boosts on a rolling basis. The recipient will receive an email notifying that their Boost has been granted and next steps.
How many Boosts are granted?
Due to limited resources, we are only able grant six Boosts (up to $300). Although the value of a Boost is $300 maximum, we ask that you only request what you need so that other low-income students can benefit from the program. The number of Boosts granted may increase depending on our fundraising efforts on Giving Tuesday Now (May 5).
What is the “Refer a Friend” field on the Boost form?
We encourage you to recommend friends who you think can benefit from the Boosts program to submit their own Boost as well. If their Boost is granted, your Boost is also granted as well! If there are multiple Refer a Friend entries, we will choose one by random draw.
Be the spark that starts it all
If you believe that every student is deserving of equitable opportunities, consider giving back. No donation is too small.