Member News Archives - Indiana Cable and Broadband Association

Comcast NBCUniversal Recognized as a Top Company in the U.S. by LinkedIn for 2024

April 17, 2024

Comcast NBCUniversal has been named one of the top 20 companies in the U.S. by LinkedIn for 2024, recognizing us as one of the best places for employees to grow their careers.

This is the seventh time our global media and technology company has appeared on this esteemed list celebrating workplaces across the country that are prioritizing employees’ career progression and development.

At Comcast NBCUniversal we bring together engineers, designers, creators, storytellers, and entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of media and technology. Collectively, we’re building innovative products, content, and experiences that bring joy and connection to our customers and guests around the world now – and for years to come. At the heart of our work is our people, who are passionate about technology, supporting each other, and going above and beyond each and every day.

The annual LinkedIn Top Companies list highlights the 50 best large workplaces in the U.S. and is built on research and in-depth analysis of LinkedIn’s platform and actions of its users, ranking companies based on key pillars related to career progression, including ability for employees to advance, skills growth, company stability, and more.

Interested in working at Comcast? You can explore career opportunities and learn more about our company and culture at jobs.comcast.com, nbcunicareers.com, comcastspectacor.com/careers and through Comcast NBCUniversal’s LinkedIn page.

Source: Comcast

Comcast and United Way Partner to Donate 100 Laptops to Bridge Digital Divide in City of Bloomington

April 3, 2024

Donation part of Comcast’s ongoing investment in Bloomington; partnership with city officials, community leaders to bridge the digital divide

Today, Comcast and United Way of South Central Indiana announced a donation of 100 laptops to Bloomington residents to help accelerate digital equity efforts in the community.

Laptop recipients include Bloomington families who participate in programming through the city’s Banneker Community Center – including early education and low-cost summer camp programs – and residents working with the Financial Stability Alliance, led by United Way of South Central Indiana.

“Community partnerships with organizations like Comcast and United Way are invaluable to ensuring Bloomington families can succeed in a digital world,” said Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson. “Achieving true digital equity means making long-term investments across all neighborhoods in the city, and we appreciate Comcast’s and United Way’s commitment and track record in helping us on our mission to achieve exactly that.”

In April 2020, the City of Bloomington conducted a Digital Equity survey to assess how residents use internet services. The survey results found a pronounced skills gap for low income and older residents, with 50% of respondents reporting they do not have the skills they need to use the internet effectively and comfortably.

“We’re seeing the impact of the digital divide happen in real time – affordability, access, and gaps in digital skills knowledge affect many of the families who participate in the Financial Stability Alliance and Free Community Tax Service programming,” said Randy Rogers, President & CEO, United Way of South Central Indiana. “Working together with Comcast and the City of Bloomington, investments in our community like laptops and continued affordable internet access can – and will – change the lives of the individuals and families our nonprofit partners serve every day.”

Across Indiana, Comcast is working with state and local officials to invest in communities most in need of fast, reliable broadband service in unserved and underserved areas of the state.

“Increasing digital equity unleashes the potential of high-speed internet within homes and businesses. We’re proud to be a partner in Bloomington’s digital equity journey, and to continue to work with community leaders to provide the latest technology in a way that benefits everyone – not just in the most affluent neighborhoods.”

– Craig D’Agostini, Comcast Vice President, Government & Regulatory Affairs.

This laptop donation is part of Project UP, Comcast’s 10-year, $1 billion commitment to help make digital equity a reality in communities the company serves in Bloomington and across the country. To support Indiana’s digital equity efforts, Comcast offers several programs to increase internet accessibility and skills training opportunities, including:

The Comcast Internet Essentials program provides low-cost, high-speed broadband service for $9.95 a month to eligible low-income households, connecting more than one million students, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities in Indiana enrolled in a variety of government assistance programs, including the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, the Federal Pell Grant program, SNAP, SSI, WIC, VA Pension and others.
Comcast operates more than 20 Lift Zones across Indiana, including two in Bloomington: Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington Ferguson Crestmont Club and Lincoln Street Club. Lift Zones are robust Wi-Fi hotspots in safe spaces where kids and adults can access free high-speed WiFi, learn digital skills, and participate in remote learning.
Comcast has made more than $3 million in cash and in-kind donations to community-based organizations in Indiana over the last three years, focusing on initiatives designed to foster digital equity.

Source: Comcast

Sparklight to Begin Accepting Applications for Charitable Giving Fund to Support Local Nonprofit Organizations

March 26, 2024

Sparklight® will begin accepting spring 2024 applications on April 1 for the company’s Charitable Giving Fund, which annually awards $250,000 in grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2024.

Charitable Giving Fund grants will be made available across communities served by Sparklight and the other Cable One family of brands (Fidelity Communications, Hargray and ValuNet Fiber) and will concentrate support in the following priority areas:

Education and Digital Literacy
Hunger Relief and Food Insecurity
Community Development

Last year, the company awarded grants to more than 50 nonprofits, including organizations devoted to the above priority areas as well as teen suicide prevention, homelessness resources, poverty disruption, child advocacy and more.

“We are honored to support nonprofit organizations helping those most in need in the communities we serve,” said Julie Laulis, Cable One President and CEO. “Being a strong local partner is central to our values and we are proud to help make a positive difference where we live and work.”

The Charitable Giving Fund is an extension of the company’s existing corporate social responsibility efforts, which include:

Supporting national organizations dedicated to advancing education and diversity, including the Emma Bowen Foundation and the National Diversity Council.
Supporting the mission of Special Olympics, which provides year-round sports training and athletic competition, as well as health, arts, leadership, and advocacy programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Planting trees through the Arbor Day Foundation on behalf of customers who switch to paperless billing. Since 2015, the company has planted 140,000 trees in its markets and national forests within the company’s footprint.
Supporting the mission of Keep America Beautiful in cleaning up and beautifying communities across the U.S.
Fighting hunger in local communities through volunteerism and donations, as well as supporting organizations such as Feed My Starving Children. Since 2018, Cable One has donated more than 51 tons of food and nearly $500,000 to address food insecurity.

For more information about the Cable One Charitable Giving Fund, please visit www.sparklight.com/charitablegiving.

Source: Sparklight

Mediacom Communications Launches Xumo Stream Box

March 25, 2024

Mediacom Communications today announced Xumo Stream Box is now available to its Xtream Internet customers.

Available at no additional monthly cost to Xtream customers, Xumo Stream Box is powered by a new, global entertainment operating system that makes it easy for customers to find and watch the content they love.

“Xumo Stream Box is an incredibly versatile and consumer-friendly technology that seamlessly integrates our market leading broadband speeds with a world class streaming experience,” said Tapan Dandnaik, Mediacom’s SVP of Operations, Product Strategy and Consumer Experience. “We are thrilled to be among the first companies to bring this cutting-edge device to market.”

With Xumo Stream Box, Mediacom’s Xtream Internet customers can:

Watch more, search less:

Customers can search for a show or movie by saying its name into the included voice remote, and Xumo Stream Box will search across available apps and services to find it.
Xumo Stream Box uses both AI-driven personalization and a team of editors to surface content recommendations within the experience, helping customers find something to watch without having to jump in and out of apps.

Lean-back and Enjoy Hundreds of Free Live Channels:

The built-in channel guide makes browsing through Xumo Play’s 300+ channels spanning live local and national news, movies, sports, reality shows, crime TV, kids programming and more a seamless part of the experience.
Upon startup, customers will see a “currently playing” tile that shows what’s airing on the last Xumo Play channel they watched, making it quick and easy to jump back into their favorite programming.

Instant app access, with more ways to personalize than ever:

Xumo Stream Box comes preloaded with hundreds of streaming apps, no need for customers to download before they watch. They can simply say the name of the streaming service into the voice remote, and Xumo Stream Box will find and launch it.
With “My List,” Xtream customers can build personalized viewing lists for every member of the family. With just one click, customers can add any show or movie available on Xumo Stream Box to a specific list, giving them a quick way to find what to watch next.

Xtream customers interested in learning more about Xumo Stream Box can visit mediacomcable.com/products/xumo/.

Xumo, a joint venture between Comcast and Charter, delivers the next generation of video entertainment to consumers. Among its offerings is Xumo Stream Box, a 4K streaming device powered by Comcast’s newest entertainment experience, Entertainment OS. Mediacom joins Charter and Comcast as the third U.S.-based cable operator to offer Xumo Stream Box to its customers.

Soource: BusinessWire

Comcast nears completion of broadband expansion in Crawfordsville

March 22, 2024

Comcast Line Tech Montgomery County

Comcast’s network construction in Montgomery County is nearly complete, bringing symmetrical gigabit-capable speeds to more than 1,200 residents and businesses, along with many other products and services offered by the company.

This project was a collaborative effort under Indiana’s Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program, adding 90 miles of fiber to the tech infrastructure in Montgomery County. Comcast worked with state and local officials to target areas most in need of fast, reliable broadband service in unserved and underserved areas of Waveland, Waynetown, Ladoga, New Market and southern Crawfordsville.

“Next Level Connections is used as a model by other states to deliver the best tech infrastructure to rural areas,” said Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, the state’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “These investments made by Comcast will not only benefit residents and businesses, but also supercharge Indiana’s rural economic engine, accelerate workforce potential, and connect communities to a better quality of life.”

Comcast’s investment in Montgomery County falls under the third phase of NLC. A customizable map from Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs is available here and reflects three finalized rounds of NLC agreements with all internet service providers.

“We are grateful for Comcast’s private investment in the rural parts of our county,” said Jim Fulwider, Montgomery County Commissioner. “Bringing fiber connections to rural Montgomery County is a top priority, and we cannot thank Comcast enough for helping us to connect all of the homes and businesses that can thrive on reliable, high-speed Internet.”

By project completion, Montgomery County residents and businesses will have access to symmetrical Internet speeds — increasing both available upload and download speeds.

“Our goal is to fuel the continued growth and success of communities across Indiana,” said Joni Hart, vice president, State Government Affairs for Comcast Indiana.

“Our partnership with Montgomery County enables rural Hoosiers to bridge the digital divide and wield the full power of Internet connectivity in an increasingly digital world.”

Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review

Peacock Unveils its Viewing Experience For Olympic Games Paris 2024

March 21, 2024

Corporate Olympics On Peacock Demo Image Schedule

Peacock’s viewing experience for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, which will be the most comprehensive streaming destination ever for the Olympic Games, will introduce industry-first interactive features that help fans navigate more than 5,000 hours of live coverage throughout the Games, including all 329 medal events.

Unveiled at One24 technology conference, Peacock’s extensive Olympics hub will feature curated rails of live and upcoming events, dedicated in-depth hubs for nearly 40 sports, medal standings and an interactive schedule. Peacock also unveiled two new features coming to the platform – Peacock Live Actions and Peacock Discovery Multiview – that will help fans discover and engage with the Olympics and other live programming in new, innovative ways.

“The Paris Olympics will mark another major milestone for Peacock’s leadership in live streaming with an unprecedented viewing experience that demonstrates our commitment to our customers, clients and partners. Following the Games, these new features will extend to other live events, joining the growing list of interactive elements and ad innovations that continue to set Peacock apart,” said Kelly Campbell, President, Peacock and Direct-to-Consumer, NBCUniversal.

Peacock Live Actions

Peacock Live Actions is a new interactive tool that lets fans choose their own viewing journey during live and primetime coverage, and follow the events they are most interested in watching.

Peacock Live Actions will come to life in programming like Gold Zone, the recently announced live whip-around show that will provide rolling coverage from 7am to 5pm ET, guiding viewers to the best and most exciting moments happening during the Paris Olympic Games. Through Peacock Live Actions on-screen prompts, fans watching Gold Zone will now be able to choose to continue watching the live feed of a specific event instead of staying with the Gold Zone coverage.

Peacock Live Actions will also allow viewers watching the NBC Primetime simulcast to add upcoming events to their “My Stuff” list to watch later.

Peacock Discovery Multiview

With up to 40 live events happening simultaneously, Peacock Discovery Multiview will offer an industry-first, enhanced four-view experience that helps users navigate to the most important events, with real-time on-screen descriptions from NBCU’s Olympic experts informing viewers about what is at stake, such as a medal event, an elimination risk or a first-time Olympian. In addition, a traditional Multiview experience featuring up to four matches on one screen will be available for sports such as soccer, track & field and wrestling.

Both Multiview options will allow users to move around the screens, switch the audio and click through to watch full screen and dive deeper into the action.Peacock will offer up to four Multiview options concurrently, giving fans the opportunity to choose what they are most excited to watch.

Peacock will be the first standalone streaming app to offer a Multiview experience across smart TVs, streaming devices, web browsers and tablets. Peacock will begin testing this feature during select events this spring.

Experience the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Peacock

In addition to these new features, Peacock will provide fans with an intuitive, easy-to-navigate Olympics destination that will allow every kind of fan – both avid and casual – to view the Olympic Games in the way that best fits their interests or timetable. Features of Peacock’s Olympics hub include:

Spotlight of the biggest live events prominently displayed at the top of the screen when fans enter the Olympics hub.
A “Browse by Sport” rail to allow fans to quickly find all live events, highlights and replays for their favorite competitions. Fans can easily jump between different sports hubs through connected navigation at the top of their screens.
A new “Search by Star Athlete” feature, so fans can find live events or replays that include their favorite athletes, regardless of whether they are an individual competitor or part of a team sport. As in previous Olympics, fans can also search by sport, event and team, including country names and three-letter country codes.
An enhanced Interactive Schedule, so fans can plan their Olympics viewing day-by-day, join events live, watch replays or add events to their “My Stuff” to watch later.
Up-to-date Medal Standings sponsored by Delta for fans to keep track of every country competing in Paris.
Peacock’s award-winning “Catch Up with Key Plays,” which allows fans to easily access key moments when joining an in-progress game or revisit their favorite plays, will now be available for basketball and golf, in addition to soccer.

As the most comprehensive Olympics streaming destination in U.S. media history, Peacock will feature live coverage of all events, all NBC programming, replays, clips and more.

In Paris this summer, the world’s greatest athletes will compete against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful cities in the world where the modern Olympic Games were conceived 130 years ago. This will be the third time Paris has hosted the Olympics (1900 and 1924), tying London for the most as a Summer Games host. Los Angeles (1932, 1984) will tie those two cities when it hosts the first Summer Games in the U.S. in 32 years in 2028.

NBCUniversal previously announced that NBC and Peacock will be the company’s primary platforms for its coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, scheduled for July 26-Aug. 11. Click here for more programming information and here for information about the Paralympics, which will take place Aug. 28-Sept. 8.

NBC and Peacock will present live coverage of the Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 26, beginning at noon ET. Telemundo will provide Spanish-language coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET. Primetime coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Peacock.

NBCUniversal owns the U.S. media rights to the Olympic Games through 2032, which are scheduled for Paris (2024), Milan Cortina (2026), Los Angeles (2028) and Brisbane (2032). The host city for the 2030 Olympic Winter Games has not yet been chosen.

Source: Comcast

NBCUniversal ‘Rings Across America’ Tour to Stop in Indianapolis Ahead of Olympic Games in Paris 2024

March 15, 2024

Paris 2024

NBCUniversal is once again giving U.S. fans the opportunity to touch the Olympic Games by re-launching “Rings Across America,” a cross-country tour that features an enormous Olympic rings display and will promote NBCU’s coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

The 20-foot-long interactive exhibit will stop at iconic locations across the country and some of the nation’s biggest sporting events leading up to the Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 26.

“Rings Across America” will initially stop at the following locations with more to be added:

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida: THE PLAYERS (March 14-17)
Nashville, Tennessee: Premier League Fan Fest (April 6-7)
Louisville, Kentucky: Kentucky Derby (May 4)
Indianapolis, Indiana: Indy 500 (May 26)

Fans at these iconic sporting events — all airing across NBCU platforms — will be able to pose for photos in front of the iconic symbol and possibly meet Team USA Olympians and Olympic hopefuls. As the Rings traverse the country, they will be visible to fans as they are transported from one event to the next.

The exhibit stopped at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando this past February. While stationed at THE PLAYERS Championship, the Rings will be located near the famed 17^th hole at TPC Sawgrass. The base of the Rings will be wrapped in 2024 Paris Olympics tune-in information throughout the duration of its tour.

“Our country is filled with Olympic fans and ‘Rings Across America’ gives them a chance to interact with the Games even though the Paris Olympics are taking place thousands of miles away,”

“Displaying the Rings, one of the most recognizable symbols of the Olympic movement, while moving across the country provides even more awareness, and excitement for our coverage of these highly anticipated Games.”

– Lyndsay Signor, Senior Vice President, Consumer Engagement, NBC Sports.

NBCU platforms will provide coverage of each of the four events scheduled on the Rings tour. THE PLAYERS Championship will air live on NBC, GOLF Channel, and Peacock from March 14-17. NBC Sports’ Premier League studio commentators will be on-site in Nashville at the Premier League Fan Fest, airing April 6-7 on NBC, USA Network and Peacock. Coverage of the 150^th Kentucky Derby will air live on May 4 across NBC, USA Network, and Peacock. The 108^th running of the Indianapolis 500 will air live on NBC and Peacock on May 26.

Every day of the Paris Olympic Games, NBC will provide fans with at least nine hours of daytime coverage of the Summer Games’ most exciting events, including live finals coverage of swimming, gymnastics, track & field, and more. Paris 2024 will have more programming hours on the NBC broadcast network than any previous Olympics. Given the time difference and following live coverage all day, NBC will deliver an enhanced Olympics primetime show, providing three hours of edge-of-your-seat entertainment each night.

Peacock will be the streaming home of the 2024 Paris Olympics, providing fans with the most comprehensive Olympic destination in U.S. media history. In a Summer Games first, the service will stream every sport and event, including all 329 medal events, and will feature full-event replays; all NBC programming; curated video clips; virtual channels; exclusive original programming; and more.

NBC and Peacock will present live coverage of the Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 26, beginning at Noon ET. Telemundo will provide Spanish-language coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET. Primetime coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Peacock.

Source: Comcast

Faster Internet Speeds for Xfinity Customers Across Indiana

March 6, 2024

Today, millions of Xfinity Internet customers are waking up to faster speeds at no additional cost. As the need for data increases in ever-connected households, Xfinity is ensuring customers can stream, surf, and share on a network and service they can rely on today and in the future.

“Streaming live sports, gaming, and other data-rich applications are driving Internet consumption to new heights,” said Emily Waldorf, Senior Vice President, Consumer Internet Services, Comcast. ”We have regularly increased speeds over the past two decades to provide customers with the connectivity they need to power their increasingly connected lives. And, with the potential that funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program will not be renewed, this year we have really leaned into boosting speeds for these customers so that they can take advantage of these new capabilities.”

Starting today, new and existing customers can take advantage of the following speed increases:

Connect: From 75 Mbps to now 150 Mbps
Connect More: From 200 Mbps to now 300 Mbps
Fast: From 400 Mbps to now 500 Mbps
Xfinity Prepaid: From 50 Mbps to now 200 Mbps

Faster Speeds, Cybersecurity Protection and Incredible WiFi

Today’s speed increases help to ensure that Xfinity has customers covered now and into the future. They are made possible by Comcast’s fiber-based network which has been built to deliver an exceptional Internet experience, ubiquitously, to the more than 60 million homes and businesses across the country. It is a culmination of years of research, technological breakthroughs, and massive investments, more than $20 billion since 2018 alone, in development and infrastructure.

Fast speed is an important feature of a comprehensive connectivity experience that also combines this powerful network with sophisticated hardware and software to deliver incredible benefits to consumers:

99.99% Reliability – Fast Internet speeds won’t matter if you don’t have a reliable broadband connection. Xfinity has 99.99 percent reliability, and the Xfinity network utilizes artificial intelligence to keep customers connected by fixing issues before they even affect homes.
Cybersecurity – xFi Advanced Security, included for free for customers who lease an Xfinity gateway, protects connected devices from malware and other threats at the gateway before they reach connected household devices. Since launching xFi Advanced Security, Xfinity has stopped more than 10 billion cyber security threats.
Next-Level WiFi – Next-generation Xfinity gateways deliver advanced WiFi capacity to power hundreds of devices in homes and more than a billion devices each year across Comcast’s network.
- Later this year, Comcast will introduce its latest gateway, the XB10, the first to incorporate unified DOCSIS 4.0, WiFi 7, and AI technologies. The XB10 will be capable of delivering symmetrical multi-gig speeds over WiFi and connect up to 300 devices.
- WiFi Boost Pods work with Xfinity gateways to extend WiFi coverage to hard-to-reach areas of the home. The latest WiFi extender, Storm-Ready WiFi, is Xfinity’s most powerful device to date and helps maintain a strong connection even if the power goes out. Visit an Xfinity store or visit Xfinity.com to learn more about Storm-Ready WiFi.

Keeping Customers Connected

The federal government recently announced that the Affordable Connectivity Program could end as early as April if it does not receive additional funding. The speed increases rolling out today will help to ensure those who may be affected by the end of ACP will continue to have access to fast, affordable, reliable Internet options.

Xfinity Promotional Offers – ACP participants who are existing Xfinity customers or new to Xfinity can take advantage of current promotional offers. Customers are encouraged to call 1-800-Xfinity to learn more about what offers may be available in their area. Teams are ready to work with customers to move them to a plan that fits their budget and connectivity needs if they will no longer be able to afford their current tier of service without the $30 ACP benefit.
Internet Essentials – Xfinity customers benefitting from ACP are automatically eligible to enroll in Internet Essentials for as low as $9.95 a month or Internet Essentials Plus, which doubles the speed of traditional Internet Essentials for $29.95 per month. Both services provide fast and reliable home Internet with no credit checks or cancellation fees and come with equipment included.

To learn more about Xfinity’s Internet and connectivity solutions for customers, click here.

Source: Comcast

Sparklight to Award $15,000 to Support STEM Education Through Its 6 th Annual “Dream Bigger” Contest

February 22, 2024

Six winners to each receive $2,500 to support K-12 STEM projects

Sparklight, a leading broadband communications provider, invites schools and organizations serving K-12 students to enter its 6 th annual “Dream Bigger” contest for the opportunity to win $2,500 for their science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) project or club.

K-12 schools and organizations in communities throughout the 21 states Sparklight serves are eligible to participate. Entries can be made at sparklight.com/contest by sending a photo and written summary outlining how the funds will be used for a technology project or group and how it will benefit students. Six winners will each receive a $2,500 donation.

“STEM education helps students develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed for academic and career success,” said Trish Niemann, Vice President of Communications Strategy. “Through Sparklight’s annual Dream Bigger contest, we are proud to help fund STEM-based initiatives that encourage students to develop these skills and find their passion within this rapidly growing career field.”

Entries will be accepted from February 22 through March 12, 2024, at sparklight.com/contest. Twelve finalists will be selected by Sparklight, and the six winners will be determined by public online voting from March 14 through March 21 at the same site. The finalists and winning schools and organizations will be highlighted on Sparklight’s Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) pages.

Source: Sparklight

Comcast Awards $15,000 Grant to the South Bend Education Foundation

February 7, 2024

Funds will help teachers get school supplies and other resources for South Bend Community Schools’ classrooms

The South Bend Education Foundation has been awarded a $15,000 grant from Comcast to support teachers and students of South Bend Schools. The grant will provide additional support for the Teacher Store and Teacher Wish List Programs, as well as unrestricted funds to help with additional teacher, student and classroom needs throughout the school year.

“We are so grateful to Comcast for this generous support,” said South Bend Education Foundation Executive Director Steve Funk. “The Teacher Store and Teacher Wish Lists are vitally important to our teachers. This gift allows us to provide even more resources for our teachers and students.”

“As the son of a teacher, I personally know how much dedication and passion goes into education. Teachers can make an immeasurable impact on your life,” said Carl Jones, Jr., Regional Vice President of Government and External Affairs. “Comcast is proud to support the great educators that are helping to shape the futures of South Bend’s youth.”

The Teacher Wish List is an application-based program, where teachers can apply for mini-grants up to $300 to support classroom needs. The Teacher Store is a room stocked with typical classroom supplies, which teachers may pick up free of charge. Teachers often have used their own money for needed classroom supplies. These programs help to offset the need and provide immediate accesses to the supplies.

The programs historically had been funded through small gifts from individual donors. In 2022, the AEP Foundation Indiana Michigan Power (I & M) awarded the Foundation a $25,000 grant to be more proactive in supporting the needs of our teachers. In 2023, AEP again provided a challenge grant of $25,000, which with this gift has more than been matched.

“Through both grants, from Comcast and the original funds from AEP, we are able to continue to dramatically increase the amount of support we give our teachers,” Funk continued. While use of both the Teacher Store and Teacher Wish Lists were historically limited to a couple of times per year, they are now available year-round and at increased per teacher quantities. Funk indicated that the South Bend Education Foundation has more than doubled its support through these two programs in the past two years. “That is over $50,000 annually in supplies going directly to our teachers,” he said. “Our teachers work so hard each and every day in the classroom, so we feel it is one of our primary missions to provide classroom resources to support them.”

The South Bend Education Foundation is a non-profit 501(C)3 organization dedicated to enriching the learning experiences for students and teachers of the South Bend Community School Corporation. More information about the Foundation is available at www.edfo.org.

Source: Comcast

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Community Investment

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Carl Jones Jr., Grant, South Bend Education Foundation, Steve Funk

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