Life-Changing Technology for LGBTQ+ Individuals

The mission of the PowerOn Program is to bridge the digital divide for the LGBTQ+ community. One of the key pillars to this mission is access to technology for the community not only through personal devices, but also equipping LGBTQ+ centers to facilitate their day to day operations, as well as help them create safe digital access spaces for community use. 

To better understand the technology needs, uses and impact in the community from our grants, we have multiple touch points throughout the year. Below is the most recent data on our impact over the last 4 months.

Community Tech Grant

The 2025 Community Tech Grant provided over $128,000 worth of technology to 44 centers across the US States and Territories. In four months, our technology has reached more than 81,600 individuals with 25% of these individuals living in rural areas. Our devices have also facilitated a multitude of programming and services including support groups, free printing services, legal resources, food banks, housing resources, health services, computer labs, digital libraries and more! 

Demographically, PowerOn has helped a variety of folks access technology. 52% who benefited from the technology were adults between the ages of 25 and 65, with 36% being under 25 and 12% over the age of 65. As well, 15% of these individuals identified as having a disability. 

The impact of the technology also spans across the umbrella of the LGBTQ+ community with 14% identifying as gay, 13% as straight. 13% as lesbian, 9% as queer, 8% as bisexual, 6% as pansexual, 1% as asexual and 35% described as other, questioning, unsure, or preferred not to disclose. Regarding gender identity, 28% identified as cisgender male, 14% as cisgender female, 10% as transgender female, 9% as transgender male, 8% as non-binary / gender non-conforming / agender / genderqueer, 1% as two-spirit, and 29% as other, questioning, unsure or preferred not to disclose. As well, 2% of these individuals identified as intersex. 

Individual Tech Grant

In 2025, PowerOn granted $18,200 worth of technology to 58 individuals for personal use including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. 59% of our grantees were adults between 25 and 65 years old, 26% were between 16 and 25, and 7% were over the age of 65. 32% of these individuals identified as queer, 16% as bisexual, 13% as lesbian, 11% as straight, 7% as gay, pansexual, asexual or other. 33% of these individuals identified as non-binary / gender non-conforming / agender / genderqueer, 23% as cisgender female, 15% as transgender female, 10% transgender male, 8% cisgender male, 3% two-spirit and 8% other, questioning, unsure, or preferred not to disclose. As well, 72% of our grant recipients identified as having a disability and 12% identified as intersex.

Community Tech Grant

The PowerOn Community Tech Grant was designed to meet the tech needs of our PowerOn Partner Centers. With a deeper understanding of the critical reliance on technology for center operations and client resources, this grant provides the technology necessary to support community centers and their staff in their work serving the LGBTQ+ community.

This year, we granted devices to 44 centers accepted from 21 states and territories. We distributed approximately $128,020 worth of technology, including 123 laptops, 51 tablets, 35 desktops, 21 cell phones, and 34 printers. Grantees will submit quarterly impact reports beginning in November.

Individual Tech Grant

The PowerOn Individual Tech Grant provides life-saving and life-changing technology (cell phones, tablets, and laptops) to LGBTQ+ individuals for personal use. A phone, tablet, or laptop is essential for completing schoolwork, applying for jobs, staying in touch with friends and family, and accessing vital online services like healthcare. While essential, these devices are often out of reach for many. PowerOn's Individual Tech Grant provides the LGBTQ+ community with the technology it needs to survive and thrive.

This year we received 240 applications for the PowerOn Individual Tech Grant, totally nearly $100,000 in requested technology. We selected 51 applicants to receive a technology grant. Grantees plan to use their PowerOn devices to search and apply for jobs, pursue educational opportunities, obtain stable housing, communicate with case managers, access physical and mental health resources, start businesses and passion projects, create art, and more.

Links:

• Learn more about PowerOn
• Learn more about LGBT Tech