National Digital Inclusion Alliance

What National Digital Inclusion Alliance does

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), founded in 2016 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that advances digital equity in the United States. NDIA serves a national affiliate network of 2,000+ organizations spanning all 50 states, DC, US territories, and 47 Tribal entities, including nonprofits, libraries, local and state governments, and community-based organizations. Its core programmatic asset is the Digital Navigator Model, a replicable framework for delivering individualized support for affordable connectivity, devices, and digital skills, supported by training workshops, toolkits (Digital Navigator Program Toolkit, Digital Inclusion Coalition Guidebook, State Digital Equity Implementation Manual), and recognition programs (Digital Inclusion Trailblazers, Seven Star Communities). NDIA also convenes the annual Net Inclusion conference (since 2016) and Digital Inclusion Week, and operates four active working groups (Digital Navigator, Coalitions, AI, Indigenous Digital Inclusion) with 400+ members in its largest group.

NDIA does not sell a technology product; rather, it distributes knowledge products, frameworks, and convening services under Creative Commons licenses while operating fee-based services (Hire Us consulting, paid training, conference registration). Its technology surface consists of the Digital Inclusion Impact Aggregator (a web-based program evaluation suite), the Digital Navigator Program Directory (80+ programs listed), and online training delivery infrastructure. Revenue is diversified across federal and state grants (the largest being a $10M Google.org grant in February 2022 for the National Digital Navigator Corps, subsequently supplemented by an NTIA Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant that was terminated in May 2025), fee-based consulting to state and local government clients, training registration ($185/person for Digital Navigator training, $75/person for AI training), Net Inclusion conference registration and sponsorship, and individual donations.

NDIA occupies a recognized national convening and policy-advocacy role, with Executive Director Angela Siefer having delivered congressional testimony three times. The organization is currently defending its funding base following the Digital Equity Act termination by filing a federal lawsuit (October 2025) and pivoting toward alternative legislative vehicles such as the Digital Opportunity Foundation Act of 2026, while expanding its product portfolio into AI literacy training and policy advocacy through the Connectivity Policy Corps launched with Public Knowledge in December 2025.

Name

National Digital Inclusion Alliance

Legal name

National Digital Inclusion Alliance

Website

https://digitalinclusion.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance is a Columbus, OH-based nonprofit that convenes 2,000+ affiliate organizations across all 50 US states to advance digital equity through frameworks, training, policy advocacy, and the Digital Navigator Model for broadband, devices, and digital skills access.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Inclusion Advocacy Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Public Relations Agencies (541820)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Inclusion & Public Tech Access Training (Device/Internet/Basic IT) (EDAAAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Learning, EdTech Enablement & Connectivity for Education (BPADAKAH), Digital Learning Content Development (eLearning, Labs, Simulations) (BPAEANAD), Assistive Technology & Accessible Digital Skills (EDAAAIAK)

Keywords

• Digital inclusion advocacy
• Digital equity programs
• Digital navigator training
• Community broadband access
• Digital skills training

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding (Federal and State): NDIA receives grant funding from federal agencies including NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) under the Digital Equity Act, and previously Google.org. The organization was awarded a Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant from NTIA, later terminated by the Trump administration. Google.org provided a $10 million grant (NDIA's largest to date) for the National Digital Navigator Corps. NDIA also previously received an NTIA grant to expand the Digital Navigator Program. Funding supports program delivery, staff, and sub-grants to partner organizations.
2. Consulting Services (Hire Us): NDIA offers fee-based consulting services for organizations building or revamping digital inclusion programs, building local digital inclusion ecosystems, training digital navigators and program managers, and supporting data-collection and impact measurement. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; services are mission-aligned and include digital equity planning workshops, steering committee facilitation, and technical assistance. Past clients include Massachusetts Broadband Institute, Summit County OH, NeighborWorks America, and MassHire Metro North Workforce Board.
3. Training Fees: NDIA charges registration fees for digital navigator training workshops. The live online digital navigator training costs $185 per person (with a 15% discount for Affiliate+ members), runs 8 hours over two days. AI for Digital Inclusion Providers training is priced at $75 per person with Affiliate+ discount available.
4. Donations and Fundraising: NDIA solicits individual donations through its website, particularly in campaigns such as 'Stand with us to save the Digital Equity Act.' Donors are invited to contribute to protect essential investments advancing digital access, skills, and opportunities.
5. Conference Revenue: Net Inclusion is an annual paid conference. Registration pricing is tiered by organization type and membership status, with NDIA A+ Members receiving a 15% discount. Sponsorship packages are also sold. The conference takes place in Columbus OH with registration and hotel at Hilton Columbus Downtown.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NDIA advances digital equity by convening an affiliate network of 2,000+ digital inclusion organizations and providing them with paid training programs (Digital Navigator Training, AI for Digital Inclusion Providers Training), an annual national conference (Net Inclusion), consulting services for digital equity planning, and a free, Creative Commons–licensed library of practitioner toolkits, frameworks, and policy advocacy resources (including the Digital Navigator Model, Digital Inclusion Impact Aggregator, and State Digital Equity Implementation Manual).

Product overview

National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) is a non-profit organization that advances digital equity through a portfolio of interconnected programs, resources, and events. The core offerings center on the Digital Navigator Model—a replicable framework for providing holistic digital skills and access assistance—supported by training programs, toolkits, and practitioner resources. NDIA provides policy advocacy tools including Digital Equity Act advocacy resources, the Connectivity Policy Corps for policy engagement, and programs for evaluating digital inclusion impact. Recognition programs include Digital Inclusion Trailblazers for local governments and Seven Star Communities for Tribal entities. The organization hosts annual events including Digital Inclusion Week and the Net Inclusion conference, while also offering the Honor Roll of Low-Cost Internet Plans and Low-Cost Plan Model to address broadband affordability. AI capabilities are incorporated through dedicated training programs that integrate AI literacy into digital skills curricula.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Net Inclusion: Annual national conference bringing together practitioners, advocates, academics, internet service providers, and policymakers to share knowledge and discuss digital equity policies and programming.
• Digital Inclusion Week
• Seven Star Communities
• Digital Inclusion Trailblazers
• Connectivity Policy Corps
• National Digital Navigator Corps

Quantifiable outcome

• 30,000 people were weeks from receiving digital navigator services through NDIA's DEA Competitive Grant across 11 states before termination
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Public KnowledgecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025NDIA and Public Knowledge jointly launched the Connectivity Policy Corps (CPC) in December 2025, a program involving 18 digital inclusion advocate organizations across 14 states to influence broadband and digital inclusion policies at local, state, and federal levels. The program provides advocacy training, tools, and engagement with policymakers including Congress, the FCC, and NTIA.
• AMERIND Critical InfrastructurecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMERIND Critical Infrastructure, a Tribally owned and operated entity providing solutions for Tribal broadband deployment, partnered with NDIA to develop the Seven Star Communities program recognizing Native entities for excellence in digital inclusion. AMERIND and NDIA also collaborate on the Indigenous Digital Inclusion Working Group. AMERIND assists Tribes in planning, building, and financing modern community broadband networks.
• WinstonNet (North Carolina)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDIA partnered with WinstonNet in North Carolina to incorporate AI lessons into the 'Technology Skills for Life and Employment' course, a 30-hour five-week course offering basic digital skills topics. This pilot explored diverse strategies for incorporating AI into existing digital skills curricula and demonstrated that core digital skills topics have natural integration points for AI learning.
• Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDIA partnered with SOAR in Eastern Kentucky to launch a pilot program integrating AI into SOAR's digital skills programs for job seekers. The curriculum prepares job seekers to interact with AI tools employers may use for screening and interviewing, and focuses on safe and effective use of AI for resume development.
• National Digital Equity Center (NDEC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDIA partnered with NDEC in Maine to integrate AI into its course offerings supporting individuals developing digital skills for job search. The curriculum helps students understand job search platforms, develop resumes, and use AI tools to support the writing process.
• Carroll Technology and Innovation CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDIA cites Carroll Technology and Innovation Council as a partner organization whose Executive Director Molly Sherman contributed perspective on integrating AI as both a digital skill and a thinking tool in digital skills programs, noting AI helps learners organize thoughts, test ideas, and work through complex tasks.
• Microsoft and AARPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDIA collaborated with Microsoft and AARP to provide resources to support states in creating and implementing digital equity plans under the Digital Equity Act. These resources were part of NDIA's state support portfolio.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EveryoneOn: National nonprofit focused on closing the digital divide by connecting low-income Americans with affordable internet, devices, and digital skills training. Directly comparable mission and target population to NDIA's digital inclusion work, with overlapping training, device access, and ISP partnership programs.
• Digital Promise: Nonprofit that works at the intersection of education and technology to expand equitable access to digital learning. Comparable in operating as a national convener producing frameworks and resources for practitioners, with a similar mission of advancing digital equity through education.
• SHLB Coalition (Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband): National coalition advocating for broadband capacity and digital inclusion at anchor institutions (schools, libraries, health providers). Highly comparable to NDIA's Connectivity Policy Corps work and digital navigator program focus on libraries and community organizations as delivery channels.
• Public Knowledge: Public interest advocacy group working on telecommunications and digital rights policy. Co-launch partner with NDIA on the Connectivity Policy Corps; directly comparable on broadband affordability and equity advocacy targeting FCC, Congress, and NTIA.
• World Education, Inc. Nonprofit specializing in adult education, digital literacy, and digital skills training for underserved populations. Comparable in adult digital skills curriculum development, training delivery, and federal grant-funded program models (e.g., DEA-era programs).
• National Digital Equity Center (NDEC): Maine-based nonprofit providing digital literacy training and digital navigator services to underserved populations across the US. Direct peer in digital navigator program delivery; NDIA actively partners with NDEC on AI literacy curriculum integration.

Broad incumbents

• Internet Society: Global nonprofit focused on the open development, evolution, and use of the internet. Comparable policy advocacy on internet access and digital inclusion at a broader international scale, with overlapping concerns on affordability and digital equity.
• ConnectHomeUSA: HUD program connecting HUD-assisted residents to affordable internet, devices, and digital training. Comparable target population and digital inclusion mission; operates as a federally anchored initiative rather than an independent nonprofit, making it a broader incumbent peer.

Emerging players

• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free IT training and career pathways to individuals from underserved communities. Comparable in building digital skills for employment outcomes, though more narrowly focused on IT certification rather than general digital inclusion.
• Connect Humanity: Fund and advocacy organization working to close the digital divide globally through community-led connectivity. Comparable mission and digital equity framing, though focuses more on international broadband infrastructure funding than US-centric digital navigator service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/netinclusion
• Facebookfacebook.com/netinclusion

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments15 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Digital Inclusion Alliance