Compudopt: Digital Skill Builders

The Digital Skill Builders program addresses the pervasive issue of the digital divide and the lack of digital literacy among adults. These include displaced workers, career changers, and those re-entering the workforce or adapting to evolving workplace technology. According to recent studies, approximately 30% of U.S. adults over the age of 40 lack basic digital skills, and this percentage is even higher in underserved communities.

In today’s technology-driven world, many workers in this demographic struggle to meet the demands of modern workplaces, as they lack proficiency in using computers, the internet, and digital communication tools. This digital skills gap limits their employment opportunities, career advancement potential, and ability to engage with online services essential for daily living.

The scale of the problem is significant. Factors contributing to this problem include limited access to affordable technology, inadequate digital education resources, and the rapid pace of technological change that leaves many mid- and late-career adults unable to keep up. These challenges disproportionately affect individuals in low-income households,  underrepresented groups, and those transitioning careers or re-entering the workforce after a period of unemployment.

The Digital Skill Builders program equips participants with the tools they need to succeed in the workforce and beyond.

The Digital Skill Builders program is a hands-on digital literacy initiative empowering adult learners with essential computer and internet skills. Delivered through an 8-module curriculum, it starts with foundational skills like navigating computers and progresses to practical applications such as job searching, creating resumes, and managing everyday tasks online.

Participants learn to use email safely, practice online safety, and master Google Workspace tools for communication and productivity. The program also teaches how to schedule appointments, manage finances, and access online education resources. Each in-person module includes step-by-step guidance led by trained facilitators, ensuring learners build confidence and competence.

To ensure accessibility, the program is conducted in community settings with no-cost participation. At the end of the program, participants receive a free laptop and internet connectivity enabling them to apply their skills immediately and continue their digital journey. Our solution also includes complete Digital Navigation Services including 2-years of tech support and a 2-year warranty on their equipment. This comprehensive approach equips individuals with the tools needed for professional growth and improved quality of life.

The Digital Skill Builders program serves adults in mid- and late-career stages, particularly individuals from underserved and underrepresented communities. These include displaced workers, career changers, and those re-entering the workforce or adapting to evolving workplace technology. Many participants face challenges such as limited access to technology, outdated skills, and difficulty navigating online tools.

These individuals are often overlooked in workforce development programs, which tend to focus on younger populations or those with advanced technical knowledge. As a result, they face barriers to accessing job opportunities, engaging in professional growth, and fully participating in the digital economy.

The program directly addresses these needs by providing accessible, hands-on training that builds foundational digital skills and practical applications for work and daily life. Participants gain confidence in their ability to use technology, enhancing their employability and fostering independence. By the end of the program, graduates are equipped with a laptop and internet, ensuring ongoing access to the tools they need to succeed. This transformative impact bridges the digital divide, enabling participants to improve their quality of life, secure better job opportunities, and achieve long-term economic mobility.

We recognize that our communities are best served when the diversity of the populations we support is reflected within our organization, and our programs and practices are informed, culturally sensitive, and responsive. Our team includes members who share lived experiences with the populations we serve, ensuring a deep understanding of their challenges and needs.

To ensure we meet local needs effectively, we prioritize listening first. By engaging community stakeholders before implementing solutions, we amplify the voices of those we serve, fostering a deeper understanding of their specific needs and affirming our commitment to inclusive, thoughtful action. For example, during program design, we hosted focus groups with community members to identify barriers to digital literacy and gather input on curriculum development. Feedback from these sessions shaped the program’s content and delivery, ensuring its relevance and accessibility.

Furthermore, our facilitators often come from the same communities as participants, creating a relatable and supportive learning environment. This proximity to the target population enhances trust, engagement, and program effectiveness. By embedding community insights into every aspect of our work, we ensure the Digital Skill Builders program remains impactful and responsive to evolving needs.

We selected the "Scale" stage because Compudopt’s Adult Digital Skill Builder program is already operational in multiple communities, and we are actively working to expand its reach and impact. We have successfully built and tested a model that provides underserved adults with essential digital skills, job readiness tools, and access to devices. 

Our program has been tested in various community settings, including partnerships with local workforce development agencies, schools, and nonprofit organizations. We have also distributed hundreds of refurbished devices to participants, ensuring they have the tools to apply the skills learned. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting increased confidence in their ability to navigate technology and secure jobs.

The solution is designed to be flexible, allowing us to replicate and adapt it to other communities and regions. We are confident that with additional resources, we can increase program efficiency and scale it significantly to reach more adults in underserved areas.

Compudopt Digital Skill Building Classes

The Digital Skill Builders program stands out due to its comprehensive and accessible approach. Its structured curriculum ensures participants progress from foundational digital skills to practical applications tailored to both professional and personal needs. By addressing everyday tasks alongside workplace skills, the program provides a holistic learning experience.

Accessibility is central to the program’s innovation. It is offered in community settings with no-cost participation, and every graduate receives a laptop, ensuring long-term access to technology. What truly makes Compudopt stand out is how we bring our programs directly to the community. Unlike many nonprofits that require families to travel to a specific site, we go wherever the kids are—schools, apartment complexes, community centers, and even churches. This eliminates transportation barriers, which can be a major challenge in the cities we serve. Our programs are also offered in Spanish, making them more accessible to families who may otherwise be left out.

Additionally, the program’s scalability allows for adaptation to meet evolving community and industry needs. This forward-thinking approach, combined with a commitment to digital inclusion, empowers participants to succeed in today’s technology-driven world while promoting greater socioeconomic mobility.

We are the only nonprofit in the country that offers a complete direct-service digital equity solution that’s completely free to our families. There are a number of organizations that provide refurbished computers and programs to families who qualify; however, require families to pay a fee. 

At Compudopt, impact measurement goes beyond outputs; it’s about understanding how our programs bridge the digital divide. Guided by our Theory of Change—which states that access to technology and digital skills creates pathways to economic opportunity—our Impact Team evaluates programs to ensure they create meaningful, lasting change. Compudopt’s programs systematically gather data at multiple touchpoints for Digital Skills Builder we use pre/post surveys, attendance tracking, and focus groups to measure learning outcomes. Below are our impact goals for Digital Skill Builders. 

80% increase their digital skill proficiency level (% change increase)
80% complete the program with a minimum 80% attendance rate
70% report improved proficiency in digital skills
60% report they feel comfortable using a computer to support a job search
60% report they feel comfortable using a computer to support daily activities and meet essential needs
90% indicate the digital skills learned in the program help them meet their personal and/or professional goal

Using both quantitative and qualitative data, the team supports decision-making, operational improvements, and accountability for stakeholders like funders and partners. Insights from continuous evaluation refine strategies, optimize delivery, and extend our reach to underserved communities.

26 Full Time

8 Part Time

Compudopt has been offering Digital Skill Builders since the summer of 2022. The program was first offered only in Houston, Texas, and expanded to Dallas shortly after. Most recently, this Fall 2024 we offered Digital Skill Builders in 17 different cities.

We believe that our communities are best served when the diversity of the populations we support is reflected within our organization, and when our programs and practices are informed, culturally sensitive, and responsive to local needs.

To achieve this, we prioritize listening first. By engaging with community stakeholders before implementing solutions, we amplify the voices of those we serve. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of their specific needs and reinforces our commitment to inclusive and thoughtful action.

We are also focused on strengthening and formalizing our diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) practices. This includes codifying successful strategies to ensure consistency across all locations while identifying and addressing areas for growth. By cultivating an inclusive culture that values and celebrates diversity, we embed these principles across all aspects of our work

Our organization deeply values the diversity of thought, experiences, backgrounds, and identities that each employee brings. To further amplify these values, we are actively working to build a culture that exemplifies inclusivity both internally and externally. As part of this commitment, we conducted a staff survey to assess diversity within our hiring, promotion, and compensation practices. While the majority of staff felt these practices were fair, we took their feedback seriously and developed a comprehensive action plan in response.

Key initiatives from this plan include: Enhancing recruitment and screening processes to attract diverse talent. Implementing a merit-based pay structure. Increasing diversity within our C-suite leadership roles. Conducting an equity analysis across all positions and employees, resulting in pay adjustments for undercompensated staff.

Through these actions, we aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where all team members feel valued and supported.

Compudopt’s Adult Digital Skill Builder program provides essential technology education to underserved adults, empowering them to improve their digital literacy, secure better job opportunities, and enhance their overall quality of life.

Our primary beneficiaries are adults in low-income communities who lack access to digital education and resources. 

Our curriculum covers basic to intermediate digital skills, including navigating the internet, using email, applying for jobs online, understanding privacy and cybersecurity, and using essential productivity software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace).

We provide practical training on building resumes, applying for jobs online, and preparing for virtual interviews. This service equips adults with the skills necessary to effectively participate in the modern job market.

Participants are provided with free refurbished laptops, internet access or other digital devices, ensuring they have the tools to apply the skills they’ve learned and continue their job search or education. Additionally, our program offers ongoing Digital Navigation Services to guide participants through their digital journey. 

We tailor our services to meet the unique needs of the communities we serve, offering flexible scheduling and accessible locations. We partner with community organizations, workforce development agencies, and local businesses to deliver the program. The community-based organization offers the space and helps recruit participants for the program while Compudopt provides the trainers, equipment, and supplies.

Our programs are funded through a mix of corporate sponsorships, grants, philanthropic donations, and contributions from our community and business partners. In order to offer a program within a community we must secure funding first. We work in collaboration with local corporations, foundations, and other nonprofits to identify opportunities for funding within that specific community.

Compudopt’s Adult Digital Skill Builder program creates lasting impact by equipping adults with the skills needed to succeed in a digitally-driven world.

We have established strong partnerships with new corporate and foundation supporters who embrace Compudopt’s mission. These relationships have enabled us to expand quickly, positioning Compudopt as the nation’s largest comprehensive technology solution for underserved children and families—at no cost to them.

Our strategy prioritizes developing a diverse funding mix that includes individuals, corporations, and foundations. By fostering meaningful relationships, we provide opportunities for support through financial contributions, in-kind computer donations, and volunteer hours. Each contribution not only helps offset expenses but also strengthens community and donor engagement. This approach is further enhanced by our national office, which allows us to collaborate with a broader network of Compudopt sites, opening doors to larger-scale funding opportunities.
 
In addition, we are a recipient of government funding and we plan to pursue additional funding, particularly as federal priorities around connectivity and digital literacy translate into state and municipal grant opportunities. We are committed to being active participants in these efforts—offering input, providing expertise, and advocating for services that bridge the digital divide.

We are applying to the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards to expand and enhance Compudopt’s Adult Digital Skill Builder program. Our mission is to equip underserved adults with essential digital skills to improve their employment opportunities and quality of life. With the support of the Truist Foundation and MIT Solve, we aim to scale our impact and address critical barriers limiting access to digital education and resources for our target population.

Partnering with the Truist Foundation and MIT Solve would bring valuable funding, resources, and networking opportunities to our organization. The financial support would enable us to provide more devices, expand our curriculum, and offer additional mentorship to participants. These resources would help us overcome a key barrier: securing consistent funding for technology and program growth.

The mentorship and connections from MIT Solve would allow us to refine and scale our solution, offering access to industry experts and potential partners who can help us improve and expand our reach. Additionally, the recognition from the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards would raise awareness of our program, attracting new partners, donors, and collaborators.

By working with Truist Foundation and MIT Solve, we can overcome operational challenges, enhance the quality of our services, and ensure that more adults in underserved communities gain the digital skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce. This partnership would significantly accelerate the growth and sustainability of our program, enabling us to make a lasting impact on the communities we serve.