More Than $1.2 Million Donated in North Carolina Since 2021 Through After School Access Project

After donating more than $1.2 million in wireless hotspots and connectivity to nonprofit organizations in North Carolina since 2021, UScellular is extending its pledge to help connect youth in 2023. Nationally, the company is committing up to $13 million in new funding to address the “homework gap” among youth who lack access to reliable internet outside the classroom in the United States. 

UScellular’s After School Access Project provides mobile hotspots and two years of service to nonprofits that support youth after the school day has ended and offers safe internet access for homework and education. To date, the company has donated more than $12 million supporting over 100 organizations with hotspots and service nationwide. 

“We are greatly appreciative of UScellular’s more than $1.2 million donation to help close the homework gap for North Carolina’s youth,” said Annette Taylor, director of the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Office of Digital Equity and Literacy. “These funds will help our state’s children access high-speed internet at home so they can continue learning, complete their homework, and build the foundation for successful careers.” 

Many nonprofit organizations in North Carolina have benefitted from After School Access Project, including: 
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Carolina North Carolina in Sanford 
• Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina in Oxford 
• Building Hope Community Life Center in Greenville 
• Citizens on the Southside Together in Aurora 
• Boys & Girls Club of Wayne County in Goldsboro 
• YWCA Asheville and Western North Carolina in Asheville 
• YWCA Lower Cape Fear in Wilmington 
• Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County in Hendersonville 
• Remedy of Community Needs Ministries in Turkey 
• Brigade Boys & Girls Club in Wilmington 
• Beloved Asheville in Asheville 
• Brigade Boys & Girls Club in Wilmington 
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region in Rocky Mount 

“We are thrilled to continue our commitment to connect youth here in North Carolina to what matters most,” said Jeremy Taylor, director of retail sales and operations for UScellular in eastern North Carolina. “After School Access Project is just one way that we’re helping students have the reliable access they need to grow and pursue their dreams. We encourage North Carolina nonprofit organizations to apply and help us bring reliable wireless internet access to youth across our great state.” 

Nonprofit organizations who meet the following criteria are welcomed to apply at afterschoolaccessproject.com: 
- Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations 
- Operate within UScellular’s service area 
- Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade 
- Not a school or government entity 

UScellular is focused on addressing gaps in STEM education and is committed to connecting more than 200,000 of tomorrow’s innovators each year with the resources they need today to help shape future opportunities. Since 2009, UScellular has invested more than $35 million in monetary donations, technology resources and countless experiences to nonprofit organizations across the country. 

For more information about UScellular’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, visit https://newsroom.uscellular.com/community/ 
 

About UScellular
UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to help customers stay connected to the things that matter most. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. Through its After School Access Project, the company has pledged to provide hotspots and service to help up to 50,000 youth connect to reliable internet. Additionally, UScellular has price protected all of its plans, promising not to increase prices through at least the end of 2024. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com.