In response to the nation's economic challenges, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), with the National Center for Media Engagement (NCME, formerly NCO), is providing funding to help public television and radio stations help their community members to:
- Understand the causes and manifestations of the nation's economic downturn, and how their own region or city is impacted;
- Become aware of available resources within their own communities that can help to address or forestall their individual economic concerns, and take advantage of these resources in greater numbers;
- Have opportunities to contribute to a shared dialogue addressing community economic issues.
The Engaging Communities on the Economy Grants may be used by stations to convene civic leaders, community groups and citizens in productive dialogue - in person, on-air or online - addressing regional and local economic issues. Grants may be used to plan or conduct collaborative projects in response to identified community needs related to the financial crisis (e.g., joblessness, bankruptcies, credit card debt).
Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000; CPB expects to award 20 to 40 grants.