The GTOPs program was designed in 2001 by the Telecommunications Commission to support digital technology projects that show promise of benefiting our community.

The goals of GTOPs are to:

Support programs that provide public access to computers and information technology, especially among underserved segments of our community.

Support programs that provide information technology literacy, education, and training.

Support programs that use information and communication technologies in innovative ways that serve the community.

Provide seed funding for Austin community and non-profit organizations for their technological outreach efforts.

In the past 10 years, GTOPs awarded over $1,000,000 in grants.

The grantees raised more than $2.3 million dollars matching funds including 24,000 volunteer hours, $1 million in-kind donations and $820,000 cash match.

The success rate averaged 122%

More than 21,754 individuals were served by a variety of programs including training in basic through advanced computer skills, media production, Internet accessibility and micro enterprise management.

The Austin City Council allocated funding in the amount of $175,000 for Fiscal Year 2011-12.

The Austin City Council allocated funding in the amount of $150,000 for Fiscal Year 20010-11, a citizen Grant Review Board presented GTOPs award recommendations to nine Austin-area non-profits to the Austin Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission. The awards are as follows;

Austin Children’s Museum - Award of $15,000
GTOPs will support the TECLab, a technology-based after-school program for low-income students. During the 2011-12 academic year Austin Children’s Museum plans to expand this GTOPs-funded pilot program to several AISD Title-One schools allowing us to increase the number of underserved youth receiving this innovative multimedia technology programming.

Austin Learning Academy - Award of $18,000
GTOPs will provide funding to the Distance Learning Project, an innovative technology program that expands and enhances educational services to underserved areas of Austin. The project addresses barriers such as childcare and transportation that prevent adults from fully participating in adult education programs.

Austin Speech Labs - Award of $24,850.00
GTOPs will provide funding for alternate communication, cognitive skills and verbal skills training through intensive speech language therapy using computers for underserved and uninsured stroke and brain injured survivors across different levels of severity. ASL’s goal is to help stroke survivors express ideas and thoughts and re-engage in their society.

Breakthrough - Award of $20,000.00
GTOPs will support the Technology Access for School Success Initiative, integrating supported, dependable computer access in a year-round program to promote school success.

Goodwill - Award of $15,000.00
GTOPs will support Technology 101 program, fostering digital inclusion of people with disabilities in our community by providing vocationally-oriented computer classes. Leveraging existing assistive equipment, a full-time technology skills trainer will assist individuals and small groups with increasing their knowledge of technology.

Knowbility - Award of $6,700.00
GTOPs will support the Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR) Austin program, improving access to technology for children and adults with disabilities. AIR Austin will raise public awareness and skills within the Austin community about how and why to include people with disabilities in technology opportunities.

Latinitas - Award of $18,171.00
GTOPs will support Latinitas in its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) campaign, Part Dos. This GTOPs funded project launches the first on-site workshops at Latinitas’, “Los Viejos” technology training for the elderly, the addition of a winter session of Latinitas’ media and technology day camps, new professional job development/ technology trainings for program staff; more STEM related activities incorporating more use of web software and cell phone internet access.

Skillpoint Alliance - Award of $15,000.00
GTOPs will support the Mobile Computer Training Center, expanding Skillpoint’s Gateway and Community Technology Training Center (CTTC) programs to reach more participants throughout Austin and ensure participants have the technology skills needed to succeed in the 21st century.

Webb MS Family Resource Center - Award of $17,279.00
GTOPs will support the Adult Technology Program at Webb Middle School, using three classes (Plaza Communitarias, Computer Literacy and the Right Question Project in an innovative blend of curriculum and technology to help very challenged families towards long-term stability in a community setting.