• About the LINC Project
• Contact LINC
• LINC Staff
• What is a Circuit Rider
• A Circuit Rider Case Study
• Closing the Digital Divide
• National Center for Law and Economic Justice
• Recent Projects
• Press Clips

Support our work with a
tax deductable donation:
LINC is a project of
the National Center for Law and Economic Justice.

The National Center for Law and Economic Justice's Low-Income Networking and Communications (LINC) Project is a nationally recognized initiative to enable low-income grassroots groups to use technology strategically to advance campaigns on economic security issues and to build their members' leadership and computer technology skills.

Current support for the LINC Project comes from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Additional support comes from funds raised by low-income groups to secure LINC services.

Since 1998, the LINC Project has collaborated with dozens of grassroots organizations to build the technology capacity of community-based anti-poverty groups across the country, enabling organizers and low-income women to participate in public policy debates, be informed, reach new allies, educate communities, share strategies and participate collectively in the democratic process. To date LINC has served some 40 groups in 18 states and four national and regional coalitions.

Our work encompasses three primary components: technological capacity building, communication infrastructure and collaboration with intermediaries.

STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGICAL CAPACITY BUILDING. LINC uses the Circuit Rider model developed by the non-profit community to deliver technology assistance to low-income groups and coalitions. Our Circuit Riders blend technology and organizing skills and "evangelize" the use of technology in organizing and advocacy. During multi-day site visits and extensive consultation, they guide each participating group through an assessment of its technology capacity, then develop and implement a technology strategy that is tailored to each group's goals and needs. LINC Circuit Riders currently provide three levels of technology assistance:

• Specialized Technology Projects That Directly Strengthen Groups' Activities include projects to 1) increase low-income members' access to computers by deploying older donated computers with a stable and free operating system; 2) promote deeper integration of databases into groups; and 3) allow groups to maintain and update their websites with accessible and user-friendly tools.
• Assistance to Increase Groups' Overall Technology Capacity aims to ensure that groups acquire and maintain basic technology capacity. LINC services typically include networking of computers, equipping all staff with email and internet access and providing basic training and ongoing support.
• General Technology Education Delivered at Conferences and Workshops and Through Practical Written Materials allows LINC Circuit Riders to reach a broader community of non-profits and grassroots groups with our message about the potential for strategic use of technology. These efforts provide an opportunity to showcase the creative work being done by low income groups. LINC also develops user-friendly Technology Tips for novice technology users and disseminates them via the LINC website and in print

AN EASY-TO-USE COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE. The LINC Project email lists foster discussion, information exchange and collaboration among a wide network of grassroots groups across the country. LINC also hosts numerous email lists for the groups and coalitions we serve. The Project's website (www.lincproject.org) provides access to information about low-income groups and their activities, including a unique directory of low-income groups. It also includes a wealth of practical technology education material developed by LINC Circuit Riders for grassroots groups and case studies examining how groups have applied LINC's capacity-building services.

COLLABORATION WITH INTERMEDIARIES. LINC seeks opportunities to partner with other non-profit technology assistance providers, funders and capacity-building groups to advance our work. Through these efforts we expand the resources available to LINC groups, deliver general technology education, and identify innovative and effective technology applications and strategies that enrich the services we deliver to LINC groups.

Advisory Groups: The LINC Project receives advice and feedback from the Low-Income Advisory Group and the Technology Advisory Group.

For information about technology projects and/or workshops for grassroots groups contact the LINC Project

Download a May 2003 PDF of the LINC description..