University of Kwazulu-Natal

Benton Foundation Benton Institute For Broadband Society

Bonisiwe Shabane
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benton foundation benton institute for broadband society

Learn About the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act In the absence of federal leadership, state governments are working to ensure that every household can afford to get and stay connected. We engage in long-term planning and provide practical, day-to-day resources to strengthen the public benefits of broadband, protect democratic values, and communicate why it matters. Our articles are curated by Executive Editor Kevin Taglang who has 30 years of experience in this field. Benton provides the only free, reliable, and non-partisan daily digest that curates and distributes news related to universal broadband, connecting communications, democracy, and the public interest. The daily digest is delivered via email Monday-Friday mornings.

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, until 2019 known as the Benton Foundation, is a nonprofit organization set up by former U.S. Senator William Benton and his wife, Helen Hemingway Benton. Their son, Charles Benton, served as chairman and CEO until his death in 2015.[2] The Benton Foundation was the owner of the Encyclopædia Britannica from 1974 until 1996, when it was bought by Jacqui Safra.[3] The formation of the Benton Foundation was announced at the bicentennial banquet for the Britannica in 1968. The mission of the Foundation was re-vamped somewhat in 1981 by Charles Benton, but it has always focused on using media for the public good, particularly for educational purposes.

Since 2001, Benton is home for the US center for OneWorld.net, a global information service, search engine, and network of organizations working for sustainable development and human rights.[4] The foundation has been most famous for its championing of digital access and for demanding public responsibility by mass media. The Benton Foundation has pushed for a national broadband policy at the highest levels of U.S. government. It has also been pushing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to determine the public interest obligations of digital television broadcasters. Finally, it has sponsored studies that suggest that concentration of media ownership in a few hands is not in the interests of the United States.

The foundation's mission is to realize the social benefits made possible by the public interest use of communications, because the foundation believes that communications in the public interest is essential to a strong democracy. The foundation bridges the worlds of philanthropy, community practice, and public policy. It develops and provides effective information and communication tools and strategies to equip and engage individuals and organizations in the emerging digital and communications environment Email contact available with a Pro subscription Media, Communications Organizations (A30) This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-PF.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2023, 2022 and 2021. Register now The Benton Foundation works to ensure that media and telecommunications serve the public interest and enhance our democracy. We pursue this mission by: 1) seeking policy solutions that support the values of access, diversity and equity; 2) demonstrating the value of media and telecommunications for improving the quality of life for all;... The Benton Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or offer general grants. We are a private operating foundation, an institutional hybrid, bridging the worlds of philanthropy, public policy and community action.

We assume diverse, crosscutting roles as nonpartisan knowledge broker, convener, public interest advocate and policy analyst. The Foundation has an endowment of approximately $10 million, the annual income from which is devoted to our own operating projects. Because of Benton's pioneering work, a number of foundations and corporations have provided additional funding. Celebrating 30 Years With a Focus on the Future Who we are History FAQs Annual Reports Press Room Environmental Policy Diversity Statement Job Openings © 2025 Nonprofit Metrics LLCTerms of Service and Privacy Policy

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, until 2019 known as the Benton Foundation, is a nonprofit organization set up by former U.S. Senator William Benton and his wife, Helen Hemingway Benton. Their son, Charles Benton, served as chairman and CEO until his death in 2015.[2] The Benton Foundation was the owner of the Encyclopædia Britannica from 1974 until 1996, when it was bought by Jacqui Safra.[3] The formation of the Benton Foundation was announced at the bicentennial banquet for the Britannica in 1968. The mission of the Foundation was re-vamped somewhat in 1981 by Charles Benton, but it has always focused on using media for the public good, particularly for educational purposes.

Since 2001, Benton is home for the US center for OneWorld.net, a global information service, search engine, and network of organizations working for sustainable development and human rights.[4] The foundation has been most famous for its championing of digital access and for demanding public responsibility by mass media. The Benton Foundation has pushed for a national broadband policy at the highest levels of U.S. government. It has also been pushing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to determine the public interest obligations of digital television broadcasters. Finally, it has sponsored studies that suggest that concentration of media ownership in a few hands is not in the interests of the United States.

With historic levels of federal funds flowing into states to build broadband infrastructure and implement digital equity plans, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is looking to cultivate a new generation of broadband... To that end, Benton is putting out a call for prospective fellows through its Opportunity Fund Fellowship program, seeking resumes and project proposals focused on identifying obstacles to broadband access. The deadline to submit proposals is August 31. According to Benton Institute's Vice President of Programs Revati Prasad, the questions the program is most interested in exploring are: “What obstacles prevent people from subscribing to broadband? How does the cost of broadband service impact adoption?

Does a concern for privacy and safety dissuade people from using the Internet? How might climate change adversely impact building broadband infrastructure? What national or state policies could delay or disrupt broadband deployment and/or digital equity efforts?” On Tuesday, the non-profit Benton Foundation officially renamed itself the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, elevating the institution’s focus of ensuring that the benefits of advanced broadband networks are felt in every corner... “All Americans should have access to competitiv On Tuesday, the non-profit Benton Foundation officially renamed itself the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, elevating the institution’s focus of ensuring that the benefits of advanced broadband networks are felt in every corner...

“All Americans should have access to competitive, high-performance broadband regardless of where they live or who they are,” said Executive Director Adrianne Furniss. ”Open, affordable, robust broadband is essential for enabling all of us to reach for—and achieve—the American Dream. Our new name squarely reflects our accelerating efforts to advance policies that help ensure broadband opportunities for everyone.” The top priorities of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society are: In a blog post, Furniss wrote on a personal note about her grandfather, the late Sen. William Benton, who in October 1944 articulated a progressive agenda on behalf of a coalition of business leaders that he called “the capitalists who cared enough about the system to save it.” Furniss’ father,...

I wanted to take a moment to reach out and introduce or reintroduce myself as I officially step into the role of Executive Director of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. I started with Benton in May 2022 as the Director for Research, and, for the past year, I’ve served as the Vice President of Programs. So I’m new to this role, but not to Benton or our field. I am excited by this new challenge to lead an organization with Benton’s legacy and impact, and even more grateful to work alongside all of you. We work to ensure all people have the means of communication, of connection. This past week, I had the opportunity to speak with some incredibly smart and dedicated broadband advocates.

My head is still spinning with new ideas about how to connect communities and individuals to all the information and services that the internet delivers so they can thrive in the modern world. What came across clearly to me was that our work—to be a reliable source of information, analysis, and research for you all—is seen and appreciated. Our work also remains urgent and necessary. Against the backdrop of political upheaval, it might be easy to lose sight of why or even if our work matters. We work to ensure all people have the means of communication, of connection. It is often forgotten, but that does not make it any less foundational.

That is the story of infrastructure. Whether it’s bridges or broadband, where, when, and how you build it has implications. We work to make sure those implications serve the public interest. Working with and learning from my colleagues at Benton these past few years has been an incredible gift. I have a special level of appreciation for Adrianne B. Furniss, our indefatigable leader for the past decade, who poured time and trust in our staff and in me.

She built our team and laid a strong foundation. Now we work to build further and make her proud.

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