The work directly conducted by the Vermont Digital Economy project staff and partners was augmented by targeted strategic assistance from IBM, through the deployment of IBM Service Grants which contributed matching funds to the project. Introduced in 2010, IBM Services Grants enable recipient not-for-profit organizations to enhance their IT infrastructure, leadership, and technology skills.

The project leveraged IBM consultant expertise in strategic planning and other areas to advance key internet solutions to statewide challenges. Some ways that we used this important resource include:

• Use of social media, with an emphasis on organizing volunteers and leveraging local resources for critical organizations.
• Marketing strategies in support of the public libraries’ role in connecting community members to online resources to help guide the state library systems work to transform as 21st Century communications centers.
• Disaster risk and resiliency planning services for nonprofit organizations.