The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently commissioned an exclusive survey, conducted by Clarion Research, asking over 350 nonprofit leaders about their approaches to technology, the challenges they face implementing it, and the promise they see it holds. The findings reveal a sector at a crossroads, where organizations that can afford to modernize are pulling ahead, while those that can’t fear being left behind entirely. Key takeaways:
Generative AI systems are increasingly being employed globally, bringing with them both tremendous promise and substantial potential for harm. As is often the case, governance initiatives are lagging behind technological diffusion.
Things can change quickly in technology and telecommunications. And that is certainly the case at the Federal Communications Commission this week! I want to express my thanks and appreciation to Commissioner Starks and Commissioner Simington for their public service, as both have announced today that they will be departing the FCC by the end of the week. I wish them all the best in their next endeavors. But, as the saying goes, the show must go on.
Although Phileas Fogg famously traveled around the world in 80 days, at a Senate Appropriations hearing, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick outlined a more ambitious task: completing Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding by the end of 2025. Secretary Lutnick floated a new notice of funding opportunity (known as an NOFO) for the BEAD program with requirements for states to be “tech agnostic” or “tech neutral” and nevertheless claimed final awards could go out before the end of the year. The details remain scarce.
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks announced that he will leave the agency on June 6, 2025. Commissioner Starks had previously announced his intention to step down from his role. "Serving as a Commissioner has been the highlight of my career. I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved together. I want to thank my team, and all of the parties that work alongside the Commission—from industry to public sector advocates—for their collaboration and partnership. Most importantly, I want to thank the staff of the Commission—in my opinion, the very best of public servants.
In testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested plans to issue a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) asked, “Do you agree that it would be a huge waste of money and a disservice to Americans who need reliable internet service to restart a bidding and proposal process?” Sec Lutnick responded by saying, “The Biden administration had 30 months [for BEAD] and they did nothing.” He then suggested a new proposal process that would take 90 days.
Danville Telecom announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to become a wholly owned subsidiary of ImOn Communications, a rapidly growing broadband provider based in Cedar Rapids (IA). The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals. The acquisition of Danville Telecom will enable ImOn to build upon Danville’s existing fiber assets and more rapidly expand next-generation services to both homes and businesses in Burlington, Fort Madison, and Keokuk. The transaction is expected to close in 2025.
EchoStar is skipping another interest payment as it awaits the conclusion of a review by the Federal Communications Commission.The Englewood (CO) owner of Dish TV and Boost Mobile said it wouldn’t make a $183 million cash interest payment related to its Dish DBS company. The missed payment comes after the company said it elected not to make a $326 million interest payment related to its spectrum business. EchoStar said it isn’t making these payments because of uncertainty surrounding an FCC review.
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