A Connected Planet Foundation
We are a lean 501(c)(3) nonprofit powered by consultants, educators, and volunteers who have worked across classrooms, NGOs, and government programs worldwide. We bring real-world experience to every project — and we stay until the job is done right.
Founded on a Simple Belief
A Connected Planet was co-founded in 2012 by Greg Hearne and Dr. Sheila Hearne with a simple belief: that access to information and technology is not a luxury — it is a right. What began as a mission to bring digital tools to underserved communities has grown into a multi-faceted foundation working across Appalachian classrooms and international partner nations.
Dr. Sheila Hearne, our beloved co-founder, passed away and left behind a legacy of compassion, purpose, and relentless dedication to the communities she served. Her spirit guides everything we do.
Read our Mission & PurposeThree Areas of Focus
Education & Micro-Grants
Our Appalachia Advancement Aid (AAA) Micro-Grants Program puts direct funding into the hands of Title I school teachers across Appalachian communities — for technology, books, and classroom resources that make a real difference.
Learn moreTechnology Integration
We design and deploy offline-capable learning platforms, mobile apps, and digital tools for schools and communities with limited connectivity — built to work in the real world, not just ideal conditions.
Learn moreForeign Partner Engagement
Through our CENTCOM partnerships, we configure enterprise information-sharing systems and deliver training to partner nations — building the capacity for sustained, independent operations.
Learn moreOur Core Values
Information Is a Right
Whether it's a child in Appalachia needing quality learning materials or a partner nation needing critical operational data, access to information changes lives. We believe no community should be left behind because of geography or resources.
Configure & Teach
We don't just deploy technology and leave. We configure systems to fit real needs and train the people who use them — so the tools actually get used, and the impact lasts long after we're gone.
People First
Technology is only as good as the people behind it. We invest in training, capacity building, and long-term relationships — not just infrastructure. Communities, not devices, are our measure of success.
Mission-Driven
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, every dollar we earn through fee-based work goes back into our humanitarian programs. Profit is a means, not an end — and every decision we make reflects that.
Explore More
Learn more about our work, our people, and how you can get involved.