Three non-profit organisations in the UK have been selected to receive financial support from the member communities and industry advisory councils of CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the information technology (IT) industry and workforce. The 2023 award recipients were announced at ChannelCon 2023, the technology industry’s premier annual conference for vendor-neutral collaboration, innovative ideas and actionable advice.
The UK-based recipients selected for financial backing include Apps for Good, who are expected to receive over £7,000 ($10,000 USD). Apps for Good are an education technology charity dedicated to helping young people thrive in technology. The charity offers free innovation courses to schools in the UK to help young people from all backgrounds develop computing and essential skills for brighter futures through technology.
TeenTech Charity, an award-winning charity dedicated to supporting young people in gaining skills, experiences and connections to guide them into their careers were also selected to receive financial support. The organisation, which will receive over £3,000 ($5,000 USD), helps people ages 8-18 in the UK and Europe understand their potential and the opportunities available in the science, technology and engineering industries.
The Cyber Helpline, a charity which provides free expert help for victims of cybercrime and online harm, were selected to receive a funding of over £11,000 ($15,000 USD). The charity supports victims through a free 24/7 self-help service and links them with cybersecurity experts and resources.
Apart from the UK organisations, the prominent advocate in the IT ecosystem has chosen eight firms from five additional countries to receive funding. A total of over £100,000 ($130,000 USD) was awarded to organisations in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the Netherlands. In the past 11 years, CompTIA’s member communities and industry advisory councils have supported more than 70 organisations around the world with over £1.1 million (approximately $1.5 million) in charitable giving.
“This year’s group of charities is the perfect example of how technology can be used to solve challenges and create brighter futures across the globe,” said M.J. Shoer, chief community officer, CompTIA. “CompTIA and its member communities and councils are proud to support their work to build a stronger, more diverse technology industry and a better world.”
Contributions made by CompTIA’s member communities, advisory councils and the CompTIA Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (ISAO) support local communities and improve education, access to resources and career options for individuals in need. Organisations outside of the UK receiving donations this year include the following:
Accelerating Aotearoa Incorporated aims to unlock local technology potential and enhance entrepreneurial mindsets through digital and traditional learning programs across New Zealand. ($5,000 USD)
Ignite Worldwide, headquartered in Mountlake Terrace, Wash., aims to achieve gender equity in STEM by working directly with teachers to provide STEM education and career advancement for girls and nonbinary youth from historically marginalised communities. ($5,000 USD)
i.c. stars, with locations in Chicago, Milwaukee and Kansas City, Mo., provides underserved young adults with technology-based workforce development, community leadership training, internships and job placement. ($30,000 USD)
Innocent Lives Foundation, based in Orlando, Fla., works to identify and report child predators and teach parents and guardians how to protect kids online. ($30,000 USD)
Project Tomorrow of Irvine, Calif., helps students become leaders and innovators by designing and developing projects that impact students’ lives, initiate change in how decisions are made in schools and school districts, and inform national, state and local policymakers. ($5,000 USD)
KiKa aims to cure childhood cancer in the Netherlands by facilitating funding for cancer research. ($10,000 USD)
The Smith Family aims to help children in Australia overcome educational inequality caused by poverty by providing learning programs and support throughout a child’s life. ($5,000 USD)
Women in Tech works in Germany to recruit, promote and make women more visible in technology professions through mentorship, career coaching and more. ($10,000 USD)
CompTIA’s member-led communities in the ANZ, Benelux, DACH, North America and the UK and Ireland regions make CompTIA strong. Community members serve as influencers and ambassadors helping to advance the tech industry as well as their own businesses and careers. Six Industry Advisory Councils shape how CompTIA addresses critical issues and opportunities in the IT industry. The CompTIA ISAO tailors proactive threat intelligence and actionable analysis to meet the needs of technology vendors, managed services providers, solution providers, integrators, distributors, business technology consultants and their customers. Visit CompTIA Connect to learn more.
