CompTIA Newsroom

Downers Grove, Ill. — CompTIA’s member communities and councils chose 16 technology-related charities to give $170,000 in donations this year. Genesys Works, TechGirlz and Hire Heroes will receive the largest of those donations at $35,000, $25,000, and $20,000 respectively.

As part of CompTIA Giving, contributions made by CompTIA’s member communities and councils support local communities and improve education and career options for individuals in need. CompTIA Giving designates $10,000 for each of CompTIA’s 17 communities and councils to give to their own chosen charities each year.

“Our member communities and councils operate in an open and collaborative environment working to advance the current tech industry landscape as well as shape its future,” said Cristina Greysman, vice president, partner recruitment and activation, SAP, and a representative of CompTIA’s Community Executive Board. “Each charity chosen by our members helps to positively impact the futures of their communities with many of them helping to get more people into tech careers and diversify the workforce. It’s an honor to help these charities grow and do splendid work.”

The following charities have been selected by CompTIA’s member communities and councils for donations this year:

• Ability Net provides high quality paid for and free services that help disabled people in the U.K. succeed at work, at home and in education.
• Black Tech Mecca is a data-driven think tank dedicated to addressing the most critical issues impacting how tech ecosystems serve black tech communities.
• Federation of Galaxy Explorers inspires youth in the fields of science and engineering by providing afterschool “mission team” meetings where students participate in hands-on lessons that support the National Science Education Standards.
• Foster Care to Success works with college-bound foster youth, helping them navigate the tricky waters of academia, understand the importance of personal fiscal responsibility, determine achievable career goals, and create networks of friendship and support.
• Future Possibilities for Kids inspires and empowers children, ages 9-12 years old, from diverse, under-served Canadian communities, to practice possibility thinking and to become leaders.
• Genesys Works enables underprivileged high school students to work in meaningful internships at major corporations during their senior year in high school.
• Girl Develop It offers affordable and judgment-free opportunities for economically-disadvantaged women interested in learning web and software development.
• Hire Heroes provides free, expert career coaching and job sourcing to transitioning U.S. military members, veterans and military spouses.
• Kids Help Phone is a counseling center for Canadian kids which promises to listen without judgment 24/7.
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children helps find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation, and prevent child victimization.
• NPower creates pathways to prosperity by launching digital careers for military veterans and young adults from underserved communities.
• Pew Charitable Trusts lays the foundation for effective policies and practices by invigorating civic life, conducting research, informing and engaging citizens, linking diverse interests to pursue common cause, and insisting on tangible results.
• Project Tomorrow is a leading education nonprofit group dedicated to ensuring that K-12 students are well prepared to become tomorrow’s leaders, innovators and engaged citizens of the world.
• TechGirlz develops fun and educational hands-on workshops to get middle-school age girls interested in technology and demonstrate the varied options of careers available.
• Teen Tech helps teenagers in the U.K. see the wide range of career possibilities in science, engineering and technology.
• Young ICT Explorers inspires and encourages school-aged students in Australia to consider future technology careers.

“For five years, while building our own philanthropy programs to put future workers into IT careers, we’ve also supported more than 60 charities chosen by CompTIA member communities and councils with $730,000 in donations,” said Charles Eaton, executive vice president, social innovation, CompTIA. “CompTIA has committed to annually donate at least five percent of its revenues to social innovation, a commitment of $3 million this year.”

CompTIA divides its philanthropic efforts along three main lines: 1) CompTIA Giving which gives money and staff time to tech-related charities; 2) NextUp, a campaign to introduce tech careers to middle schoolers; and 3) Creating IT Futures, which researches and develops workforce development and STEM education programs to build new pathways to IT careers.

More information about CompTIA’s member communities and councils and their activities can be found at https://www.comptia.org/communities. Charities that would like to be considered for future gifts should contact Cathy Alper, director, member communities, CompTIA, at calper@comptia.org.

About CompTIA

CompTIA is the voice of the world’s IT industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications and public policy advocacy. To learn more visit CompTIA online, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Contact:
Lisa Fasold
CompTIA Giving
630-678-8558
lfasold@comptia.org