8 Tech Nonprofits Changing the World with Innovation

Technology

Many people seek new charities to become involved with — whether through volunteer opportunities or monetary donations.
The nonprofit world, along with every for-profit industry, is changing rapidly with the advancement of technology. And now, many nonprofits are dedicated to making technology more accessible, affordable, secure, and simpler for everyone. Let’s highlight eight of them.
1. NPower
NPower is a nonprofit dedicated to providing underserved groups, including underresourced young adults and military veterans, with access to education and skills training in the technology sector. It offers free courses in areas like cybersecurity, coding, and cloud computing and fosters partnerships with other nonprofits and educational institutes to expand access to tech talent.
Mission
Helping military-connected individuals, young adults, and women from underresourced communities launch digital careers.
Location
New York City
Year founded
1999
Tech offering
Tech training, job placement assistance, and support services.
2. Center for Democracy and Technology
The Center for Democracy and Technology is a nonprofit that works to preserve the user-controlled nature of the internet and freedom of expression. Its main focus areas include promoting privacy and data security, ensuring government surveillance accountability, safeguarding free expression online, and supporting an innovative internet. It does this through policy research, providing legal and technical expertise, and collaborations with advocacy groups, governments, and tech companies.
Mission
Advocating for policies that ensure privacy, free expression, and an open internet.
Location
Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Europe
Year founded
1994
Tech offering
Research papers, events, tech policy advocacy.
3. Child’s Play
Child’s Play is a game industry charity dedicated to improving kids’ lives in hospitals by providing them with games and consoles. Anyone can donate games to one of Child’s Play’s over 190 hospital partners. The organization provides an Amazon wishlist, and hospitals can apply to become part of the network to get games for younger patients.
Mission
Improving the lives of children in hospitals and domestic abuse shelters by providing them with toys, games, and technology.
Location
Redmond, Wash., but donates to hospitals worldwide.
Year founded
1974
Tech offering
Video games and consoles for children and teens in hospital.
4. Code.org
Code.org is dedicated to expanding participation in computer science and making it available in more schools around the U.S. They work to change policy to make STEM education and computer science part of the core curriculum in all grade levels. The nonprofit also runs the “Hour of Code,” a global initiative that aims to introduce students to computer science through one-hour coding activities.
Mission
Expand access to computer science education at school and increase participation among underrepresented groups, such as young women.
Location
Seattle, Wash.
Year founded
2013
Tech offering
Free coding courses and learning resources, computer science curriculum for K-12 students, and professional development workshops for educators.
5. KoBo
KoBo is a nonprofit that hosts and maintains the KoboToolbox, an open-source suite of tools for data collection and analysis during humanitarian emergencies. KoboToolbox is provided free of charge to other nonprofits in the humanitarian, global development, environmental protection, and human rights sectors. Use case examples include tracking data about displaced families in Ukraine, and measles and typhoid immunization data in Pakistan. KoBo is partnered with the United Nations Refugee Agency and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Mission
Improving data collection methods in humanitarian crises by providing KoboToolbox to nonprofits for free.
Location
Cambridge, Mass., but works with global charities.
Year founded
2005
Tech offering
Open-source data collection tools.
6. The Guardian Project
The Guardian Project makes simple, secure apps, open-source libraries, and customized mobile devices for anyone, whether they are citizens, journalists, or humanitarian organizations, to safeguard their online work from interception and monitoring.
Mission
Developing open-source mobile tools for secure communication, especially in environments where surveillance and censorship are prevalent.
Location
New York City
Year founded
2010
Tech offering
Open-source apps for secure communication and personal data.
7. TechSoup
TechSoup, a San Francisco-based organization, focuses on two main ideas: nonprofits and schools need computers but face many obstacles, including a lack of resources and many talented people in computer science and technology who want to contribute to big causes. TechSoup connects those ideas by offering discounted software, hardware, and tech support to other nonprofit organizations, libraries, schools, and foundations.
Mission
Providing affordable nonprofits, schools, and other organizations with access to technology products and services.
Location
Worldwide
Year founded
1987
Tech offering
Software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and QuickBooks; hardware such as laptops, desktops, projectors, and networking gear. It also offers tech support and cloud services.
8. DataKind
DataKind is a nonprofit that aims to use data science and artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems. They connect tech experts with mission-driven groups to help make sense of their data and create better solutions for issues like climate change, financial inclusion, and health crises. Its team also builds new tools and hosts hackathon-style events to help solve problems. Examples of its work include optimizing vaccine distribution and streamlining data access to improve flood response.
Mission
Providing nonprofits, governments, and social impact organizations with the data science and AI resources they need to tackle global issues.
Location
Worldwide
Year founded
2012
Tech offering
Data science and AI expertise, software tools for data analysis.

 11th Edition of Sharjah International Travel & Tourism Forum to take place on 25th November 2024

Travel

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Under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of Sharjah Executive Council, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has announced the 11th edition of the Sharjah International Travel & Tourism Forum (SITTF) scheduled to take place on 25th November at the Expo Centre Sharjah.Held under the theme “The Future of Tourism: Digitisation, Health, and Safety”, the forum will gather experts from the travel and tourism industry, sharing insights on how digital technologies are fundamentally reshaping the tourism industry, through a series of panel discussions and engaging workshops to further delve into the challenges and opportunities that exist within the travel and tourism sector.
The anticipated forum is set to feature notable keynote speakers, welcoming the likes of Abdalla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy, Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, SCTDA Chairman, Ahmed Al Qaseer, CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), HE Basmah Al Mayman, Regional Director for the Middle East, United Nations Tourism, and other industry representatives.The forum will address the transformation of consumer behaviour driven by digital platforms and the importance of data-driven decision-making for understanding market trends and elevating travel health and safety protocols and governance.
Additionally, the event will cover trends and innovations in the use of artificial intelligence machine learning to personalise travel experiences while ensuring compliance with health measures. It will emphasise collaboration among various stakeholders to integrate new travel protocols goals and share success stories from the sector, including how travel and tourism entities can be better prepared to mitigate health and safety challenges in a sustainable way.
Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, highlighted the opportunities and dynamic challenges that the forum will address as well as emphasising Sharjah’s achievements,”The Sharjah International Travel & Tourism Forum is committed to showcasing the innovative approaches that Sharjah is taking in the realm of travel and tourism, particularly through the integration of new technologies and media. This includes a strong emphasis on the strategic advancements we’ve made in artificial intelligence and machine learning, which are transforming the sector. During this year’s event, we will not only share our valuable experiences but also engage in discussions about the various challenges we encounter and the opportunities that arise in this rapidly changing landscape. Our aim is to formulate practical and actionable solutions that will contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future for the industry. We are excited to welcome both local and global stakeholders to Sharjah, fostering collaboration and dialogue that will benefit everyone involved,” Al Midfa said.
The Sharjah International Travel & Tourism Forum 2024 is an unmissable event for tourism professionals, government representatives, and private sector leaders By bringing together and exchanging insights on technology, health, and safety standards, SCTDA aims to position Sharjah at the forefront of sustainable, safe, and digitally advanced tourism. This also represents an important element that drives the efforts of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority to enhance the emirate’s position as a leading destination for sustainable, safe, and digitally advanced tourism.

A Minneapolis Teen’s Business Club Goes Global

Business News

A Minneapolis Teen’s Business Club Goes Global

Aspiring entrepreneurs from Australia, Pakistan, and beyond are starting chapters of Sam Vahhaji’s Business for the Youth.

Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are just two of the many successful entrepreneurs to follow on social media. But high schoolers from Pakistan to Ethiopia, Connecticut to California, are seeking business advice from Sam Vahhaji, a senior at Southwest High School in Minneapolis who sells slippers online.
Vahhaji launched Cozy Step when he was a sophomore. He came up with designs to be featured on furry slip-ons—smiley faces, snowmen, pumpkins—and found a manufacturer in China (using Google Translate to communicate). He sold more than 6,000 pairs in six months. “That’s when people started asking me for help” with their own business ideas, he says.
Vahhaji tried one-on-one mentor sessions to impart what he’d learned about drop-shipping and social media marketing, but it got to be too much with school and running his business. So he created a club at Southwest called Business for the Youth. More than 100 of his classmates joined.

Press Bay Alley & Court: Launchpads for first-time small-business owners

Business News

What used to be a production center of Ithaca Journal –– the first newspaper in Ithaca –– has been home to Press Bay Alley since 2014 as a springboard for first-time small–business owners. For them, the space represents a support system built upon a shared experience. 
This sense of community is fostered in part because of John Guttridge, the founder and managing partner of Urban Core LLC, the real estate development company behind Press Bay Alley & Court. 
Guttridge said that Press Bay Alley & Court makes it easier for small–business owners to establish themselves. Compared with other spaces, Press Bay Alley & Court provides a smoother route for those looking to open a business but don’t know where to begin. 

“I think Press Bay is kind of unique in Downtown in terms of what the space offerings are,” Guttridge said. “You can get into our smallest spaces for a little bit more than $500 a month, complete cost. … All the business owners really help each other. One business being successful makes the neighboring businesses more successful.”
Guttridge said he turned a once–vacant 25,000 square foot space at 100 W. Green St. into Press Bay Alley. The space was originally intended to be used as an office for his computer consulting company, Brightworks Computer Consulting but when faced with a decision regarding the extra space, Guttridge said he found that old storage buildings could easily be turned into micro retail spaces. He tested out the concept by inviting the Full Plate Farm Collective to distribute their products. After successfully hosting Full Plate, Guttridge began developing Press Bay Alley, a retail space in downtown Ithaca that includes a range of businesses from bakeries and eateries to Ithaca’s only circus performance school.
Press Bay Court –– the “sister” project of Press Bay Alley ––  would later be built in the summer of 2018 at 118 W. Green St to bring more visibility to the existing businesses in Press Bay Alley while also expanding the retail space available. Guttridge set up 10 commercial spaces and four apartments to expand upon his idea for Press Bay Court.
Over the years, many owners who have run their businesses in Press Bay Court & Alley have been forced to close, increasing the turnover rate for the space. 
“We’ve had other businesses that, you know, showed up really strong and did really well, but then ultimately, for you know, staffing reasons or financial reasons or whatever else, were not successful,” Guttridge said. “In general, [a successful business] is about 50% whether it’s the right business concept, and about 50% whether somebody can really turn it in day after day and make it happen.”
Despite setbacks for some businesses, Guttridge said he has seen customer satisfaction across the space and attributes this to the community of business owners. 
Asempe Kitchen 
Since May 2024, Kuukua Dzigbordi Yomekpe has run Asempe Kitchen in Press Bay Court after working at the Ithaca Farmers Market for a little over two years. Asempe Kitchen is a restaurant that specializes in plant-based West African food. Yomekpe hosts many events at Asempe Kitchen and said she chose Press Bay for the flexibility the space provided including classes, pop-up events, food demonstrations and community dinners.
 “I think everybody just gets along really well and is working really hard to be part of the whole,” Yomekpe said. “That’s what makes it different from just having a building on the street.” 
In Oct. 2016, Yomekpe launched Asempe Kitchen in Ohio but eventually moved the business to Ithaca after taking a position at Wells College. Yomekpe said she received much support from other local businesses and the greater small business community of Ithaca. She was featured on the October issue of Central New York’s What’s Hot Magazine, Tompkins Weekly and Ithaca Times. Additionally, the Tompkins County chamber awarded Asempe Kitchen best business and Yomekpe entrepreneur of the year.
Poured Candle Bar
Located next to Asempe Kitchen, Poured Candle Bar is a candle-making business created after a couple sought to leave their day jobs in Manhattan. Dennis Green was involved with wholesale fashion and Ricky Tiscareno worked in technology prior to launching Poured Candle Bar in July 2024. 
“There’s so many existing businesses there and they were very supportive through our build out, giving us tips and tricks on optimal times to be open, who their customers are,” Tiscareno said. “It just felt very positive and that isn’t always the case when you’re moving into a new neighborhood.”
Before the pandemic, they planned to launch the business in Hudson, New York as a smaller storefront but soon decided to move there permanently in 2020. After a few years of expansion, they looked at opening a new location. The business expanded beyond selling fragrances and offered custom fragrances ranging from candles, room sprays and diffusers that customers could make on their own.
 “We were looking at a couple of spaces in The Commons and then kind of in the outskirts of the downtown area,” Tiscareno said. “There was like never a space where we felt like it [was] us.” 
Thread Lightly Sewing
Margaret Ball-Lumumba established Thread Lightly Sewing after quitting a corporate job and searching for new ways to make money. 
Ball-Lumumba said she chose Press Bay Court because it was more convenient than other spaces in Ithaca. She said she started her business in a shared workspace called The CommonSpot, but lacked the space to set up sewing supplies and tools. She is now subletting the space for her business from Wendy Skinner, the owner of SewGreen. 
“I think that at [a] basic level, everybody has respect for each other because we all know that we’re there to make a living,” Ball-Lumumba said. 
When Chef Kuukua was opening Asempe Kitchen, Ball-Lumumba made a chef coat, hat and about 20 aprons for staff members to extend support. 
Although she is supported by local businesses like SewGreen, Ball-Lumumba does all the work for her business alone. 
Midas Menagerie
Midas Menagerie, owned by Kim Desmond, sells vintage home decor, jewelry and figurines. Desmond also runs her business with complete control over day-to-day operations like inventory, photography and shipping. 
“I basically wear all the hats,” Desmond said. “This small space allowed me to have the presence I wanted for my customers to shop my inventory in person, while allowing me to still maintain some of the other aspects of my business, like the online shop.” 
Desmond ran Midas Menagerie for about eight years as an online business so she could take care of her young children as a stay-at-home mother. When searching for a place to begin a business focused on unique decor pieces, Desmond said she knew she did not want to be tied to a single location for seven days a week and instead sought a space that was reflective of her flexibility and personal responsibility. In August 2023, Desmond established Midas Menagerie in Press Bay Alley. 
“I think I’ve really sort of had a front seat to see the growth and expansion of other businesses in the area, as well as just participating in the excitement and hyping up the other new businesses that have come in after I have,” Desmond said. 
Rashida Sawyer Bakery
Another business owner who has been in Press Bay Court for over a year, KC Sawyer, has seen many changes with the overall development and growth of his business, like increases in traffic and better parking. 
In 2019, Sawyer relaunched his mother’s business. Rashida Sawyer was the first Black woman +to graduate from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. She ran a bakery from her home in the late 1980s and early 1990s known as “Rashida’s Deluxe Baked Goods.” 
Rashida Sawyer Bakery opened on Press Bay Court in 2021. Since then, the bakery has expanded to wedding and custom cakes. Sawyer said he chose Press Bay Court because of its availability, kitchen space and equipment. Out of all the businesses that formed Press Bay Court, Rashida Sawyer is one of the longest running spaces along with SewGreen. Sawyer credited much of his success to Guttridge as the property’s landlord. 
“[Guttridge] really goes above and beyond trying to make sure that his businesses operating in this area are doing well,” Sawyer said.  “The businesses are allowed to grow into being successful so this is a really good spot for startup businesses.”

Books in February; the heart, the entire year

Arts & Culture, Books

The Fair is always awaited by the population. Photo: Ismael Batista
The fact that South Africa will be the Guest of Honor at the 33rd Havana International Book Fair, to be held from February 13 to 23, 2025, in the capital, -to be later extended to all the provinces of the country- is, being an African nation, a fact “that fills us with pride and commitment, the third country of that brother continent to receive that status”.This is what Juan Rodriguez Cabrera, president of the Cuban Book Institute and of the Organizing Committee of the Fair, said yesterday to a group of journalists, writers and directors of the Cuban publishing world, gathered at the International Press Center, which included Yvonne Nkwenkwezi Phosa, South African ambassador to Cuba, and the authors to whom the long-awaited event is dedicated on this occasion: Dr. Francisca López Civeira, National History Award 2008 and National Social and Humanistic Sciences Award 2022; and poet, essayist, literary critic and translator Virgilio López Lemus.It was not news that the Fair will be held under very difficult conditions for the country, as the most recent editions have also been; but it will be, in the words of Rodriguez, “one of the most beautiful, most profound and most beloved things we are going to offer to the world.”The literary event will commemorate two important celebrations: the 25th anniversary of the creation, by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, of the Territorial Editions System, and the 130th anniversary of José Martí’s death in combat.This Fair, which is being held under very hard and special conditions, will count on the dedication, motivation and will of Cuban writers and creators, book workers and the pride of being Cuban, said Rodriguez, and assured that “all our friends from around the world” will be with us.It will be, once again, a Fair, the best possible, in which there is nothing left in the hands of its organizers to give, and designed for the Cuban family, which always awaits its arrival, and in which there will be literary novelties in printed books, with affordable prices, and in digital format, so that its visitors can continue to take their books home.Hard work is being done to finish all the titles that were pending within those contemplated by the territorial publishers, and the first 77 books of the People’s Library, which groups the first part of this, which will annually increase works of the best of Cuban and universal literature.  The broad offer of more than 1,200 digital books, in which more than 65 Cuban publishers are involved, was also mentioned.Nkwenkwezi Phosa, on behalf of the South African government and its people, thanked the Ministry of Culture and the Cuban Book Institute for the invitation and said she felt very honored by it. The diplomat said that this is an opportunity to further strengthen relations between the peoples of Mandela and Fidel, and to know the literature that is made in South Africa.The authors honored at the event also expressed their gratitude for the fact that the Fair is dedicated to their works.

RJ Balaji reveals regretting not doing this 2023 hit Tamil film

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

RJ Balaji, the actor and filmmaker, is expecting the release of his film Sorgavaasal. The film, which is majorly set in a prison, is slated for a theatrical release on November 29. Ahead of this, in one of the conversations as part of promotions, RJ Balaji revealed that he was supposed to do a particular 2023 Tamil film which was highly appreciated. Keep reading to know which film he was talking about.
RJ Balaji reveals missing doing this 2023 Tamil filmRJ Balaji in SorgavaasalRJ Balaji, who multi-tasks as director, actor and commentator, in a recent interview with Galatta Plus, revealed that he missed doing the 2023 film Ayothi headlined by Sasikumar.The actor was speaking about how he does not have regrets usually. But opened up about this one time when he missed doing Ayothi. “I did not do that film because of some reason. If you ask me if I have any regret in my career, it would be me missing out doing that film. I loved the film while watching it,” he said.
RJ Balaji is also busy with the shooting of Suriya 45, for which he will collaborate with the actor for the first time. The film is backed by Dream Warrior Pictures.Where to watch Ayothi on OTT?Ayothi, which released in 2023, is a drama film directed by Mantira Moorthy in his debut. The film is headlined by actor-filmmaker Sasikumar, and also stars Yashpal Sharma, Preethi Asrani, Pugazh, Anju Asrani and Master Advaith Vinod in prominent roles. Ayothi went on to become a cult film and sleeper hit. It is available for streaming on ZEE5 and the OTTplay Premium app.Ayothi revolves around a family who is on a trip to Rameswaram. However, after the wife dies during the journey, the husband and children decide to head back to their home in Ayodhya, but face difficulties. The family is helped by Abdul Malik, an ambulance driver.

Jason Kelce will host a late-night show on ESPN that films in Philadelphia

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Move over Jimmy Kimmel, there’s a new late-night talker in town — in Philadelphia, that is.Former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce announced that he will host “They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce” on ESPN during an appearance on Thursday’s episode of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”The Super Bowl champion said the hour-long show will be filmed in front of a live audience from Union Transfer in Philadelphia. It’ll be taped for five weeks straight on Friday nights beginning Jan. 3, which coincides with the final week of the NFL’s regular season and playoffs.The first four episodes will air at 1:00 a.m. EST starting Jan. 4 with the final episode at 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 1, according to ESPN.”I loved late-night shows, I’ve always loved them. I remember sleepovers watching Conan O’Brien with my friends,” Kelce said on Kimmel’s show. “We’re going to have a bunch of guys up there – legends of the game, friends that I played with, coaches, celebrities.”The show’s title is a call back to NFL Films’ first full-length film, “They Call it Pro Football,” which was released in 1967. Its filming location also pays homage to the film, as NFL Films originated in Philadelphia, according to ESPN.Kelce confirmed that the Philadelphia-based band Snacktime will provide the show’s music.”It’s going to be a celebration,” he said.Each episode of his show will have repeat airings on ESPN2 and will also be available on ESPN+ and ESPN’s and Kelce’s YouTube channels, ESPN said.The former football center is currently in the first year of a multiyear agreement with the network. He appears on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” show, providing halftime and postgame analysis. He played for the Eagles for 13 years before retiring at the end of last season and was the most sought-after former player by networks, according to ESPN. He earned his first and only Super Bowl ring with the Eagles in 2018. Kelce and his brother, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce, host the hit “New Heights” podcast that recently scored a $100 million deal with Amazon’s Wondry.