It’s #GivingTuesday 2020 and these local tech orgs want your support
By Michelai Graham
Published: Dec. 1, 2020
We all may have just gone over our budgets with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday deals, but it’s time to pay it forward.
It’s #GivingTuesday, the charitable response to the stuff-focused shoppings days that have gone virtual this year. Donations on this philanthropic holiday mean a little more this year since many nonprofits are fighting to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s a list of local tech-minded organizations running campaigns today:
Martha’s Table
Martha’s Table, a D.C.-based nonprofit that provides healthy food, affordable clothing and education to residents, is looking for donations to support at least one week of its efforts to serve the community. The organization said demand for its programs has increased by 400% since the pandemic hit.
Each week, Martha’s Table’s efforts supports 10,000 grocery deliveries, $9,000 in cash assistance for the 137 families in its education program, 225 meal deliveries to residents experiencing housing insecurity or hunger, and teaching support for virtual learning. The organization will use the funds donated today mainly to support its food programs.
Bird
To help Martha’s Table reach its goals, Bird is donating 10% of all local ride revenue in D.C. to the organization for today only. These proceeds will go directly to Martha’s Table as it works to continue serving the community each week. All you have to do is ride, and your donation will be taken care of.
Byte Back
Byte Back set a goal today to raise $15,000 to further its programming virtually. Launched in 1997, this D.C.-based tech inclusion nonprofit offers computer training, IT certification and career services for adults seeking careers in tech.
The nonprofit’s board members have also made a commitment to match each donation made by today, up to $7,500 total, to double the giving efforts. Donations will go toward purchasing Office365 subscriptions, supporting certification exam costs, covering daily costs of running courses and more.
SEED SPOT
Social impact incubator SEED SPOT is raising funds today and though it didn’t set a specific goal to reach, SEED SPOT’s board of directors is matching all gifts up to $25,000 total, doubling donations.
Founded in 2012, SEED SPOT runs a six-week incubator every fall and spring, two-day launch camps for entrepreneurs working to get their ventures on the map, webinars, and other programming.
Like last year, the nonprofit is also promoting its supporters to sign up for the SEED SPOT 500, a group of donors who receive special SEED SPOT swag and VIP invitations to programs and events. Supporters who give $500 annually are admitted into this group, which amounts to a donation of about $42 each month.
Urban Alliance
To help its supporters with donations for its student support fund today, Urban Alliance lists out a breakdown of where some of the gifts will go. A $15 donation can support an hour of wages while $260 would support a full two weeks of pay.
The national youth development nonprofit with presence in the DMV, Detroit and Chicago reports that 80% of its student interns use their paychecks to help with household expenses during the pandemic. One-time donations of any level are welcome, and supporters can also sign up to give monthly.