The Zendesk Foundation announced the winners of the 2023 Tech for Good Impact Awards. Earlier in 2023, we encouraged non-profit organizations to share how they would use Zendesk technology and grants to expand their operations and build a more promising future. We’ve chosen 15 deserving organizations that will receive grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, along with Zendesk software.
Five grantees will receive $50,000 and join our Agents of Change program. This initiative provides disadvantaged communities with Zendesk learning pathways and certifications, complimentary software for students, and volunteers to enhance skills and connect students to jobs within our extensive customer base. The program aims to generate $10M in wages by the end of 2024 to help close the economic opportunity gap. The organizations are:
Fundación Compromiso: Free upskilling and employability training for people over 16 with socio-economic barriers across Latin America.
Laboratoria: Empowering women in Latin America to grow their careers in tech.
Passerelles Numériques (PN): Provides upskilling and employment opportunities to lift vulnerable young people out of poverty in Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Madagascar.
StreetCode Academy: Serving BIPOC individuals in the U.S. with free tech education to help them access the innovation economy.
West Africa Vocational Education (WAVE): Addressing West Africa’s youth unemployment crisis, WAVE provides skills training and access to job opportunities.
Additional Impact Award winners will receive grants and Zendesk software to expand their reach and amplify their influence. Tech for Good, with the support of Zendesk employees’ expertise, will collaborate with these organizations. The recipients, in alphabetical order, are:
Close Gap
Fairfood
Issue Voter
Medical Pantry
Migrasia
MyAgro
Solidaridad
SYE Initiative
Tierra Grata
WellMoney
These exemplary organizations bolster civil society in diverse ways. They promote sustainability in our food systems and endorse farmers, fortify democratic structures, facilitate students’ access to crucial mental health resources, and champion fairness and justice within the labor migration sector.
“We created the Tech for Good Impact Awards to amplify the importance of organizations committed to social good by extending beyond financial grants and incorporating technology as a catalyst for change,” said Alana Ramo, Director of the Zendesk Tech for Good program. “It became apparent through our global applicants’ work, how crucial, timely, and connective technology is. It’s a source of pride for us to offer Zendesk solutions to these champions combating the world’s most pressing challenges, and we are excited to support their progress now and in the future.”
Over 300 organizations from around the world applied. Our social impact team selected winners based on how well each applicant planned to use Zendesk products and their alignment with the Foundation’s mission: promoting resilience, strengthening communities, and expanding opportunities for careers in technology.
About Tech for Good
The Impact Awards is an initiative of the Zendesk Tech for Good program which supports increased access to tools and technology products for organizations that require best in class software to scale their services. Started in 2018, Tech for Good partners with nonprofit organizations to help them better manage their services and create more impact for their communities. The program currently partners with over 100 organizations and has donated nearly $20M in product to nonprofits around the world.