Charitable Gifts Help Put a Human Face on IT Industry

The popular perception of the IT industry often conjures images of computers, software, and networking gear — the rudiments of an emotionless, digital world.

But a series of gifts by CompTIA, the IT industry trade association, through its 10 official communities around the globe, is showing that IT is just as much about connecting people to the needs in their communities as it is about running cable.



“This is a way for people to think how the IT industry is giving back. It’s pretty exciting,” said Jim Hamilton, VP of member communities for CompTIA. “It puts a human face on the IT industry and shows how we’re impacting people’s lives for the better.”

What better way to distribute $50,000 in charitable monies, Hamilton said, than by leveraging the CompTIA member communities from around the world.

Each member community was asked to identify a cause to steer its individual $5,000 gift. Charities being considered by the communities include an IT organization that offers food and clothing to needy people; groups that provide free computers to non-profit organizations; and a charity that helps keep children safe from online predators.

CompTIA members typically join a member community in order to network with each other, to learn about technology trends, and to share best practices which strengthen the industry. Each of the 10 communities is aligned along an industry topic, demographic or vertical, such as cloud computing, healthcare IT and security. The communities range in size from around 50 members to over 500.



All of the gifts will be presented before the culmination of Breakaway, the premier IT education conference, held Aug. 1-4, 2011, in  Washington, D.C.

Hamilton is hopeful that the gifts will jumpstart even more philanthropic giving in the industry.

Said Hamilton, “This has gotten some people thinking along lines they haven’t before.”

The first three gifts announced by member communities include:

• National Cristina Foundation, as chosen by the U.S. IT Services and Support Community, supports IT training through donated technology. For more than 25 years, it has encouraged companies and individuals to donate computers and other technology coming out of their first place of use, which are then matched to charities, schools and public agencies in all 50 states, Canada and internationally.


• Computers for Charities, as chosen by the U.K. Channel Community, refurbishes used computers and gives them to other charities and disadvantaged children and adults worldwide.


• Carolina IT Professionals Group, as chosen by the Managed Services Provider Partners Community, gives back to the Carolina community through action programs and projects which raise awareness and enhance the lives of children, seniors and the disadvantaged.

Interested in getting your company involved in IT philanthropy?  Contact the CompTIA Educational Foundation on how you can make a difference.