This special series focuses on important community issues, innovative solutions to societal challenges, and people and non-profit groups making an impact through technology.

We are excited an amazing group of non-profit Impact Partners who will join us at today’s GeekWire Anniversary Bash.

These organizations are doing good in the community through efforts related to STEM education, women and under-represented minorities in tech, affordable housing and support of military personnel.

Our 2019 Impact Partners include: Ada Developers Academy, BEST, Latino Community Fund, TechBridge Girls, United Way of King County, USO Northwest, WSOS, YearUp and YouthForce. See below for descriptions of each.

We’re thrilled to welcome these groups, and excited to connect them to the more than 1,500 GeekWire Bash attendees. This nonprofit showcase dovetails with GeekWire’s weekly Impact Series, an in-depth editorial series that highlights people and innovations that are making a positive difference in peoples’ lives and the health of the planet.

Started four years ago, the series focuses on the intersection of technology in health, education, environment, science research, homelessness, philanthropy and women and minority issues. It is underwritten by the Singh Family Foundation.

Through the series, we’ve covered everything from using drones to study the Northwest’s beloved orcas to profiles of tech leaders who are immigrants to a scrappy after-school program for low-income kids to the Pacific Science Center’s startup-inspired reinvention.

Here are more details on the GeekWire Bash. Tickets available for the Bash, a giant geek festival with VR, video games, robotics, ping pong, dodgeball and a cross-venue zipline, here

If you are joining us for the Bash, make sure to check out this year’s Impact Partners. And here are links to past coverage and more information:

Founded in 2013, Ada targets women and gender diverse people for technology training. The tuition-free program provides six months of full-time classroom training followed by a five-month, paid internship in a tech job. Ada has 246 students and alums, with more than 95 percent of graduates landing software jobs.

Mission statement: “Ada Developers Academy’s mission is to diversify tech by providing women and gender diverse people the skills, experience and community support to become professional software developers who contribute to changing the world with software.”

As seen in GeekWire: Ada Developers Academy coverage here, here and here.

Engage: Companies can host Ada graduates.

The nonprofit BEST offers training and consulting to help businesses stop sex-trafficking in their workplace and among employees. Their work includes preventing employees from engaging as customers in sex-trafficking. The BEST Employers Alliance is the first U.S. public-private partnership to work across industries to prevent sex trafficking and sex buying.

Mission statement: “Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking strives to create a world in which no one is trafficked. BEST believes that every person has the right to be free from sexual exploitation and forced labor.”

As seen in GeekWire: Find BEST coverage here.

Engage: Get free training for your staff and join the Employers Alliance.

Latino Community Fund is a nonprofit organization with a Latinos in Tech network that was created in 2014 in partnership with two local community leaders, to provide the community with a space to innovate, develop, and connect with others. The growing group of 740 participants works to foster a culture of community engagement and social responsibility both on and offline. The group also connects students, adults transitioning careers and tech professionals with opportunities to advance professionally.

Mission statement: “Latino Community Fund and the Latinos in Tech network, is committed to diversity in the tech industry and supporting access to STEM and technology fields for underrepresented communities. It is a community led collaborative fortifying community leaders through advocacy, connection, and sharing of resources.”

As seen in GeekWire: Coverage of Latino Community Fund is here.

Engage: Find volunteer information here.

This 18-year-old nonprofit brings technology to girls who might otherwise miss out on STEM opportunities in school and as careers. The group was founded in the San Francisco Bay area and four years ago launched a Seattle chapter. Techbridge Girls offers school curriculum and resources for families.

Mission statement: “Techbridge Girls excites, educates and equips girls from low-income communities by delivering high-quality STEM programming that empowers a girl to achieve economic mobility and better life chances.”

As seen in GeekWire: Find Techbridge Girls coverage here.

Engage: Find volunteer information here.

For nearly a century, United Way of King County has been helping Northwest families needing assistance with food, housing, employment and education. UWKC’s Emerging Leaders 365 is a group of professionals in their 20s and 30s who are interested in giving back through cash donations, volunteer hours and networking. The nonprofit leverages its impact through the power of collective giving, partnering with other charitable organizations and government entities.

Mission statement: “Emerging Leaders are helping United Way of King County build a community where people have homes, students graduate and families are financially stable.”

As seen in GeekWire: Coverage of United Way is here, here and here.



Engage: Find out how to become an Emerging Leader here.

The USO Northwest relies solely on the generosity of individuals, organizations, corporations, foundations and fundraisers to support its activities. The USO Northwest is not a part of the U.S. government and does not receive any government funding. For every dollar donated, 91 cents goes to paying for programs and services developed to assist service members in Washington and Oregon. The USO has refined its focus, developing new programs and services to meet the ever-changing needs of our military members and their families. That includes support at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) near Tacoma and at Sea-Tac International Airport, care packages, support for Wounded Warriors, connectivity and gaming opportunities.

Mission statement: “The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation.”

Engage: Learn how to help, donate, sponsor and volunteer here.

Founded in 2011, WSOS supports Washington students from low- and middle-income families who are seeking bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and health care. Students receive scholarships of up to $22,500 as well as professional development, skills-building workshops and industry exposure. WSOS is funded by donors including founding partners Boeing and Microsoft and matching dollars from the state budget.

Mission statement: “The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) is a unique, public-private partnership that provides low- and middle-income students with financial assistance, career services and other student supports. WSOS is committed to preparing our students to be the face of Washington’s workforce by reducing barriers to earning degrees in high-demand science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and health care fields.”



As seen in GeekWire: Coverage of WSOS is here and here.

Engage: Find volunteer and partnership opportunities here.

In 2011, Year Up launched Puget Sound chapters in Bellevue and Seattle. The nonprofit offers year-long, intensive training programs for low-income young adults that includes hands-on skills development, coursework eligible for college credit, corporate internships and professional support. The 18-year-old nonprofit was founded in Boston.

Mission statement: “Year Up’s mission is to close the opportunity divide by providing urban young adults with the skills, experience and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education.”

As seen in GeekWire: Find Year Up coverage here and here.

Engage: Year Up is looking for mentors, tutors and guest speakers.

Started in 1998, YouthForce partners with local schools and businesses to provide career counseling, training and mentored internships.

In 2007, seeking to broaden its reach, YouthForce joined Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, which has placed a new emphasis on teen programming and outreach. To date, YouthForce has offered thousands of teens paid internship opportunities through partnerships with innovative Seattle-area employers.

Mission statement: YouthForce is Boys & Girls Clubs of King County’s teen employment program, offering a unique approach to workforce readiness by providing teens with employment opportunities and career development workshops while creating rewarding employment solutions for local businesses.”

As seen in GeekWire: Coverage of YouthForce is here.

Engage: YouthForce is looking for donations, volunteers and corporate partners to host interns.

We’re looking forward to working together with each of these non-profit partners, and we hope you’ll get a chance to engage with them at the GeekWire Bash. For more information about the Impact Partners of Impact Series, email us at events@geekwire.com.

A big thanks to the 2019 GeekWire Bash title sponsor: First Tech Federal Credit Union.

Also, thanks to Avalara, the ping pong sponsor; T-Mobile, the dodgeball sponsor; NTT Communications, the sumo wrestling sponsor and Sirqul, the circle bar sponsor.

And to our partners: FIRST Washington, Virtual Sports, Meeples Games, Playtest Northwest, Niantic and ALLtech.

And this year’s Camp STEM participants: Pacific Science Center, The Museum of Flight, AIE and Toysmith.

Funding for GeekWire's Impact Series is provided by the Singh Family Foundation in support of public service journalism. GeekWire editors and reporters operate independently and maintain full editorial control over the content.