TechBuffalo is proud to be selected by Microsoft as a continuing Fellow as part of its TechSpark program to promote equitable access to tech skills in Buffalo.
This mission-driven program provides TechBuffalo with grant funding to further grow its inclusive community engagement impact as well as invaluable access to TechSpark’s national network for support, collaboration, and mentorship.
“We’re honored to be selected for Year Two of Microsoft TechSpark,” says Rachel Eastlack, TechBuffalo’s Community Impact Lead, who oversees the organization’s TechSpark programming.
“The first year was transformative, bringing over 200 families together through coding, helping individuals take steps toward tech careers, and driving meaningful impact across Western New York. We’re excited to build on this momentum, expand our reach, and create even more opportunities in the region.”
Microsoft recently announced the second cohort of the TechSpark Community Engagement Fellowship, which support nonprofit organizations across the country working to expand economic opportunities in their communities. TechBuffalo was one of 40 organizations selected in to participate in the first cohort, the only in New York State.
What our Microsoft TechSpark collaboration has already accomplished:
- Removing barriers to engage adults and youths together. Family Code Night brought a cross-generational approach to workforce development that fosters STEM engagement with Minecraft Education. This shared guardian-and-child experience offers a fun introduction to programming concepts and tech training resources while removing the common barrier of childcare.
- Empowering local nonprofits to leverage free resources. More than 100 local nonprofits learned how tech can enable their mission-oriented work at TechConnect 2023, a collaboration with Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes’ office. The half-day forum showed nonprofits how to leverage the power of free Microsoft tech resources, enhance operational capabilities, and enable organizations to better support tech talent in our community.
Microsoft’s TechSpark program works closely with local community organizations to develop digital skills, support nonprofits and create jobs,” said Mike Egan, Senior Director, Microsoft TechSpark. “By working together with TechBuffalo we can help them deliver resources, education, and digital skills for students that create greater economic opportunity in New York.
Armed with the insights gained during its first year as a TechSpark Fellow, TechBuffalo is now focusing on how to best scale the successes seen – not only to meet demand, but also to grow its efforts efficiently and sustainably.
Last year’s cohort of TechSpark Fellows secured over $177 million in funding support, reached 48,000 community members, and engaged 548 partners to help build economic opportunities in 42 communities across the nation. Read more about Microsoft TechSpark here.
