Google grants for education technology reached $50 million to non-profit education organizations over the next two years. The commitment will go to nine organizations focusing on three areas: access to quality educational materials; training and extension for educators; and helping students in areas of conflict. This development is set to make a bold impact using tech education on the lives of underprivileged students who wish to pursue a career in technology.
The nine organizations include only the initial list of recipients. Google will be adding more organizations to the list increasing the number to 20 before the end of the year. The recipients include Learning Equality, War Child Holland, Million Sparks Foundation, Pratham Education Foundation, Clooney Foundation for Justice, Khan Academy and Story Weaver. Two other organizations are yet to be named. The tech company added that the above priority areas are expected to change some more during the term of the donation.
Google’s criteria for choosing which organizations will receive donations include the possible effect of technology and tech education as part of a meaningful solution without it being forced in the current environment. Another consideration is that there should be an impact in the near and medium term, Devex.com reported.
Google has been helping organizations the world over not just with cash donations but also with technology solutions. For example, Google employees with specific skill sets have been deployed in helping setup WiFi in refugee camps and along the migration route during the recent refugee crisis. As part of the commitment to Learning Equality, Googlers will have the opportunity to travel to Guatemala in support of the necessary digital work.
Google.org was founded in 2004. It is headed by Jacqueline Fuller who formerly worked with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She had steered the organization to its current model of corporate philanthropy. Google receives 1% of the parent company’s profits, which is equivalent to a funding of around $100 million to $200 million a year.
Making technology more accessible to marginalized people is a bold concept that will not only bring technology to far-flung regions, but also bridge the gap between different cultures and social classes. Empowering them with knowledge and skill is a life-changing development.
