NASCIO Members and Conference Attendees Give Back to Baltimore, Host City of the 2016 Midyear Conference

Total donation of $7,128 provided to local Baltimore organization

State, associate, and corporate members of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) donated $4,128 to the Digital Harbor Foundation (DHF) this May. Funds for the local organization were raised leading up to and during NASCIO’s 2016 Midyear Conference held in Baltimore. In addition to funds raised, NASCIO contributed $3,000 – providing a grand total donation of $7,128 to the local organization as part of NASCIO’s Give Back program.

Donations made through the NASCIO Give Back program will support Maker Foundations, a 14-week exploratory course of the Digital Harbor Foundation for middle and high school youth that provides exposure to emerging technologies such as 3D printing, interactive electronics and game design. The course culminates with each participant creating a technology project that incorporates the newly mastered technologies.

“In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to create with technology is an essential skill for youth to have,” said Shawn Grimes, executive director of the Digital Harbor Foundation. “But, more than teaching any one skill, in DHF programs youth learn how to learn, to iterate, and not to be afraid of failure. These skills and traits will follow youth in their careers, personal lives and wherever their futures take them.”

“DHF’s pay-what-you-can model for our youth programs lies at the core of our values – to be open for any young person who wants to join in,” said Ruth Eldredge Thomas, director of foundation and corporate relations at DHF. “NASCIO’s generous donation will help ensure Baltimore youth have access to Maker Foundations and our advanced courses, no matter their background, previous experience or family income. In addition, the opportunity to engage with technology leaders from across the country inspired the kids’ vision of the kinds of contributions they are already making to the tech world at large, and the sort of potential they have for the future. They are the best evidence we can offer of the impact a program like this can have.”

To learn more about the Digital Harbor Foundation, visit www.digitalharbor.org.