TechBridge Digital Ball Celebrates the Power of Philanthropy and Technology

Online, May 9, 2014 (Newswire.com) - TechBridge is pleased to announce that the 14th annual Digital Ball raised $1.2 million in cash and in-kind donations to subsidize the development and implementation of a wide range of technology projects and programs for the nonprofit community. One hundred sponsors, including presenting sponsor Accenture and marquee sponsors Avaya, Dell, Infor, Insight, and The Coca-Cola Company celebrated the mission of TechBridge at the Atlanta Marriot Marquis on Saturday, May 3, 2014.

Digital Ball co-chairs Karen Renner, CIO of Novelis, and Bill VanCuren, CIO of NCR Corporation were joined by more than 60 industry peers who served as Digital Ball Hosts. The black-tie event attracted more than 840 technology, business and nonprofit leaders and guests.

The evening honored the Atlanta Step-Up Society (ASUS) with the presentation of the 13th annual Technology Innovation Award, given by Accenture. ASUS serves as an emergency shelter and employment program for homeless veterans as they rebuild their lives and recover from addictions.

The organization was chosen from a field of 41 applicants by a panel of Atlanta's technology leaders to receive more than $30,000 in TechBridge services, software and cash to implement its technology vision. ASUS will use the award to streamline the process of soliciting and retrieving donations for its thrift store, computerizing its current manual, paper-based system and enabling the growth and application of transferrable computer-literacy skills.

"The Technology Innovation Award is one way Accenture supports our national nonprofit partners in the communities where we live and work," said Craig Ramsey, managing director, Accenture. "By teaming with TechBridge, we can help organizations like the Atlanta Step-Up Society develop innovative technology that better serves the people in our community. We extend our congratulations to ASUS for winning this year's award."

"The Atlanta Step-Up Society is honored to receive the Technology Innovation Award. We will be able to train and serve so many more homeless veterans with this new technology, and we're thankful to TechBridge, Accenture and the judging panel for helping us expand our mission," stated ASUS Co-Founders and Co-Executive Directors, Robert and Martha Barber.

Two finalists, HealthMPowers and the Piedmont Park Conservancy, were also recognized and each received a prize worth more than $2,500, including a TechBridge technology assessment and a cash award.

The evening also marked the debut of the TechBridge Nonprofit Exchange, the world's first curated crowdfunding website where corporations, foundations, and individuals come together to fund TechBridge-vetted IT projects for nonprofits. A 'live' crowdfunding pitch by Dennis J. Gardin, executive director of the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, inspired pledges of more than $27,000 from attendees, exceeding the campaign goal of $5,000. More than one-half - $18,025 - in pledges were received within the 60 seconds after Gardin's pitch on the importance of a tech overhaul on the foundation's mission to serve burn survivors.

Campaign match sponsor, Box, contributed an additional $5,000 bringing the total pledged to $32,229. Visit techbridge.org for more information on how you can support or participate in the TechBridge Nonprofit Exchange.

About the TechBridge Digital Ball
The Digital Ball, TechBridge's signature fundraising gala, brings together Atlanta's technology community to celebrate the impact technology can have in strengthening our community. TechBridge's Digital Ball raises funds to support its mission and work throughout the year. Plans for the fifteenth annual Digital Ball are underway. Sponsorship information can be found at www.techbridge.org.

About TechBridge
Founded in 2000, TechBridge is a nonprofit that provides other nonprofits with the tools, resources and relationships they need to apply business strategies and technology to further their missions. This is made possible by support from the TechBridge network of corporations, individuals and foundations. The TechBridge Nonprofit Exchange and the Technology Innovation Award, given by Accenture, provide nonprofits with funding vehicles for their technology needs while TechBridge's fundraising efforts, including its signature gala, the Digital Ball, unite the technology community to celebrate the impact technology can have in strengthening our community. For more information about TechBridge, visit www.techbridge.org.

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Media Contact:
Jacqui Chew, 404-964-6336 | [email protected]

TechBridge Contact:
Carrie Bates Hastings
Chief Development Officer
404.879.5404 | [email protected]