GTIA announces expansion of its giving programs, plans $1.5 million in charitable giving in 2025

During a special presentation at ChannelCon in Nashville yesterday, the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) announced a planned $1.5 million in giving in 2025, awarded $50,000 in funding to Nashville nonprofit Black Lemonade and announced recipients of $420,000 in member-led global giving

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., July 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) announced a substantial expansion of its giving programs which will result in $1.5 million in contributions to nonprofits by the end of this year alone. The IT channel's leading association is ushering in a new era of impact — defined by greater scale, deeper investment and a renewed commitment.

"Philanthropic work is woven throughout our organization's history," said Kelly Ricker, chief operating officer. "GTIA is ensuring the changemakers using technology to drive access, equity and opportunity have the funds they need to be successful. Backed by a healthy endowment, we can sustain and grow this work for years to come — deepening our investments in the communities we serve and expanding the reach of our collective impact."  

GTIA's expanded portfolio of giving programs includes member-directed giving, a new grants program and investments in host cities where major GTIA events are held.

The announcement was made during a presentation last night at ChannelCon, powered by GTIA, one of the IT channel's premier events. More than 1,000 IT channel professionals are in attendance in Nashville, this year's ChannelCon host city.

Host city support

During the presentation, a $50,000 contribution was awarded to Black Lemonde, a Nashville nonprofit that educates and equips underserved youth with the tools, confidence, and opportunities they need to lead, thrive, and transform their communities. The funds will be used to support the organization's Digital Black program.

"This generous gift from GTIA will make a real difference in this community because when we work together to uplift the most vulnerable, we strengthen the entire community," said Kaymi Butler, CEO of Black Lemonade. "With this support, we will continue to turn lemons into lemonade for our minority and underserved youth by providing access to digital tools, mentorship and career-aligned training. Digital Black not only prepares students for the future — it creates a sustainable pipeline of empowered, tech-driven community leaders."

Additionally, ChannelCon attendees will volunteer as part of a host city give-back event in Nashville. On Thursday, they will help assemble and donate 35 brand-new electric guitars — complete with accessories — to Instruments For Education, a Nashville nonprofit founded by local musician Troy Castellano. This hands-on activity reflects GTIA's commitment to community engagement and leaving a lasting impact in the cities where GTIA members gather.

Member-directed global giving 

Each year, GTIA members help shape the association's global impact by nominating and voting for nonprofit organizations that are creating tech-driven change around the world.

Last night, GTIA announced that it has awarded $420,000 to more than 20 charities — nearly tripling its charitable giving from 2024. These grants will fuel everything from coding education and STEM equity to rural tech access and AI labs in schools. 

List of member-directed grant recipients

Selected by the GTIA Cyber Task Force:

• Cyber RISE, Chicago($30,000)

Selected by the GTIA North America Community:

• Girls Who Code, New York City($30,000)

Selected by the GTIA UK & Ireland Community:

• TeenTech, London($30,000)

Selected by the GTIA ANZ Community:

• Accelerating Aotearoa, Auckland($15,000)
• The Smith Family, Sydney($15,000)

Selected by the GTIA ASEAN Community:

• Dreams for Life, Australia and Indonesia($15,000)
• Engineering Good, Singapore($15,000)

Selected by the GTIA Benelux Community:

• Allemaal Digitaal, Netherlands($15,000)
• Ondernemers voor een Warm België, Belgium($15,000)

Selected by the GTIA DACH Community:

• tech & teach, Germany($15,000)
• Women In Tech, Germany($15,000)

Selected by the GTIA Member Champions:

• We Connect the Dots, Albany, New York($15,000)
• Digitunity, North Conway, New Hampshire($15,000)

Selected by the GTIA Member Advisory Councils:

• CodePath, San Francisco($30,000)
• Grades4Life, Somerset, New Jersey($30,000)
• New Jersey Center for Science, Technology and Mathematics, Union, New Jersey($30,000)
• Rural Technology Fund, Gainesville, Georgia($30,000)
• Corbett Preparatory School of IDS, Tampa, Florida($15,000)
• Dev/Mission, San Francisco ($15,000)
• Urban League Tech House, Newark, New Jersey($15,000)
• Winston Knolls Foundation, Elgin, Illinois($15,000)

New grantmaking program

At ChannelCon, GTIA also announced to members that it is launching a new grantmaking program that will invest in nonprofits using tech to expand opportunity. Members are encouraged to refer nonprofits they know to apply. The deadline for the current grant cycle is Sept. 15, 2025, and more details will be announced soon.

For more information about GTIA's giving programs, visit gtia.org/giving.

About the Global Technology Industry Association

The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) is the only vendor-neutral, 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership community connecting and representing the worldwide IT channel. We set our members up for success by providing benefits that include trusted resources and networking opportunities. In addition, the association sets industry standards that enable companies to build sustainable, secure, and profitable businesses in an ever-changing technology landscape. Internationally, GTIA represents tens of thousands of professionals from thousands of ITSPs, solution providers, vendors, distributors, and other companies serving the IT channel. For more information, visit gtia.org. For more information about GTIA's giving programs, visit gtia.org/giving.

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SOURCE Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA)