As a team, we like to stay focused on what’s next. Trends, technologies, what have you – there’s no use looking back or lingering too long in the present when you work in technology, because things are constantly changing. And this year, a lot more than technology changed for us. Our team grew significantly, as did our capabilities. We learned a few tough lessons and celebrated some big victories. We rolled out a new website and added a pretty sweet mural to our wall.
One thing that didn’t change? Our mission: Help good companies do great things.
This year, Software for Good gave almost $300,000 in time to organizations including the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Instruments in the Cloud, No Time for Poverty, Girls in Tech, Minne*, and Project Diva.
We also gave back financially. In addition to our annual purchase of carbon credits, we celebrated the end of 2014 with a Secret Santa exchange tailored to our mission. Instead of purchasing gifts for one other, we selected a charity or cause for our recipient and the company donated $100 in their honor. Everyone on the team also received $100 to donate to the cause of their choosing. Organizations who benefited from this year’s holiday giving include:
- Free Software Foundation
- Doctors Without Borders
- Free Bikes for Kids
- Virtual Trials in memory of Aaron Purmort
- Makin’ Training Moves to support Lacy Henderson
- Riders for Health
- Girls in Tech
- MN Wild Foundation/Crescent Cove
- Peanut Butter for the Hungry
- Animal Humane Society
- Sierra Club
- Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association
- Wildlife Forever
- Wiggle Your Toes
- Amazon Conservation Association
- Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Disorders Association of Minnesota
- The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota
- World Bicycle Relief
- Minneapolis Area Crisis Nursery
- In the Heart of the Beast Mask and Puppet Theatre
It’s rewarding to look back on 2014 and see all we accomplished together as a team. But it’s far more exciting to look ahead. As of January 2, Software for Good, LLC will be known as Software for Good, GBC — officially one of the first public benefit corporations in the state of Minnesota. Our team continues to grow. And we have an astounding number of cool projects kicking off in the coming weeks.
We’re ready for you, 2015. Here’s to another year of doing good together!