BC Business
BCBusiness + Charitable Impact
Every year in the fall, Vancouver’s tech community picks up their ping pong paddles and comes together to raise money for charitable causes. In its sixth year, TechPong attracts the best and the brightest to a huge ping pong tournament and party. TechPong 2019 takes place on November 7th at Science World and promises to be bigger and better than ever before. We’re expecting 1,000 people and have set a fundraising goal of $100,000. Together with the tech community, we’re working to build the future we all imagine.
“TechPong is very much becoming a Vancouver tradition that reflects the growth, enthusiasm and imagination of BC’s tech sector,” says Dan Brodie, Chief Operating Officer at Charitable Impact. “As the number of start-ups and major tech corporations increases provincewide, the demand for young talent and skilled tech workers becomes stronger. TechPong provides valuable opportunities for building connections and creating community across the sector.”
Under a Fun Fair theme, at TechPong 2019, attendees can challenge new friends to carnival games, like strong man and mind control. Special guests, such as climbers from The Hive, will be on-hand to challenge others’ grip and bouldering skills. Plus, the evening promises to have circus-style entertainment and music all night long.
Ping pong for a cause
Tournament competition can get fierce but it’s all for a good cause. Local leaders like Samsung, Shopify, Clio, Fully Managed, Allocadia, Thinkific, Bananatag are on the roster. The ping pong tournament will crown one glorious champion from among top tech teams who have qualified by fundraising at least $2,000.
Prizes from the Whitecaps, like access to a box suite, are providing some valuable incentives for teams who raise the most money. Several teams are already off to the races in raising donations. Local digital agency BlenderMedia met their goal this year by carrying out some classics like jelly bean counting and bake sales.
“TechPong seemed like an awesome opportunity to give back to the community and generate awareness around our chosen charity, Covenant House,” said Maria Stanciulescu, BlenderMedia Digital Designer. “The tournament itself was a major draw too since I knew this was something that the team could get excited about. I’m very happy to say that we’ve recently managed to reach our goal, and are continuing to surpass it.”
Charitable Impact driving fundraising
The team at Charitable Impact also gets into the game. The host organization provides fundraising inspiration, ideas, and support to teams participating in the tournament. All donations are processed through the platform. To further amplify giving, the company donates several thousand in charitable dollars as prizes to those who attend TechPong.
Charitable Impact itself has experienced a high level of growth since its founding in 2011, now having processed over $530 million in charitable donations. In October, the company launched a new brand to reflect the diversity of its donors, which includes school-aged children who participate in the Charitable Allowance program, individuals setting up giving legacies with their varied assets, and anyone who wants to create change through giving. Across Canada, individuals use Charitable Impact to manage all of their charitable giving. To date, over 110,000 people have donated to over 9,000 charities through the platform.
Platform for charity taking the stage
John Bromley, Founder & CEO started Charitable Impact as a place that works for the donor, noticing a lack of tools that empowered donors to give with clarity and impact. The start-up was the first in Canada to provide the donor-advised fund as a giving tool to work for anyone, whether they are making a $5 or a $50 million donation. This allows donors to contribute to their giving account through Charitable Impact, then take the time and space to decide which causes they would like to support. The 50-plus Charitable Impact team based in Vancouver provides support to donors to help them find causes that align with their passions and interests.
With Charitable Impact’s updated platform, they have added more leading tools to the charitable space. For example, a newly launched research-backed search engine helps individuals find charities, from familiar favourites to hidden gems. Donors can receive recommendations and more easily connect with registered charities from the more than 85,000 across Canada.
“TechPong is a celebration of the generosity that abounds in our vibrant local tech sector,” said Bromley. “This year, TechPong will also be an opportunity to showcase the growth and success that we have experienced at Charitable Impact. We are looking forward to marking this moment with the tech community.”
www.techpong.ca