Telecom For Change Rebrands, Supports More Charitable Initiatives

Nonprofit Telecom For Change is rebranding as Tech4Change. Along with the rebrand, Tech4Change is previewing an expanding fundraising strategy.

The name change aligns with the organization’s expanded base of supporters. These include suppliers and partners across the converging telecom and IT channels.

Angie Tocco is the Tech4Change’s co-founder.

Tech4Change’s Angie Tocco

“Telecom For Change has been a greater success than I dreamed in providing direct donations to community groups serving children and families across the country,” Tocco said. “Tech4Change is committed to the same mission. The only difference is that we hope to make a bigger impact by broadening our support base across the entire tech channel ecosystem.”

The Tech4Change brand will debut at the Tech4Change 7th Annual Charity Golf Event, May 1 at the Bali Hai, Las Vegas. It’s in conjunction with the Channel Partners Conference & Expo. Proceeds benefit Aspire2STEAM.org, a nonprofit that provides scholarships and mentoring to underserved young women and girls pursuing education in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

A New Strategy

Tech4Change, which is composed of technology suppliers and channel partners, was formed in 2014 by Tocco and Laura Dashney. Their goal was to gather individual donations among their peers in telecom to benefit grassroots charities. Their effort was met by a groundswell of support from the telecom channel community. The organization’s annual charity golf event and silent auction have raised more than $1.25 million.

Following eight years of fundraising, the co-founders, along with their supporters, board of directors and advisors, are expanding their efforts. Their new aim is to help underfunded community groups. They want to engage in additional fundraising events in partnership with industry publishers, event organizers, technology distributors and other organizations that support community-based charitable groups.

In addition, the organization’s leadership team has changed. Longtime president Tocco is stepping down and into a new role as lifetime board member and chair of the advisory council. Co-founder Dashney remains an officer and an active member of the board.