CompTIA Spark — formerly known as Creating IT Futures — has received a $15,000 donation from The Donley Foundation to help more young people unlock their potential through technology. The Donley Foundation is a grant-making foundation founded in 1987 by Edward and Inez Donley to provide educational skills and resources for young people to achieve their goals. The grant will support the TechGirlz program, which engages middle school girls in technology while building confidence and leadership skills.

CompTIA Spark is bringing TechGirlz workshops to the western suburbs of Chicago through a partnership with the Oak Park Public Library. The Donley Foundation’s grant will support the purchase of new equipment that will allow the library to host more virtual and in-person workshops on exciting tech topics ranging from photography and web mapping to Python programming and digital design.

“We are extremely grateful for this generous gift from the Donley Foundation in support of our TechGirlz program in the Chicago area,” said Sara Neiman, Senior Specialist, Program Operations for TechGirlz. “One of the most significant challenges to getting youth into STEM is accessing valuable, engaging and meaningful educational experiences in the tech space. The Donley Foundation grant helps ensure that our program with the Oak Park Public Library, as well as our other Cook County area programs, will continue to reach more girls to become inspired in tech and increase their confidence in the modern world."