Florence Bank Donates $5,000 to Tech Foundry in its 10th Anniversary Year

We were proud to donate $5,000 to Tech Foundry of Springfield in its 10th anniversary year, supporting its newly established Innovation Fund to help enhance the organization’s digital literacy curriculum and grow its reach.

Serving Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin counties, Tech Foundry provides tech training and mentoring, increases access to careers and jobs in the tech field, builds talent and opportunity pipelines, drives digital literacy and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the region.

Training and mentorship are available at its classrooms in Springfield and off-site at organizations such as Councils on Aging and libraries across the region. A new learning lab, called the Tech Hub, in Holyoke, also allows a focus on digital literacy, training, device distribution and tech support. 

“Tech Foundry helps connect people to living-wage jobs in the tech sector and increase equity and access for all in our community while driving economic development,” Tricia Canavan, CEO of Tech Foundry, says. “We want to raise awareness of the ways in which we offer opportunity to residents and also partner with employers.”

Founded in 2014, the organization surged after the pandemic, doubling the number of classes offered annually and serving roughly 400 people a month, up from roughly 90 per year before the Tech Hub opened in October 2023. Students and mentees are trained for jobs that include IT help desk, digital imaging and deployment, network administration and field technician. 

“We’ve long been aware of Florence Bank’s deep and broad community support,” says Tricia, expressing gratitude for the recent grant. “They understand the unique needs of the community and can leverage their generous financial donations to really make an impact.”

Florence Bank President and CEO Matt Garrity says, “It’s a win when organizations like Tech Foundry are successful, so we are happy to provide support that will strengthen the organization and the community.”

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Tech Foundry hosted a workforce development luncheon in the spring and held a casual fundraiser, called Gaming for Tech, at the Quarters in Hadley on Sept. 19. On Oct. 24, a gala fundraising event was held at MGM Springfield.

Tricia says the goal is to raise $325,000 for the Innovation Fund to drive growth. Roughly $294,000 has been raised so far, and there is roughly $60,000 left of $100,000 in matching funds. 

To donate, visit thetechfoundry.org/donate.