Fort Mill-based nonprofit Road to Hire received a $500,000 funding boost to help the organization advance its tech workforce programs.
Road to Hire, founded in 2014, invests in young adults ages 18 to 25 who want high-level job skills but don't have access to a college degree. The nonprofit offers apprenticeship and scholarship programs designed to help underrepresented students gain access to careers in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, fields.
It will use the funding to advance those programs and boost diversity and equity in the tech industry.
The donation comes from New Jersey-based Cognizant, a global company that works to provide communities with STEM education, industry-informed training and career pathways in technology. Cognizant recently made a $5.3 million commitment to 14 North American organizations to help grow careers in tech. The donation is part of the company's global pledge to promote inclusion, elevate underserved communities and provide job opportunities.
“Cognizant understands the power of technology to modernize, reimagine and transform communities,” said Tobi Young, head of philanthropy and senior vice president of corporate and regulatory affairs at Cognizant. “Through our philanthropic efforts, we are expanding on ramps to tech careers through greater access to high-quality STEM education and inclusion for those historically underrepresented in the industry."
In 2021, Cognizant announced a five-year, $250 million effort including philanthropic funding and contributions to advance economic mobility, educational opportunity, and health and well-being in communities around the world, the company said.
“Road to Hire is grateful for Cognizant’s continued commitment to supporting young adults on the path to high-growth, high-earning careers," said Kacey Grantham, CEO at the nonprofit. "Due to this collaboration, Road to Hire’s reach will expand this year to more than 1,600 young adults of color underrepresented in tech. This work could not be done without excellent partners such as Cognizant.”
Last year, Road to Hire received $200,000 from Cognizant to help the organization further achieve its mission. The organization partners with local employers to provide a six-month paid, full-time apprenticeship, at the end of which, graduates earn a full-time entry-level position in software development or cybersecurity making at least $55,000, CBJ previously reported.
Since implementing the program, Road to Hire has invested in about 1,300 students as of last year. The nonprofit's employer partners include Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC), Lowe’s Cos. Inc., Atrium Health, Novant Health, NASCAR, Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE: DUK), Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC), Red Ventures, Truist Financial Corp. (NYSE: TFC) and Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY).
