Impact
CEO Council gift to Think Big for Kids aligns donation with mission
Tampa Bay Software CEO Council donated more than $10,000 to Think Big for Kids, a nonprofit founded in 2016 by Tony DiBenedetto, tech executive and entrepreneur.
Think Big for Kids provides career exploration, mentorship and skills development for underprivileged youth from 6th grade to 12th grade. Think Big for Kids partners with Boys & Girls Clubs and similar organizations to reduce systemic poverty and prepare young people to excel in high-demand professions .
Those goals resonated with the members of the Tampa Bay Software CEO Council, which has a mission to make the area a magnet for tech talent.
“The CEO Council was seeking a worthy cause that aligned with our mission, and it was unanimous among the group that we would support this incredible organization,” Jack Berlin, CEO of Accusoft and founder of the Council, said in a news release. “The work they’re doing to end the cycle of poverty and get kids excited about careers is something we all value, as business owners and most of us as parents ourselves.”
DiBenedetto is a former software CEO himself. He co-founded Tribridge, a Tampa software and cloud services company, and was CEO when Tribridge sold to DXC Technology Co. in July 2017 for $152 million. He previously has said he founded Think Big for Kids because he grew up in poverty and succeeded thanks to mentors who helped him in his educational pursuits.
“This donation comes at a critical time, when a majority of the kids we serve have recently experienced tremendous personal and educational upheaval. We have a unique opportunity to extend our reach and impact, thanks to this group who understands the importance of giving back and developing our next generation of talent,” DiBenedetto said.
Funds raised by the CEO Council will be used by Think Big for Kids to support program expenses, transportation for field trips and special events, student supplies and tools needed to communicate and maximize student participation.
In addition to Accusoft, other Software CEO Council member companies include A-LIGN, AgileThought, Bond-Pro, FairWarning, Geographic Solutions, Haneke Design, MercuryWorks, Sourcetoad, Spirion and SunView Software. The CEO Council is part of Tampa Bay Tech, a nonprofit technology council.
