Players Coalition Awards $100,000 to Support Digital Inclusion in Austin with Support from Electronic Arts
(AUSTIN, TX) – On May 4-5, Players Coalition, a nonprofit founded by former NFL players Anquan Boldin and Malcolm Jenkins, dedicated to making an impact on social justice and racial equality, and Compudopt, an organization aimed at providing technology to impacted students in the public school system, hosted a pop-up computer donation event for low income students and families in Austin.
The computer drive is part of a $100,000 Players Coalition grant awarded to Compudopt in partnership with Electronic Arts to directly impact more than 200 students and families most in need. Half of the grant provided 180 qualifying youth in Austin with free computers, while the other half provided an additional 50 elementary school students with a semester of technology education programming and a home computer. These students will be part of three different cohorts launching this June. In total, 230 students and families received the technology needed, along with two years of tech support and a two year computer warranty, to close the digital divide.
Compudopt delivers computer donation events across the country working with local schools and community groups serving students in need and provides both the devices and hands-on,
project-based learning.
“We live in a world driven by technology. To ensure all students are set up for success, it is vital that they all have access to computers for in class and remote schooling. Players Coalition is honored to continue to support Compudopt’s work to facilitate growth in technical and digital literacy skills and support the future of our youth and their communities.” - Kelvin Beachum, Players Coalition Task Force Member and Arizona Cardinal
This investment will ultimately improve the quality of education for these students and prepare them for a better future.
“The Covid-19 pandemic did not create the digital divide, but it did show us where our systems desperately need to improve. At Compudopt, we believe access to devices provides more than just an opportunity for e-learning, it helps the success and future of the whole family. The ultimate benefit of technology access is the facilitation of connection.” - Megan Steckly , Chief Executive Officer at Compudopt
Players Coalition, Compudopt and Electronic Arts will continue collaborating this year to bridge the technology and resource gap in underinvested communities and schools around the country.
About Players Coalition
Players Coalition is an independent 501(c)(3) (charity) and 501(c)(4) (advocacy) organization, working with professional athletes, coaches and owners across leagues to improve social justice and racial equality in our country. Founded in 2017 by NFL players Anquan Boldin and Malcolm Jenkins, Players Coalition continues to grow exponentially with representation from more than 1,500 athlete advocates across 12 professional leagues.
About Compudopt
Compudopt is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 with a mission to provide technology access and education to underserved youth. To date, it has distributed over 41,000 devices to students in need, delivered over 120,000 hours of technology education to over 43,000 students, and diverted 450+ tons of computer hardware from landfills. Compudopt has programs in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington D.C.. Learn more at
www.compudopt.org.
