Education Foundation Moves Hackathon to DreamLarge
SARASOTA, Fla. (Dec. 19, 2018) -- The Education Foundation of Sarasota County announced today they are partnering with DreamLarge, the philanthropic arm of local innovation agency ATLARGE, which will assume production of #SRQHacks, a free, three-day hackathon focused on engaging students in technology, entrepreneurship, design and marketing.
Catalyzed three years ago by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, #SRQHacks is designed to empower local students ages 13-18 through an intense immersion experience in which they work together with community mentors to design solutions that solve community-wide issues.
“We are thrilled that #SRQHacks Hackathon has found a new home with the team at DreamLarge,” said Education Foundation of Sarasota County President Jennifer Vigne.
“As part of our mission, the Education Foundation created this event to inspire innovation in education by empowering students to work together on real community issues while also connecting to career possibilities and 21st century skills.
“We are confident that SRQHacks will continue to grow with DreamLarge opening doors to new opportunities to engage with the community.” Vigne said.
DreamLarge has been engaged with the Hackathon since its inception, focused on educating and inspiring participants by contributing philanthropic resources for student directed donations. DreamLarge builds and supports initiatives that focus on a triple bottom line—people, planet and purpose--by enriching communities they serve through originative and thoughtful initiatives that foster human connection, positive growth and collaboration.
Current DreamLarge initiatives include PINC: People, Ideas, Nature and Creativity; All Faiths Food Bank, allowing their mission to speak for themself with the rollout of its rebranding; and #LightsOutSRQ, helping shine a light on climate action within our community, to name a few.
“The Education Foundation of Sarasota County has taken an incredible change-making role in creating #SRQHacks Hackathon,” said DreamLarge founder Anand Pallegar. “We’ve been believers since since Day 1, seeking to enhance it by bringing a philanthropic experience to the kids who have participated each year. We’re thrilled at the opportunity to further the impact throughout our community.”
The transition of #SRQHacks to DreamLarge will take place in 2019 when the event moves from January to the fall.
About the Education Foundation
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County is an independent partner working to advance philanthropic support for Sarasota County Schools. Its mission is to enhance the potential of students, promote excellence in teaching and inspire innovation in education. Guided by the belief that education changes lives, the Education Foundation strives to match each donor’s passion with high-impact projects created to ensure students graduate with purpose and are prepared for a postsecondary pathway. The Education Foundation of Sarasota County and its philanthropic investors are champions for students, teachers and schools. For more information on how to be a champion for education, visit EdFoundationSRQ.org.
About DreamLarge
Launched as the philanthropic arm of ATLARGE, DreamLarge was one of the earliest Benefit Corporations in the State of Florida. Born from one principle: Wherever we are, whatever we do, we have a duty to serve our community, DreamLarge’s purpose is simple – to enrich the communities we serve through innovation, while making a difference through human connection, storytelling, and thought-provoking initiatives. DreamLarge was launched with the intent of building or supporting initiatives that focus on a triple bottom line – people, planet, profits. Initiatives include Design Disruptors, Gulf Coast Innovative Challenge, #SRQHacks, #LightsOutSRQ, and the PINC Experience which reaches a global audience from Sarasota to The Netherlands, to name a few. For more information, visit www.DreamLarge.org.