First Tech Fund Announces Conclusion of One-Time Tech Request Program
First Tech Fund announces the conclusion of their One-Time Tech Request Program after empowering over 150 students across New York City
NEW YORK, NY - First Tech Fund—a nonprofit organization dedicated to catalyzing the economic mobility of low-income NYC students, today announced the conclusion of its One-Time Tech Request Program. Since its inception, the program has provided over 150 laptops to students across New York City, enabling them to access essential school resources, college information, internships, and career opportunities.
The One-Time Tech Request Program has been instrumental in First Tech Fund’s mission to support students from underrepresented communities. By supplying free technology to those in need, the initiative ensured that students had the tools necessary to thrive in today’s digital-first world. Many recipients shared stories of how the program transformed their educational journeys, granting them access to online learning platforms, college application resources, and professional development opportunities.
The program started initially to scale our impact and provide technology access to students not accepted into the year-long Fellowship program, which historically only had between 50 and 100 seats. Our final technology distribution occurred in December 2024, with FTF providing 22 laptops to juniors and seniors at International High School at Prospect Heights, with donated laptops from Mastercard.
Despite its undeniable success, the program faced significant challenges in securing sustainable funding and maintaining the staffing support needed to continue operations. For the last three years, only Josue De Paz, First Tech Fund’s CEO, and Hana Seligman, our Co-Founder, Board Secretary, and dedicated volunteer, ran the program, doing everything from laptop pick-ups at corporate offices, to setting up devices, to communicating with students and physically delivering the laptops. First Tech Fund’s leadership team made the difficult decision to conclude the program and focus its efforts on other initiatives that align with the organization’s long-term goals and capacity.
“The One-Time Tech Request Program was a labor of love and a testament to the power of community-driven support for students,” said Josue De Paz, CEO & co-founder of First Tech Fund. “While we are incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made through this initiative, the realities of limited funding and staff bandwidth have led us to make this difficult but necessary decision. We remain committed to our mission and are exploring new ways to support students in attaining academic and professional opportunities”.
“For the past two years, First Tech Fund has graciously provided 50+ laptops to 11th and 12th graders immigrant students at the International High School for Prospect Heights. For many of our students, this was the first personal computer that they had received in the United States. These computers empowered our students to be more independent in getting their homework done, and beginning to do college research,” said International High School at Prospect Heights Social Studies teacher Mr. Vincent. My students told me how having a computer eased the burdens on their families, allowing them to save their money and use it on other pressing needs. Some of my graduating students told me that they have been using their computers during the first college semester, which has been a lifesaver since financial aid distribution was delayed.”
First Tech Fund extends its gratitude to the donors, partners, and volunteers who made the One-Time Tech Request Program possible. Their generosity and dedication were pivotal in creating opportunities for so many students to succeed in their educational and professional endeavors. First Tech Fund will continue to operate the other programs in their portfolio and current students will see no disruptions of service.
As First Tech Fund looks to the future, the organization is prioritizing initiatives that align with its strategic vision and capacity. Community members and supporters are encouraged to stay connected and join First Tech Fund in its continued efforts to create a more equitable and accessible economic landscape for students in need.
For more information, please visit First Tech Fund’s website at www.firsttechfund.com.
ABOUT FIRST TECH FUND
First Tech Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to empowering low income students in identifying, navigating, and attaining academic and professional opportunities. First Tech Fund provides a supportive, adaptive ecosystem where students get access to free tech, free broadband, skills training, social capital, mentorship, and more. Follow First Tech Fund on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.