10 Key Milestones in Making Pro-Bono a Tech Industry Standard

At Tech To The Rescue, we’ve seen incredible growth and impact in the pro-bono tech movement last year. In 2025, we’re taking more significant steps to make pro-bono work the standard for tech companies worldwide. Here are 10 milestones from last year that have brought us closer to our goal of making “pro-bono for impact” a tech industry norm.

First, let’s clarify what we mean by “pro-bono for impact.” Do you know that the original meaning coming from Latin of “pro-bono” is “for the public good”? At Tech To The Rescue, we define pro-bono as a service provided by tech companies on a free of charge (or low-charge) to a nonprofit organisation that is tackling the world’s most urgent challenges. To make sure the technological innovation really makes an impact “for the public good”, our team matches tech companies with vetted nonprofits working on global issues that need tech solutions.

1. More than 400 tech companies and 600 nonprofits joined our movement

In 2024, we proudly grew our Tech To The Rescue community by 422 tech companies, mainly software development companies and software consultancy agencies. Along with the increase in number of tech companies, we also managed to attract  632 nonprofits and social impact organisations to our global community. These organizations are working to solve pressing global challenges and believe that technology can boost their impact. Now they can benefit from the expertise of tech teams pro-bono, after submitting a project on our platform. Discover inspiring stories of these impactful collaborations here.

2. Technology worth $6.2M delivered pro-bono for the impact sector

In 2024, our team has forged more than 300 impactful matches between tech companies and nonprofits, contributing to over 6.2 million USD in impact. This is the first time that we monitor the value of the pro-bono projects that are facilitated by Tech To The Rescue, and our ambition is to double this number in 2025. 

3. Showcasing the value of pro-bono partnerships at leading technology events

We’re proud to be advocates for social impact via pro-bono in tech at leading events like MIT Imagination in Action, re:invent by AWS, AI for Good, UNGA, Women in Tech and the European ESG Summit. As we shape up the narrative around the importance of pro-bono for social impact, we are gearing up to be more vocal about our mission and movement in 2025. Watch Jacek Siadkowski, CEO of Tech To The Rescue, and his panel discussions with leaders from AWS, Google.org, Salesforce and the Gates Foundation at MIT in April 2024.

4. Launching the Tech for Good Navigator

We launched the Tech for Good Navigator, a free resource for tech leaders, CMOs, and CSR/ESG professionals. This guide provides practical ways for software agencies to engage in impactful pro-bono projects that make a real difference in the world. Download your free guide here. 

5. Awarding tech companies with Tech for Good Badges

For the second consecutive year, we awarded 40 Tech for Good Badges to tech companies, software agencies, and tech teams that completed pro-bono projects for nonprofits and received excellent feedback. These badges celebrate commitment to making a social impact through tech. Learn more about how you can get your badge here. 

6. Partnering with Clutch.co to amplify our mission

We strengthened our mission by partnering with Clutch.co, the world’s largest B2B service agency database. Together, we are amplifying our efforts to make pro-bono work an industry standard for tech companies, helping raise awareness and support for pro-bono projects. Find out more about the partnership. 

7. Launching the AI for Changemakers Accelerator program

Our biggest milestone of 2024 was the launch of AI for Changemakers, the world’s largest AI accelerator for social impact. With support from AWS and Google.org, and partnership of Lenovo, IDEO, DeepLearning.AI, Netguru and more, the program has attracted 250+ tech companies committed to building AI-driven solutions for 110 tech-driven nonprofits in a pro-bono model. Tech teams and nonprofits are invited to apply to the two upcoming cohorts running in 2025: AI for Education, AI for Job Opportunity (find timelines for applications on the program page). 

8. Organising a global Zero Hunger Hackathon

We hosted our third global hackathon in collaboration with AWS, focusing on building prototypes for nonprofits in the food security sector. Over 200 tech teams from 50 countries participated, showcasing the power of collective innovation in solving urgent global problems. Find out about the winners of the Hackathon here. 

9. Hosting the AI for Good Reception at UNGA

The AI for Good Reception, held during UNGA in New York, was a pivotal moment for us. It allowed us to connect with sponsors, partners, and changemakers, who share our belief that technology must be accessible to those solving the world’s most pressing issues. Do you want to partner for UNGA 2025? Contact us and let’s talk! 

10. Launched the Tech for Good Talks Podcast

We embarked on an exciting new journey with our Tech for Good Talks podcast. This platform features inspiring stories from tech leaders, philanthropists, and social impact advocates, raising awareness on how technology can make a positive difference in the world. Listen in on Spotify!

The Tech To The Rescue Team, now working from 10 countries across Europe, Latin America and Asia, is committed to making technology accessible for changemakers – ambitious, tech-driven nonprofits that work to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.

In 2024, we are proud to have contributed to amazing causes around the world, by matching nonprofits with amazing tech companies that are willing to build technology pro-bono. 

Find some of those inspiring stories in our Case Studies, and discover how technology makes an impact in improving air quality in Poland (Polish Smog Alert), supporting better election campaigns in Chile (Del Dicho al Hecho), a faster crisis response in Syria (White Helmets), to improve mental health with evidence-based therapy in Ecuador (Vida Plena),  transforming food waste into community nourishment in Uganda (Haba na Haba), or monitor crimes against indigenous communities across Latin America (CRIES).

Looking ahead to 2025

In 2025, we aim to be even sharper and more focused towards making pro-bono work a standard practice across the tech industry. Our vision is clear: to activate every software development agency in the world to engage in at least one pro-bono project for impact every year.

Join us in building a future where technology serves those who need it most, creating a more equitable and sustainable world for generations to come.

Get in touch at [email protected].