The Marina Orth Foundation and The Last Mile Education Fund Receive Perficient Global Grant

At Perficient, we take immense pride in igniting positive change around the world. Since Perficient’s Giving Employee Resource Group (ERG) launching the Perficient Global Grants Program earlier this year, we have seen remarkable enthusiasm and commitment from our global colleagues, each championing their favorite charitable causes with passion and purpose. Through this initiative, we can support organizations that align with our philanthropic mission to advance STEM education and improve health and well-being..

We have already shared the exciting news about three deserving recipients of the Perficient Global Grant, each making a significant impact in our global communities. Today, we are thrilled to reveal the final two organizations selected for this round of global grants – the Marina Orth Foundation and the Last Mile Education Fund! Nominated by Perficient colleagues Andres Jejen Tabares, Technical Consultant, Colombia, and Reeya Shrestha, Associate Technical Consultant, Automation, these two exceptional nonprofit organizations are driving exponential change in the community.  

Educating for the Future with the Marina Orth Foundation  

The Marina Orth Foundation was established by award-winning journalist and former Peace Corps volunteer, Maureen Orth, with a mission to improve the education of children and youth from disadvantaged areas in Colombia.  This organization is revolutionizing educational opportunities by integrating technology and innovative teaching methods. By creating technology-focused curriculum for children in underserved communities, the foundation aims to bridge the digital divide and equip students with essential digital skills for future success. 

Andres teaching students in Nuqui

In addition to technology, the Marina Orth Foundation emphasizes the importance of English language proficiency and leadership development. It also provides training to help teachers establish effective classroom practices, foster collaborative learning environments, and promote community involvement.   

Andres nominated the Marina Orth Foundation having previously volunteered with the foundation as a teacher to advance STEM education in the Nuqui region of Colombia.   

 

“For years, I have volunteered with the Marina Orth Foundation as a teacher helping kids in poor conditions. The organization does amazing things for the kids, and it’s great to see the impact firsthand.”

Andres Jejen Tabares, Technical Consultant, Colombia

 

 

Through his personal volunteer work, Andres saw how impactful and transformative the foundation’s role is in empowering students to further enhance their knowledge. Thanks to Andres’ nomination and Perficient’s support of the Marina Orth Foundation, we’re helping children reach their full potential. 

 

 

Supporting and Enabling Career Growth Through The Last Mile Education Fund 

The Last Mile Education Fund is dedicated to supporting underrepresented students pursuing careers in technology and engineering. Most scholarship programs seek to identify “top” talent and reward them with support – as long as they stay at the top. The Last Mile Fund believes this model leaves out too many capable students and overfunds a select few. Unlike those traditional scholarship programs, Last Mile takes an “abundance approach,” investing in a broader range of students already committed to technology and engineering fields, providing support to students facing challenges beyond their control, and incubating them to be the next generation of innovators.

Our colleague Reeya Shrestha nominated The Last Mile Education Fund for a Perficient Global Grant to pay it forward to the organization that supported her own education journey.  

Reeya was impressed with the speed at which the organization could help. Within a week of applying, Reeya received the financial support she needed to find success in her final stages of education. 

 

“The Last Mile Education Fund really helped with my career journey and led me to Perficient. Now, I have the opportunity to pay it forward to an organization that is near and dear to my heart.”

Reeya Shrestha, Associate Technical Consultant, Automation

 

Since 2020, the Last Mile Education Fund has awarded $2.9 million in grants to almost 3,000 students, aiding their degree completion and entry into the tech workforce. Their approach not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters a cycle of reinvestment, as graduates contribute back to support future students. As a result of their positive experience, Reeya and other former recipients actively pay it forward by contributing back to the organization.  In fact, most donations for the Last Mile Education Fund come from previous recipients.   

 

Through Reeya’s nomination, Perficient and our colleagues are supporting the Last Mile Education Fund’s mission to enable and provide equitable access to education for students around the world.  

Paying it Forward at Perficient  

The generosity and dedication of our Perficient colleagues continue to shine brightly through the Perficient Global Grants Program. By supporting these remarkable organizations, we exemplify our commitment to making a difference and advancing our corporate giving pillars.  

As we celebrate the impactful work of these nonprofits, we look forward to our next opportunity to contribute. This September, we will open the nominations once again and invite our global team to suggest more charitable organizations that resonate with their values. Together, we will continue to drive positive change and support the causes that matter most.  

 

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