The Nashville Technology Council Foundation

The Nashville Technology Council Foundation (NTCF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the education and workforce development efforts of the Greater Nashville Technology Council (NTC), focusing on cultivating technology talent in Middle Tennessee. Established in 2013, NTCF mobilizes fundraising to enhance technical education and talent development programs that span from elementary school through adulthood, aiming to build sustainable pathways for future technology professionals by fostering problem solvers and creative thinkers.

Mission and Purpose

NTCF's mission is to raise funds to support the NTC’s talent development initiatives, thereby expanding technology education opportunities and workforce readiness across the region. It acts as the fundraising arm to support programs that address the shortage of skilled technology workers by connecting students, educators, and technology professionals.

History

The foundation’s roots trace back to 2008 when the Nashville Technology Council began initiatives to align area university curricula with local industry needs, aiming to increase qualified job applicants for the tech sector. In 2013, the nonprofit entity known as the Nashville Technology Council Foundation was created (initially as Turning the Tides of Technology) to focus specifically on STEM education and workforce development.

In 2015, NTC and NTCF secured an $850,000 LEAP grant from the State of Tennessee to further raise tech career awareness through camps, industry field trips, a technology lending library, and internships. That year, NTC also became the Nashville lead organization for President Obama’s TechHire program, emphasizing non-traditional recruitment and accelerated tech training based on skills rather than formal credentials.

Programs and Impact

NTCF supports a variety of initiatives that foster talent development, such as:

• Enabling students to visit tech industry professionals and gain real-world exposure.
• Providing underserved student populations access to technology camps to develop in-demand tech skills.
• Lending robotics kits and coding tools to teachers for classroom instruction.
• Encouraging technology professionals to lead “Hour of Code” sessions, promoting coding literacy among young learners.

These efforts aim not simply to fill immediate workforce gaps but to create long-lasting investment in the region’s technology ecosystem, resonating through the Middle Tennessee community for years to come.

Organizational Structure

As an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Nashville Technology Council Foundation collaborates closely with private foundations and corporate partners to secure funding for its programs. The organization is led by Executive Director Sandi Hoff, who also serves as Chief of Staff.

Relation to Greater Nashville Technology Council

The NTCF functions as the philanthropic arm of the Greater Nashville Technology Council, which serves as the primary connectivity and advocacy organization for the region’s $8 billion tech ecosystem. While the Greater Nashville Technology Council focuses on uniting and promoting the local tech community, NTCF concentrates on funding the educational and talent development pillars necessary to sustain the industry’s growth.

Together, they work to create a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive technology community in Middle Tennessee.

This article is based on information available from the Nashville Technology Council Foundation and Greater Nashville Technology Council websites and related organizational materials.[1][2][3][5]