We Work To Empower our Future Technology Leaders and Narrow the Digital Divide Between Rural and Urban Areas
Reducing the Digital Divide
We reduce the gap between rural and non-rural communities by providing technology education resources, scholarships, and assistive technology devices to rural students.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the RTF is to help rural students recognize opportunities in technology careers, facilitate pathways to work in the computer industry, and provide equitable access to technology for students with disabilities.
WHAT WE DO
We work with rural schools and libraries to deliver technology education resources to support computer science and STEM education classes and extracurricular programs. We also provide scholarships for rural students pursuing computer-related majors and assistive technology equipment to increase education access for students with disabilities.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The success of the RTF is highly reliant upon donations from businesses and individuals who support our work. Your donations support our donations of technology education equipment, assistive technology, and scholarships for rural students.
Who Are We?
We recognize that talent is distributed equally, but opportunity is not.
Rural students often have fewer opportunities for exposure to technology than their urban or suburban counterparts, greatly limiting their ability to pursue tech-related careers. Growing up in rural Kentucky, RTF Founder Chris Sanders saw this problem first-hand and experienced how high-paying tech jobs can help end generational poverty in rural families and lift up entire communities. He started the RTF in 2008 to help introduce other rural students to the potential of technology careers and equip them with the education they needed to pursue those jobs.
We strive to give students the opportunity to explore cutting-edge career paths, bring technology to life, and imagine their future as one with limitless creative potential. We know that you care about the future of these children too, and together we can create more equitable opportunities for them.
projects We Fund
Most of our work manifests through the funding of teacher and student-led projects in public schools or libraries. We typically fund projects that align with these principles:
- Projects that help introduce and teach students about computer technology. This includes computer science, programming, robotics, engineering, and design.
- Projects that teach students to solve real-world, human service, and community impacting problems using computer technology.
- Projects that are conducted by schools in rural or high-poverty areas.
- Projects that are designed to reach multiple students within a school, equitably.
- Projects that help establish ongoing student interest groups like maker spaces and coding clubs.
- Assistive technology projects that increase equitable access to technology
YOUR SUPPORT
CAN CHANGE LIVES
Our ability to help more students is directly tied to your support through our fundraising efforts.
Your donation will go directly to supporting rural and economically disadvantaged students by providing computer science and STEM equipment, curriculum, scholarships, and assistive technology in classrooms and libraries across the country.
These programs support students in their pursuit of a better life through technology education.
Get Involved!
Your donations help us keep going.
LATEST NEWS
News and Information from the Rural Technology Fund
Jumping in Feet First: Robotics Competitions in Shade Gap, PA
RTF Annual Report 2021
One Librarian’s Approach to STEM: Create a Technology Petting Zoo!
Apply for Assistive Technology Funding from the RTF
RECENT RECIPIENTS
Recent winners of RTF scholarships
