Good Things Foundation is a registered charity based in the UK, the objective of which is to make the benefits of digital technology more accessible. It manages the Online Centres Network, the Learn My Way learning platform,[1] and the National Databank.[2]
| Formation | 2010 (14 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Sheffield, United Kingdom |
Group CEO | Helen Milner |
Chair | Liz Williams |
| Website | https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org |
The charity was originally known as Online Centres Foundation before rebranding as Tinder Foundation in 2013. A further rebrand, to Good Things Foundation, took place in November 2016.[3] Good Things Foundation's chief executive is Helen Milner OBE.
History
editOriginally known as Online Centres Foundation, the charity was established in December 2011 to manage the UK online centres contract, taking on the network on from learndirect (then Ufi Ltd).[4]
In July 2013, the company rebranded as Tinder Foundation. In November 2016, they rebranded once more as Good Things Foundation, partially to avoid confusion with dating application Tinder.[5][6][7]
Operations
editSince founding, Good Things Foundation has managed the Online Centres Network – providing support to community organisations teaching digital skills through a learning platform, called Learn My Way. The charity adopted a new strategy in 2022,[8] establishing a 'National Databank' which provides free access to mobile connectivity data for people on low incomes.[9]
Funding
editGood Things Foundation receives funding from a mixture of public, private and third sectors, including Virgin Media O2,[10] Vodafone,[11] and Nominet UK.[12] The charity has worked closely with government departments,[13][14][15] and currently works with regional authorities including the Greater London Authority[16] and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.[17]
People
editCEO
edit- Helen Milner (2011 – present)
Chair
edit- Lord Jim Knight (2011 – 2016)
- Liz Williams (2016 – present)
References
edit- ^ "Digital Lifeline: A qualitative evaluation". GOV.UK. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Cost of living: Inside the 'foodbank' for data". BBC News. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ Birkwood, Susannah. "Tinder Foundation changes name to avoid confusion with dating app". www.thirdsector.co.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Memorandum submitted by Ufi Ltd". Parliament.uk. 9 December 2004. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Tinder Foundation becomes Good Things Foundation Archived 29 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine" (press release). Good Things Foundation. goodthingsfoundation.org. November 23, 2016. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
- ^ "The Tinder Foundation changes its name to avoid confusion with dating app". www.civilsociety.co.uk. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ Birkwood, Susannah. "Tinder Foundation changes name to avoid confusion with dating app". www.thirdsector.co.uk. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ "Emma Stone: Failure to tackle digital exclusion will undermine every council priority". Local Government Chronicle (LGC). Local Government Chronicle. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Internet providers have 'moral obligation' to help customers through cost of living crisis". Sky News. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ May, Melanie (11 August 2021). "Good Things Foundation and Virgin Media O2 partner on initiative to tackle data poverty". UK Fundraising. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ Jackson, Mark (28 July 2022). "Vodafone UK Donates 500,000 Free Mobile Data SIMs to Public". ISPreview UK. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Virgin Media O2 launches National Databank to connect the disconnected | Mobile Marketing Magazine". mobilemarketingmagazine.com. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Adults to benefit from digital skills overhaul". GOV.UK. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "HMCTS services: Digital Support". GOV.UK. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Making Tax Digital for VAT - screening equality impact assessment". GOV.UK. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "London launches Digital Inclusion Service pilot". UKAuthority. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Manchester mayor launches new digital inclusion initiatives". UKAuthority. Retrieved 28 July 2022.