Competition to host 64 teams in a multi-stage elimination tournament to
raise funds for Code Nation and the Chicago Tech Academy

CHICAGO (August 29, 2022) — T4Youth, a Chicago-founded philanthropic organization that uses the power of table tennis to connect tech companies to aspiring young technologists in low-income circumstances, announced today that, after a two year COVID-related hiatus, it will return on November 1, 2022. Over the course of its eight-year history, T4Youth has donated over $600K directly to 501(c)(3)s that activate technology learning opportunities for Chicago’s youth.

The primary recipients of this year’s proceeds will be Code Nation and the Chicago Tech Academy. Code Nation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes tech communities to help young people gain the skills, experiences, and connections that together create access to careers in technology. Chicago Tech Academy (also known as ChiTech) is an educational community whose mission is to educate, empower, and connect a diverse next generation of entrepreneurial thinkers to discover their passions, succeed in college, and thrive in a digital world.

Team registration is beginning to heat up, with several companies already registered and training. With a cap of 64 teams, the bracket is expected to fill up quickly. Team registration packages start at $1,000 per team, and companies can register directly at T4Youth.org.

SPiN Chicago, a long-time presenting sponsor that graciously donates its space, employees, and resources to help make T4Youth a success, is hosting the tournament for a fourth year.

The popular “Executive Challenge” — a singles tournament that matches up C-suite individuals — is also open for registration at the T4Youth website. There are numerous sponsorship opportunities for the event as well; companies interested in sponsoring can email trisha@jumpcap.com to learn more.

T4Youth focuses on increasing access to STEAM education because, across the country, only 25% of under-resourced high schools offer computer science (CS) classes, which limits the ability of their students to pursue careers in the growing tech industry. While Chicago was the first major city in the country to launch a CSforAll initiative and institute a CS high school graduation requirement, inequitable access remains a huge challenge.

Sarah Sherman, Business Manager to CEO at ABN AMRO Clearing Chicago, offered, “We are proud to support T4Youth again this year. We are thrilled to see the tournament return and are passionate about empowering the next generation of our industry by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity… as well as fun!”

“After a two-year hiatus, the way the Chicago tech community has welcomed us back is incredibly encouraging,” commented Ryan Pollock, T4Youth co-founder and founder of tech recruiting firm Objective Paradigm. “T4Youth has become much more than a single night, as the relationships formed that evening between the techies and CodeNation and ChiTech continue to grow stronger throughout the year.”

Fellow T4Youth co-founder Drew Mauck, founder and CEO of PR firm 3Points, added, “This is the time to go all-in for Chicago’s youth, many of whom struggled during the prolonged COVID crisis. We expect companies will fill the 64 slots quickly, as this event balances good times with wicked serious focus and competition. The drama is so high, even the spectators break a sweat!”

Companies will be competing to join the list of tournament winners, which includes:

• 2019: Magnetar Capital
• 2018: Hudson River Trading
• 2017: Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois
• 2016: Enova
• 2015: Slalom
• 2014: DRW

Follow T4Youth on Twitter to receive updates about the tournament and other developments in the coming weeks.

About T4Youth

T4Youth is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the advancement of STEAM education for minority and low-income students. Through its annual table tennis competition, T4Youth brings together Chicago’s tech ecosystem to support STEAM education initiatives. Founded in 2014 by 3Points Communications, Objective Paradigm, and SPR, the organization has raised over $600,000. To learn more about T4Youth, visit T4Youth.org or follow @T4Youth on Twitter.

About Code Nation

Code Nation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes the tech community to help more young people gain the skills, experiences, and connections that together create access to careers in technology. With a volunteer teaching corps of nearly 300 professional web and software developers, Code Nation mobilizes the tech community to provide tuition-free coding courses and work-based learning programs to students who attend under-resourced high schools. To learn more, visit codenation.org or follow @itsCodeNation.

About Chicago Tech Academy

Chicago Tech Academy is an educational community whose mission is to educate, empower and connect a diverse next generation of entrepreneurial thinkers to discover their passions, succeed in college and thrive in a digital world. To learn more about the Chicago Tech Academy, visit chitech.org or follow @ChiTechAcademy on Twitter.

T4Youth Media Contact

Drew Mauck
3Points Communications
Drew@3PTscomm.com