Watch CBS News

Trivalent To Give Away Tech To Michigan Nonprofits

GRANDVILLE -- The Grandville IT consultants Trivalent Group Monday announced a new philanthropic initiative that will provide tens of thousands of dollars in technology equipment and support to Michigan nonprofits.

The winner of the initiative, called CompassionIT, will be determined through a combination of public vote and the actions of a selection committee.

"We realize that technology keeps many nonprofits from reaching their full potential," said Trivalent Group CEO Larry Andrus. "With CompassionIT, we're seeking to remove the technology barrier so that nonprofits can be all that they can be."

The initiative will provide at least $30,000 in technology equipment and services to a nonprofit that needs the assistance to grow, support others, and do good. Four other finalists will each receive the support of Trivalent staff in analyzing their technology systems and creating technology roadmaps to guide future efforts. The package for finalists is valued at $4,000.  Michigan-based nonprofits with a 501(c)3 designation are eligible to enter CompassionIT.

Starting immediately, nonprofits can submit their nomination form via TGcompassionIT.com.  Completed nominations must be received by Trivalent Group by Oct. 31.

Nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee, made up of Trivalent Group employees from across the state. That committee will narrow the applicants to 20 nonprofits that will be considered for the awards.

Those 20 nonprofits will be narrowed to five finalists through a public vote at TGcompassionIT.com. The ultimate winner will be selected through a combination of public vote (serving as one vote) and the votes of a six-member selection committee.

"We're excited to see the nonprofits that enter, but we're just as excited to team with our Michigan communities to decide which nonprofit receives the top prize," Andrus said.

CompassionIT was born from company discussions focusing on achieving excellence, a constant focus for staff at Trivalent Group.

"We wanted to come up with a way to do something good with what we know – technology," said Bjorn Bylsma, senior systems engineer at Trivalent Group. "We have always focused on doing things in our community, but felt that a statewide effort that combined our passion for technology with public input through an online vote would take our support to another level.  We're ready to truly embrace organizations that are held back by a lack of technology."

Blysma, along with fellow senior systems engineer Justin Vriesman, conceived the idea of CompassionIT.

For more information, visit www.TGcompassionIT.com.

Established in 2003, Trivalent Group also has offices in Mt. Pleasant, Kalamazoo, and Battle Creek.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.