Canada Learning Code, a non-profit organization that promotes digital literacy and coding education, has received $500,000 from the RBC Foundation to grow its Teens Learning Code programming.
This funding represents RBC Foundation’s second investment to Canada Learning Code.
This funding represents RBC Foundation’s second investment to Canada Learning Code, with the first being a $500,000 investment in August 2018. The coding education organization has also seen commitments from the likes of Amazon, TD Bank, and the federal government.
“As digital technologies play ever-more important roles in our lives, [Canada Learning Code] is committed to providing engaging and practical computer science education opportunities for youth in Canada,” said Melissa Sariffodeen, CEO and founder of Canada Learning Code.
“Through the continued generous contributions from our partners at RBC, we will be able to further deliver on this mission by growing our Teens Learning Code program,” Sariffodeen added.
Canada Learning Code was founded originally as Ladies Learning Code in 2011 and has since expanded to run programs for adults, youth, and educators. Canada Learning Code operates in over 250 communities and claims over 600,000 people have attended its in-person and live online programs.
Canada Learning Code has received numerous commitments from public and private organizations. Last year, the organization received $9.4 million from the federal government’s CanCode program, and in 2018, received $1 million from TD Bank’s Ready Challenge. Amazon also deployed $525,000 in 2018 for Canada Learning Code’s K-12 computer science curriculum, which officially launched in August 2020.
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Following the Toronto Raptors’ NBA Finals win in 2019, Canada Learning Code also received approximately $117,000 from TechToronto and San Francisco-based sf.citi as part of a friendly bet between the two cities’ tech ecosystems.
Teens Learning Code consists of several programs, including a hackathon as well as the Teen Ambassador Program, the latter of which was funded by the RBC Foundation’s August 2018 commitment. The Teen Ambassador Program is a virtual program that allows teens to develop coding, leadership, and communication skills.
“RBC Future Launch program is committed to preparing youth in Canada for the drastically changing world of work,” said Lindsay Smith, COO of RBC investor services. “We are thrilled to further our partnership with Canada Learning Code.”
Image source Canada Learning Code via Instagram.