Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK) has launched a philanthropic venture to invest in design-focused nonprofit groups that work to address social issues in education, healthcare, transportation and energy management.
The Autodesk Foundation will offer financial, software and training support to groups through its Impact Design Program, the company said Tuesday.
Lynelle Cameron, Autodesk senior director of sustainability, leads the venture as president and CEO.
“We believe that design offers humanity our greatest hope for addressing some of the most urgent, inter-connected and non-negotiable challenges of our time, ” said Cameron.
“We want to support and accelerate the design-led revolution currently underway, by investing in design-driven entities that are pursuing scalable solutions with measureable impact, ” she added.
The foundation’s grantees include MASS Design Group, D-Rev and the Auburn University’s Rural Studio.
Autodesk has pledged $7.5 million in software donations to at least 500 nonprofit organizations during the first operational year of its Technology Impact program.
This initiative is designed to give nonprofits access to Autodesk’s portfolio of building, infrastructure, entertainment and product design software offerings.
