Organization:Good Things Foundation

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Short description: British registered charity


Good Things Foundation
Formation2010 (14 years ago)
HeadquartersSheffield, United Kingdom
Group CEO
Helen Milner
Chair
Liz Williams
Websitehttps://www.goodthingsfoundation.org

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]

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

Originally 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

Since 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

Good 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

CEO

  • Helen Milner (2011 – present)

Chair

  • Lord Jim Knight (2011 –  2016)
  • Liz Williams (2016 – present)

References

  1. "Digital Lifeline: A qualitative evaluation" (in en). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/digital-lifeline-a-qualitative-evaluation/digital-lifeline-a-qualitative-evaluation. 
  2. "Cost of living: Inside the 'foodbank' for data" (in en-GB). BBC News. 2022-07-26. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-61974877. 
  3. Birkwood, Susannah. "Tinder Foundation changes name to avoid confusion with dating app" (in en). https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/article/1416713?utm_source=website&utm_medium=social. 
  4. "Memorandum submitted by Ufi Ltd". 9 December 2004. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmcumeds/81/81we65.htm. 
  5. "Tinder Foundation becomes Good Things Foundation" (press release). Good Things Foundation. goodthingsfoundation.org. November 23, 2016. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  6. "The Tinder Foundation changes its name to avoid confusion with dating app". https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/the-tinder-foundation-changes-its-name-to-avoid-confusion-with-dating-app.html. 
  7. Birkwood, Susannah. "Tinder Foundation changes name to avoid confusion with dating app". https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/article/1416713. 
  8. "Emma Stone: Failure to tackle digital exclusion will undermine every council priority" (in en). Local Government Chronicle. 2022-07-21. https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/service-reform/emma-stone-failure-to-tackle-digital-exclusion-will-undermine-every-council-priority-21-07-2022/. 
  9. "Internet providers have 'moral obligation' to help customers through cost of living crisis" (in en). https://news.sky.com/story/internet-providers-have-moral-obligation-to-help-customers-through-cost-of-living-crisis-12653276. 
  10. May, Melanie (2021-08-11). "Good Things Foundation and Virgin Media O2 partner on initiative to tackle data poverty" (in en). https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/08/11/good-things-foundation-and-virgin-media-o2-partner-on-initiative-to-tackle-data-poverty/. 
  11. Jackson, Mark (2022-07-28). "Vodafone UK Donates 500,000 Free Mobile Data SIMs to Public" (in en). https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2022/07/vodafone-uk-donates-500000-free-mobile-data-sims-to-public.html. 
  12. "Virgin Media O2 launches National Databank to connect the disconnected | Mobile Marketing Magazine" (in en). http://mobilemarketingmagazine.com/virgin-media-o2-launches-national-databank-to-connect-the-disconnected. 
  13. "Adults to benefit from digital skills overhaul" (in en). https://www.gov.uk/government/news/adults-to-benefit-from-digital-skills-overhaul. 
  14. "HMCTS services: Digital Support" (in en). https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hmcts-services-digital-support. 
  15. "Making Tax Digital for VAT - screening equality impact assessment" (in en). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-tax-digital-for-vat-screening-equality-impact-assessment/making-tax-digital-for-vat-screening-equality-impact-assessment. 
  16. "London launches Digital Inclusion Service pilot" (in en). https://www.ukauthority.com/articles/london-launches-digital-inclusion-service-pilot/. 
  17. "Manchester mayor launches new digital inclusion initiatives" (in en). https://www.ukauthority.com/articles/manchester-mayor-launches-new-digital-inclusion-initiatives/. 

External links