PHL Innovation Picnic is benefitting these 3 tech nonprofits

We now have the full update on the PHL Innovation Picnic that a cadre of Philly tech orgs are putting together June 29 at the Navy Yard.

TechGirlz, Spark and iPraxis will be splitting up the proceeds from the summertime bash, which Ben Franklin Technology Partners spokesman Jason Bannon has promised will feature cornhole boards.

Along with Ben Franklin, PACT, Safeguard Scientifics, University City Science Center, Life Sciences PA, Philly Startup Leaders, Philly New Tech Meetup have banded together to host the fundraising event. Also sponsoring: financial services company Janney Montgomery Scott and PR firm Broadpath.

Here’s the quick primer on what each nonprofit does:

• Spark, a national nonprofit with a Philly program, connects 7th-, 8th- and 9th-grade students with mentors and provides them with skill-building resources.
• TechGirlz promotes a love of technology among middle-school girls with free, open source workshops. The nonprofit hit some impressive numbers last year and is pushing to hit the landmark of 10,000 girlz enrolled.
• iPraxis, focusing on middle-schoolers from underserved communities in Philadelphia, brings together STEM experts and students to explore how STEM is fundamental to everyday living.

How did these three orgs make the cut? Per Safeguard spokesman Anthony Stipa, the purpose “can be summed up in Bob Moul’s [Philly.com op-ed] lede. These organizations represent the future of our industry,” Stipa said.