Tinder Foundation becomes Good Things Foundation
The UK’s leading digital inclusion charity is set to change its name this week, swiping left on ‘Tinder Foundation’, to become Good Things Foundation.
The new name is set to take the organisation into its next phase, as it extends its work to focus not just on digital skills and inclusion, but more broadly on the impact technology can have on solving some of the most pressing social challenges facing the UK.
Good Things Foundation became a charity back in March, breaking all the rules by keeping its mutual status and governance. The new name reflects those mutual values, and the charitable goals that are central to the ethos of the Sheffield-based organisation.
Chief Executive Helen Milner said: “How to make good things happen with digital technology is a question that’s occupied us for the past decade and more. We’ve focussed on bringing digital skills to those who can most benefit from them - growing and nurturing the Online Centres Network, building the Learn My Way learning platform, and supporting over 2 million people to take their first steps with digital.
“Now it’s time to be clearer about who we are - and who we’re not. It’s been fun at times to break the ice with: “No, not that Tinder." But the confusion hasn't helped us connect with everyone in the right way! Partnerships are key to what we do, and how we can do more of it, so we needed a name that spoke more clearly about our role and vision.
“We’re focused on improving lives through digital. So now we’re putting that at the very core of how we connect with the world. Our new name reflects our strategy, and our ambition to change the lives of millions more people by seeking out the hardest to reach and leveraging digital tools to make good things happen for them.”
With its focus on the future, the charity will also be rebadging and repositioning the 5,000 community-based UK online centres as the Online Centres Network, focusing on the huge impact these grassroots organisations can have working together with each other, and with the communities that support them.
Good Things Foundation will continue to provide the network with the same support as ever, including accurate data and management information, high-quality training and resources, and the chance to take part in national programmes, campaigns and initiatives - like national Get Online Week which took place at the end of October.
Helen Milner added: “From talking to members of the network, and other partners who value them so highly, it’s become clear that being part of a ‘network’ is the key element in what makes the Online Centres Network so successful - sharing ambitions and challenges, and working together to achieve a common aim.
“It’s the good things we can achieve together that matter and as Good Things Foundation, working together will be key to what we can achieve.”
