Main fundraiser photo

The Laurel Fund

Donation protected
The Laurel Fund is a scholarship, offered in partnership with Ada Developers Academy, that provides funds to cover the living expenses of two or more Ada students during the initial classroom instruction portion of the Ada program. After the initial 6-months instruction portion is complete, students participate in 5-month paid internships with Seattle-area software companies. But during the initial instruction phase, students are responsible for covering their own living expenses. The Laurel Fund is intended to support students who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford to participate in the program. 

Ada Developers Academy is a year-long intensive school in software development for women and gender diverse people with no previous professional experience in computer programming. The program is tuition-free; however, students are responsible for their living expenses during the 6-month classroom phase of the program. For more information about Ada, please visit www.adadevelopersacademy.org

Laurel Nicholes, who passed away from illness in December 2017, was a leader and innovator in the Seattle technology community, a passionate knowledge architect, and an influential content strategy architect. Laurel's life passion was mentoring talented people from underrepresented groups and helping them advance their careers in the technology industry. The Laurel Fund is an opportunity to honor her memory by continuing her legacy of supporting and promoting women and gender diverse people in the technology industry. 

There are dozens of people in the technology industry today who can say that their lives were deeply changed for the better because of Laurel, whether it was through mentorship, coaching, a job opportunity, a promotion, a career change, or just help making a fresh start in a new city. 

We miss you, Laurel. And we know you would be thrilled to know that this scholarship will help change the recipient's lives in the same way you helped change so many others. 



FUNDING GOALS

We estimate that a student will need $2,000 per month to cover the cost of living in Seattle (lodging, food, transportation). Our goal is to raise enough funds to cover one student from each of the two cohorts in 2019, or $24,000.

If we raise between $12,000 and $24,000, the Laurel Fund will support one student in 2019 and the balance will be donated directly to Ada.

If we raise less than $12,000, the Laurel Fund will purchase a laptops for as many students as possible, and any remaining balance will be donated directly to Ada. Purchasing a laptop can be a difficult financial burden on an Ada student, so this contingency plan ensures that the Laurel Fund is still able to support Ada students even if we don't raise enough for the scholarship. 


Thank you to everyone who donates to this cause. We are grateful for your support.

Organizer

Kams Thorum
Organizer
Seattle, WA

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.