Brian James Kirk, Technical.ly co-founder, introduces the Commit Pledge of Service at the launch event held at Temple University. 

Technical.ly launched a new year-long volunteer drive, the Commit Pledge for Service, during an event held on Thursday hosted by Temple University’s Urban Apps & Maps program. The app aims to connect the local innovation and technology community to nonprofits who need their expertise.

How does it work?
“It’s really simple. Just pledge the time and on June 1st we will make the connections based on the skill sets that you have and the skill sets that the nonprofits need,” said Brian James Kirk, co-founder of Technical.ly, at the launch event. “We already have some great organizations who have applied.”

What skills can you volunteer?
Basic computer skills, coding skills, social media, as well as basic word processing and resume-building skills are just some of the skills that innovators and technologists can volunteer.

“Basically anything from word processing, very basic computer skills, to resume building: getting folks who don’t necessarily have computer access to help them create a LinkedIn profile, since at this point it’s what you need to get a job,” said Corinne Warnshuis, event coordinator for Technical.ly.

The simple and easy to use sign-up form allows you to sign up in a few minutes.

Who’s involved?
Partners of the Commit Pledge include Tech Impact, the aforementioned Urban Apps & Maps program, and the KEYSPOT program. The website was built by Jarv.us (who also built the Philly Tech Week site) and was funded in part by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

“A lot of the work we’ve done around civic engagement here in Philadelphia and across the country has really been testing and helping to create and start civic tools and civic tech tools,” said Donna Frisby-Greenwood, program director in Philadelphia for the Knight Foundation.

“And so this was a natural progression for us as someone who funds start-ups, particularly around the civic and tech area, to now get technologists to commit their time to other organizations and other people.”

See who has joined so far, learn more, and sign up yourself at commitpledge.com.