The Brad Sousa Impact Fund offers financial grants to people, programs, and partner organizations around the world utilizing audiovisual technology to positively transform communities and create change.
The Fund honors the profound legacy of the late Brad Sousa, Chief Technology Officer of AVI Systems and member of the AVIXA Board of Directors. Brad lived a life loving not just with words or speech, but with actions and in truth. He was known to say, “Influence is the counterfeit of impact.” Brad was committed to making a difference in all his pursuits, whether personal or professional.
With this lesson in mind, the Fund supports the AVIXA Foundation’s global mission through impact investing and partnerships, with a key focus on developing audiovisual and digital transformation professionals and their understanding of each other's overlapping needs. Through digital transformation, organizations and communities embed technologies across society to drive impact and fundamental change.
What We Fund – Our Three Pillars of Impact
- People – in pursuit of educational and vocational outcomes
- Programs – with social consciousness and purpose, impacting society/community/culture
- Partnerships – that amplify missions of associations, community and nonprofit organizations.
Our Giving Process
- The Foundation screens for impact a gift might have on creating synergies between the worlds of audiovisual technology and digital transformation.
- The Foundation prioritizes grants in the form of program support, scholarship, and innovation where appropriate.
- Applicants meeting our Eligibility Requirements pass to a formal investment approval process and receive funding
- Ongoing review of the Fund’s impact with recipients continues annually.
We Do Not Fund
- Multi-year grants
- Individuals (stipends, personal scholarships, personal assistance)
- Loans of money for any purpose
- Technology for individual users
- Projects or events already completed
- Endowment campaigns
- Capital campaigns or building funds
- Organizations that discriminate by race, color, creed, gender identity, religion, veteran status or national origin, age and disability
- Political campaigns or causes, nor legislation
- Organizations engaged exclusively in political activities or lobbying
- Activities that affect 501(c)(3) status of the AVIXA Foundation in any way.
Amplify Our Impact
Applications are open until May 5!
APPLY
Help us amplify how technology and digital transformation create positive change in the world.
DONATE
Give By Check:
Donations via USA-based check, made payable to “AVIXA Foundation” with a note indicating the Brad Sousa Impact Fund.
Mail to:
11242 Waples Mill Road, Suite 200,
Fairfax, VA 22030.
Donations via ACH or Wire:
Please email AVIXA at accounting@avixa.org for payment instructions.
Proposals should include the following criteria:
- Demonstrates innovation and creativity in leveraging audiovisual technology and digital transformation.
- Supports the development of audiovisual and digital transformation professionals and their understanding of each other’s overlapping needs.
- Improves public education through scholarship and other support for individuals interested in the audiovisual (AV) provision
- Improves digital literacy and job skills, enhancing employability of new generation AV professionals
- Promotes discoverability of AV and digital transformation careers through hands-on experiences, apprenticeships, and on-the-job practicum to reduce current and future skills gaps
- Aligns with values and mission of the AVIXA Foundation, promoting opportunities and inclusion in the audiovisual and digital transformation sectors.
- Shows potential for scalability and replicability to extend impact beyond initial implementation.
- Provides measurable outcomes and clear indicators of success, including metrics for assessing impact on communities, individuals, or organizations.
- Demonstrates sound financial management and responsible stewardship of resources to maximize long-term effectiveness.
- Must provide financial statements for the current and if applicable, the prior year. Additional business or financial information may be requested or deemed necessary by the Foundation.
- Agree to periodic reporting on the use of grant funds.
- Complies with all legal and regulatory requirements, including those related to data privacy, intellectual property, and nonprofit governance.
- Preference will be given to organizations that demonstrate collaboration with other community organizations or stakeholders.
About the AVIXA Foundation
The AVIXA Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization operated for the public good on behalf of AVIXA™. With the help of AVIXA members and the entire audiovisual industry, the Foundation maintains a rigorous agenda of charitable functions and programs. More information is available at avixa.org/foundation.
