Charitable Impact’s TechPong sets sponsorship record

TechPong — Vancouver’s iconic ping pong tournament with a charitable mission — broke new sponsorship records in its boisterous return.

After a three-year hiatus, the party and table tennis mashup hosted more than a thousand people at the Alice in Wonderland-themed bash, held at Science World. Supported with 30 event sponsors, the fundraising tournament celebrated its largest number of companies pledging to donate money to charities of their choice. Plus, in a tournament first, three companies — Microsoft, Transoft, and Black & White Zebra — all registered multiple teams, with each raising more than the $2,000 minimum required to enter.

“It was great to see the Vancouver tech community join together for the return of TechPong, and support so many amazing causes,” said Pamela Saunders, director of communications at Microsoft Vancouver. “On behalf of our teams and the Microsofties who came out to cheer them on, congratulations to everyone who picked up a paddle, made a donation or put in tremendous effort to make it all happen – we’ll see you again next year!”

Also in attendance this year were special guests Brenda Bailey, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation; Vancouver Canucks legends Stan Smyl and Darcy Rota, who attended on behalf of former teammate and friend Mark Kirton who is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, aka Lou Gherig’s disease); and musical guest Robb Nash of The Robb Nash Project, who gave away one of his guitars as a raffle prize.

TechPong’s eight installments have now raised a grand total of more than $427,000. Minister Bailey called that achievement “an inspiring example of the B.C. tech sector’s tireless commitment to supporting the community, passion for making the world a better place, and enthusiasm for building productive business relationships.”

The tournament was run by Charitable Impact, whose product helps facilitate donations by working like a bank account for charitable giving, enabling anyone to make donations, receive immediate tax receipts, and allocate funds to the charities of their choice whenever they are ready. To qualify for the TechPong tournament, teams used their Impact Accounts to raise funds for a wide range of charities including the Coast Mental Health Foundation, Take A Hike Youth Mental Health Foundation, the Learning Disabilities Society Of Greater Vancouver, and Red Cross efforts in the Middle East.

“TechPong, a Vancouver tradition, mirrors the vibrant evolution and pioneering energy of B.C.’s tech scene," said Dan Brodie, chief operating officer at Charitable Impact. "In the face of the challenges from the past three years, when companies embraced remote work, TechPong has become even more of a catalyst for fostering and redeveloping connections while nurturing a strong sense of community and giving back within the business sector.”