Autodesk Launches Technology Impact Software Donation Program for Nonprofit Organizations

NEW YORK CITY (CGI ANNUAL MEETING) - During the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting this week, Autodesk will launch its Technology Impact program, providing software donations to select nonprofits that are directly employing design to create a better world. The company has committed to donate $7.5 million in software in the first year of the program's operation.

The Technology Impact program will ensure that nonprofits have access to the best design software needed to accomplish their important work, said John Cary, executive director of the Autodesk Foundation. Our goal is to equip at least 500 nonprofit organizations with our software in the first year of operation. The work by these organizations represents the full spectrum of design with social impact-some are building hospitals, housing, and schools around the world, while others are producing low-cost, life-saving healthcare devices.

Autodesk has long worked to share its software with entities imagining, designing, and creating a better world-ranging from nonprofits and schools to thousands of clean tech companies around the world. Through this new program, Autodesk will offer qualifying nonprofits two licenses of its professional design software suites: Autodesk Product Design Suite Premium, Autodesk Building Design Suite Premium, Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite Premium, and Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite Ultimate. Nonprofits can apply online at www.autodesk.com/technologyimpact

Boston-headquartered MASS Design Group, best known for its award-winning Butaro Hospital in rural Rwanda, is one of the first beneficiaries of the design tools available through the program. Alan Ricks, co-founder and chief operating officer of the organization explains, With access to advanced 3D design tools from Autodesk, we've been able to communicate with local builders and craftspeople, as well as community members, about the building process and our designs. It helps ensure that a structure is of the place' where it is built. We dont think any place is resource-poor, we just have to uncover the resources that can create the most positive impact.

About Autodesk

Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone-from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists-uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.

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