ABOUT THE FUND

The IT Fund for Kids ‘Putting IT Back’ campaign is a national fundraising initiative for companies within the IT&T
industry to support programs which improve the quality of life for seriously ill and autistic children.
Each year, Australia’s leading IT&T companies unite in aid of raising funds for Starlight Children’s Foundation
Australia and Giant Steps. In 2008 The IT Funds for Kids goal is to generate over $700,000 and to do this we need
your help.
You can participate in the IT Fund for Kids campaign through; joining our Know IT All Fundraising Challenge and
attending our Know IT All Dinner Challenge.
This year, join your industry peers and showcase your organisations community focus, forging relationships with
IT&T business leaders and above all making a meaningful difference to the lives of seriously ill and autistic children.
For more information about the opportunities available for your organisation and staff to get involved click
here.

The IT Fund for Kids campaign is a national fundraising initiative for companies within the IT&T industry to support programs which improve the
quality of life for seriously ill and autistic children.
Every year, over 600,000 children are admitted to hospital, with an increasing number of children spending extended periods recuperating in the
home following hospital treatment. Many of these children suffer from isolation and boredom, needing distraction and connection to other
children, their families and the world.
The IT Fund for Kids recognises the importance technology plays in fulfilling the needs of many of these children. The two beneficiaries
exclusively supported by the IT Fund, and who are committed to restoring the quality of life for these children are the Starlight Children’s
Foundation http://www.starlight.org.au and Giant Steps School (NSW based) http://www.giantsteps.net.au

Where Does It Go?

In 2008, the IT Fund for Kids will be funding programs enabling seriously ill and autistic children to connect with their world. All funds raised
through the IT Fund for Kids campaign supports programs aimed at improving the lives of Australia’s seriously ill and autistic children through
technology, enabling them to remain connected with their world and have fun.
The IT Fund for Kids will distribute all funds raised as below:
Funds raised in NSW - Two-thirds distributed to Starlight Children's Foundation; One-third Giant Steps
Fund raised outside of NSW - 100% distributed to Starlight Children's Foundation
These programs, driven by the beneficiaries Starlight Children's Foundation and Giant Steps include:
Starlight's Livewire
Starlight Children’s Foundation aims to brighten the lives of all seriously ill and hospitalised children. Currently Starlight only reaches 1 in 3 of
these children and recognises that technology will play an integral part in fulfilling this vision. To achieve this Starlight has developed an online
community called “Livewire”.
Livewire is a secure private online community that offers a wide array of interactive activities focused on communication, distraction,
information, self-expression and social support. Livewire enables many more seriously ill and hospitalised children to remain connected with
their family, friends and school life from hospital or home. Starlight’s aim is for every young person living with illness to have access to Livewire,
to help address common feelings of isolation and fear.
To find out more about Livewire click here .
Giant Steps Interact Program
Giant Steps is an educational and therapeutic centre for children with autism. Implementation of their ‘Interact Program’ recognises the
important role technology provides autistic children, providing them with the opportunity to learn and develop skills and abilities required to live
in today’s society.
The IT Fund for Kids has supported more than 200 children with autism through the Giant Steps School. All funds raised by the IT Fund for Kids
for Giant Steps, have supported various programs including Playsteps, Kids Helping Kids and a number of outreach programs that Giant Steps
therapists take part in.
The Interact Program will make a significant difference to the life of a child by providing them the opportunity to interact with technology to
learn and develop skills and abilities required to live in today’s society. Research has shown that computer-based learning for autistic children
nurtures an ideal environment for promoting communication and sociability – allowing autistic children to ‘connect’ with the world.
To find out more about Giant Steps and their programs click here .
Find out about past IT Fund For Kids campaigns Find out about IT Fund For Kids Ambassadors

Past Campaigns

Established since 2000, The IT Fund For Kids has relied on the funding of supporting companies. These businesses contribute through
fundraising, donating, attending out Know IT All Dinners and donating goods and services. In 2007 due to the support and commitment
of these organisations, the IT Fund For Kids Campaign raised over $500,000 nationally. This enabled the beneficiaries; The Starlight
Children’s Foundation Australia and Giant Steps, to commit much needed funds to brightening the lives of seriously ill and autistic
children through innovation and technology.
This financial support has enabled Starlight to develop a secure online community called “Livewire” which provides positive distraction
and enables many more seriously ill and hospitalised children to remain connected with their family, friends and school life from hospital
or home. Currently, over 200,000 Australian children are connected to “Livewire” and a successful 2008 IT Fund For Kids Campaign will
ensure this program can continue and grow, thus ensuring every young person living with illness has access to Livewire.
In 2007 the following companies participated in the Know IT All Dinners and the winners of each state challenge included:
NSW Know IT All Challenge Winner: Ericsson
VIC Know IT All Challenge Winner: Dimension Data
WA Know IT All Challenge Winner: Scitech
Acer Computer Australia DELL Macquarie Bank
ACS Dimension Data McAfee
Acumentum eBay MediaConnect Australia
AIIA E-CI Microsoft Australia
APC EMC Mincom
ATC
Ericsson
Multimedia Victoria
Avanade Australia Express Data n2n
Blackie McDonald PR Firewall Systems NICTA
Bluecoat Gartner NineMSN
Brown Wright Stein Google Optus
Bullseye Grays Online
Oracle Corporation Australia
Limited
CA (Pacific) Pty Ltd Harvey Norman Paypal Australia Pty Ltd
Calastica Health & Wellbeing
Pty Howorth Communications
PCA NU Systems
Channel Advisors HP Raytheon Australia
Cisco Systems
IAG (Insurance Australia
Group)
RSA
Citrix Systems Insight (Software Spectrum) Sagem Australia
CNET Networks Integrated Research Shopping.com Australia Pty Ltd
CSC Intel Australia Pty Ltd Tectura Australia Pty Ltd
Dandalo Partners KPMG Telstra
Lan Systems Unwired Australia
Lenovo Australia & NZ Pty Ltd Verizon Business
Yahoo!7

IT Fund For Kids Ambassadors

The IT Fund for Kids is privileged to have the support of ten high-profile IT&T Ambassadors across NSW and VIC who will be assisting
in raising the awareness and presence of the campaign. To find out more click here.