The AVIXA Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 grant recipients for the Brad Sousa Impact Fund. Honoured at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando, Florida, the recipients are Rosie Riveters, Tech25, and WorkSource Montgomery (WSM).

Named to honour the legacy of the late Brad Sousa, chief technology officer at Forté, this fund offers financial support for changemaker organisations utilising AV technology and digital transformation in communities around the world.

Selected from a diverse group of submissions, the three grantees are creating meaningful impact and promoting fundamental change through digital transformation. The nonprofit Rosie Riveters fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills for young women through hands-on STEM learning in communities around the United States. The organisation will use its grant to scale the reach of its STEM kits into even more communities, driving further awareness of AV careers.

“We are excited about Rosie Riveters’ program success using music to discover careers in pro AV,” AVIXA chief global officer and Foundation executive director Sarah Joyce says.

Tech25 is a nonprofit organisation founded to address the growing demand for skilled AV broadcast and event technicians. In only a few years, they have demonstrated an incredible program completion rate with 30 alumni placed in full-time industry roles.

“Tech25 transforms lives and creates career pathways for those who have historically been unaware of our dynamic industry,” Sarah adds.

Tech25’s grant will support them in their efforts to offer youth and adults technical skills, certification preparation and the hands-on experience needed to secure living-wage careers in AV.

Grant recipient WorkSource Montgomery (WSM), whose goal is to ensure all residents in its region have access to career pathways leading to equitable and sustainable economic mobility, with a specific focus on high-demand fields like AV and IT.

With this grant, WSM intends to launch a dedicated AV and technology-focused Launch Your Future Employment (LYFE) cohort for young adult career exploration, hands-on work experience and pathways to internships and full-time employment.

“WSM is a cornerstone in workforce development, and we are proud to offer a grant in Brad’s honour to help them build more direct talent pipelines into our industry,” Sarah explains.

The Brad Sousa Impact 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.

The AVIXA Foundation is fundraising for the next round of grants and welcomes corporate and individual donations to help amplify its impact for next year and years to come. Learn more and donate at avixa.org/impact.

For ongoing conversations and news about the pro AV industry, visit AVIXA Xchange, a unique community for the AV industry that connects thought leaders, industry-leading solution providers and innovative manufacturers with AV solution seekers.