AVIXA Foundation Announces 2025 Brad Sousa Impact Fund Grant Recipients Pioneering Change in AV and Digital Transformation
FAIRFAX, Va., July 2, 2025 – The AVIXA Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 grant recipients for the Brad Sousa Impact Fund. Honored at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando, Florida, the recipients are Rosie Riveters, Tech25, and WorkSource Montgomery (WSM). Named to honor the legacy of the late Brad Sousa, CTO at Forté, this fund offers financial support for changemaker organizations utilizing audiovisual 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 organization 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,” said Sarah Joyce, AVIXA Chief Global Officer and Foundation Executive Director.
Tech25 is a nonprofit organization 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,” shared Joyce.
Tech25’s grant will support them in their efforts to offer youth and adults technical skills, certifications preparation, and the hands-on experience needed to secure living-wage careers in AV.
Grant recipient WorkSource Montgomery (WSM) is working 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 LYFE (Launch Your Future Employment) 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 honor to help them build more direct talent pipelines into our industry”, said Joyce.
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.
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About the AVIXA Foundation
The AVIXA Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization focused on cultivating a growing workforce on behalf of the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA). The Foundation does so by creating awareness of careers in the global AV industry; enabling potential and emerging professionals through skills training, scholarships, and scholastic support; and developing a bridge between the industry and those who want to become AV professionals. With the help of AVIXA members and the entire industry, the Foundation helps build a future with a diverse, skilled workforce eager to take on the challenge of creating integrated AV experiences around the world. More information is available at avixa.org/foundation.
AVIXA is the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, producer of InfoComm trade shows around the world, co-owner of Integrated Systems Europe, and the international trade association representing the audiovisual industry. Established in 1939, AVIXA has more than 3,000 enterprise members representing over 20,000 AV professionals, including manufacturers, systems integrators, dealers and distributors, consultants, programmers, live events companies, technology managers, content producers, and multimedia professionals from more than 80 countries. AVIXA members create integrated AV experiences that deliver outcomes for end users. AVIXA is a hub for professional collaboration, information, and community, and is the leading resource for AV standards, certification, training, market intelligence, and thought leadership. Visit www.avixa.org.