Grants from The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) and The Rota Foundation give GHI a strong financial footing heading into 2027
Phoenix, Arizona — Sept. 16, 2026
The Ginger Hacker Initiative (GHI) recently received its first grant awards totaling $55,000 from Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) and The Rota Foundation to support our mission of empowering people to pursue careers in cybersecurity by providing accessible cybersecurity educational resources. The announcement marks the largest round of fundraising for the organization since its founding in November 2025.
“I am thrilled and so excited to get to use these funds to further our amazing mission to help folks break into cyber and help cut the cost of training,” says Andrew Crotty, Founder and President of The Ginger Hacker Initiative. “This is all possible by our amazing community who always support and help us grow, thank you!”
The funds directly support existing programs GHI operates, including training and certification opportunities, scholarships, certification vouchers, community-building and professional networking events, and hands-on learning opportunities.
GTIA donated $50,000 as part of their latest round of grantmaking. The latest round of grants support organizations like GHI using technology to expand opportunity, strengthen communities and address systemic barriers through initiatives focused on digital inclusion, workforce development, STEM education, cybersecurity, accessibility, AI-powered learning and economic mobility.
The Rota Foundation donated $5,000 to GHI, supporting their mission of assisting those who are seeking a progressive path to change the current conditions or circumstances of the underserved through education, opportunity, and exposure.
“None of this happens without the people who built GHI before any grant money existed,” says Josh Mason, Vice President of GHI. “We’re thanking every volunteer, partner, sponsor, mentor, donor, and board member who has shown up over the past year, along with the wider community that kept showing up to meetups and events.”
What began as an idea to make cybersecurity education more accessible has grown into a nonprofit organization with a formal board, partner network, and institutional backing.
GHI has provided 40 cybersecurity certifications year-to-date, spanning Security+ to Certified Cloud Security Practitioner AWS (CCSP-AWS), helping students and beginners validate their technical skills in the field of cybersecurity.
Additionally, their online community on Discord has grown to over a thousand members globally, providing a safe, friendly space for students and members of the community.
To learn more about The Ginger Hacker Initiative, visit https://gingerhacker.org/.
About The Ginger Hacker Initiative
The Ginger Hacker Initiative (GHI) is a community-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to make cybersecurity education and career opportunities more accessible to beginners, students, veterans, and career changers. Its programs include training, mentorship, scholarships, and hands-on events aimed at people looking to break into the cybersecurity industry or grow their career.
The organization was founded in 2025 by Andrew Crotty, a full-time security analyst and Cyber Warrant Officer with the US Army, who started sharing his experience on ‘GingerHacker’ on YouTube. What began as a place to share his reviews on cybersecurity educational courses and breaking into the industry has evolved into a community and nonprofit organization.
About the Rota Foundation
The Rota Foundation is committed to assisting those who are seeking a progressive path to change the current conditions or circumstances of the underserved through education, opportunity, and exposure. Learn more at https://www.therotafoundation.org/.
About Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA)
The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) is the only vendor-neutral, 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership community connecting and representing the worldwide IT channel. We set our members up for success by providing benefits that include trusted resources and networking opportunities. In addition, the association sets industry standards that enable companies to build sustainable, secure, and profitable businesses in an ever-changing technology landscape. Internationally, GTIA represents hundreds of thousands of professionals from nearly 3,000 ITSPs, vendors, distributors and other companies serving the IT channel. For more information, visit https://www.gtia.org/.