Tech Citizenship

Bither

As a smaller software company, Atalasoft Inc. doesn’t have the large foundations or established policies that many of the larger tech firms in New England have. But the Easthampton-based company’s president and CEO, Bill Bither, said one policy it does try to adhere to is to ensure that the nonprofits it partners with have a personal connection to one of its employees.

“There are thousands of charities to choose from,” Bither said. “We generally choose a cause that has affected an employee or an employee’s family member in some way.”

That policy applies to Bither himself, whose father died from a brain tumor three years ago. Now, Atalasoft helps The Healing Exchange Brain Trust in Somerville. The company decided to donate 100 percent of the revenue from one of its software titles to T.H.E. Brain Trust. That charity also reflects one of the other principles behind Atalasoft’s giving strategy — doing the most good.

“Personally, I tend to gravitate toward charities that are small, where my donation can have a relatively large impact,” Bither said.

Particularly satisfying to Bither are those events that draw support from much of the company’s employees, he said.

“I think the most fun we have had at an event is a charitable hockey game to support Down Syndrome,” Bither said. “One of our employees actually played goalie with former Boston Bruins hockey players. Many employees attended this event and had a great time as well as supporting a great cause.”

Citizenship Facts

Atalasoft Inc.

Total cash contributions in New England in 2007: $13,498

Number of volunteer hours in New England in 2007: Not available

In-kind contributions of equipment and services in New England in 2007: None

Principal recipients of charitable activities in 2007: All of the proceeds from sales of Atalasoft’s EyeBatch product are donated to BrainTrust, in memory of the father of Atalasoft president and CEO Bill Bither. The company also donates to a scholarship fund at Western New England College; Safe Passage; and the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress

Interesting philanthropic activities: All of Atalasoft’s employees participate in charitable events on their own time, including Relay for Life, Komen Race for the Cure, the Buddy Walk, and many others. Last year one of our employees went to New Orleans to work with Habitat for Humanity.

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