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SPEC

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Sustainable Progress and Equality Collective

SPEC is a community-driven organization dedicated to meeting people where they are and empowering them to learn skills, build careers, and become leaders of sustainable social impact.

OUR MISSION

We are on a mission to provide diverse peoples the resources and opportunities essential to learn skills, build careers, and become leaders of sustainable social impact.

We understand that for many people from underserved communities, they can't give back or help others until they can access essential goods and services, learn professional skills, and achieve physical and financial security.

two people talking
people talking

BACKGROUND

SPEC was born out of research from The Buffalo Project, a 10-year participatory research project that investigated using cultural data in the development of learning programs.

This research illustrated that students were not being adequately taught the importance of intercultural competencies. It also demonstrated the efficacy of engaging communities to improve learning program design and delivery.

SPEC was founded to expand on this research and provide a platform for students to learn these skills and apply them to real-world projects.

HOW WE WORK

SPEC is organized as an open collective, which raises and spends funds transparently to achieve its goals.

We operate as a fully distributed Collective, with members located across the United States. Donations to SPEC directly contribute to supporting career development and learning opportunities for our members.

SPEC is fiscally sponsored by the Hack Club Bank 501(c)(3), which enables SPEC to receive tax-deductible donations in full transparency.

people talking
people talking

WHAT WE DO

We are a radically transparent and inclusive community.

At SPEC, we are dedicated to fostering social impact and driving positive change through our diverse range of programs and services. Our approach centers around engaged research, collaborative mentorship, applied learning, capacity building, and pathways to sustainable careers.

Through these initiatives, we empower individuals and organizations to make a meaningful difference in their communities and beyond.

OUR SERVICES


Engaged Research

Prioritizing community participation in research.


Collaborative Mentorship

Mentoring that fosters diverse and equitable learning environments.


Applied Learning

Individuals actively apply skills, theories, and models in practical situations.


Capacity Building

Helping organizations unleash their full potential.


Career Development

Connecting organizations with exceptional talent.


$290k

Funds raised and distributed to our community

BY THE NUMBERS

We are striving to create sustainable careers for our contributors.

SPEC was established based on the core values of sustainability, progress, and equality, and we believe these combined values are the recipe for building radically sustainable, equitable, and transparent organizations.

28

Successful career placements

15

Projects developed and completed

7

Partnerships and collaborations

VICTORIA LO

VICTORIA LO

Quotation Mark

During my time at SPEC, I learned so much about the foundations of software engineering, agile, and open source development. I joined SPEC for its mission to empower individuals to learn as you go and contribute to world-changing initiatives through the open sharing economy. With a small but mighty team, the genuine care that everyone has to do good by people is what keeps me motivated to continue contributing, growing, and learning

Quotation Mark
ILIA DE LEON

ILIA DE LEON

Quotation Mark

SPEC has been a perfect next step in my UX design journey. It’s such a great space for me to explore the different areas within UX design, to figure out where I excel. On top of discovery within this new field for me, being 100% supported and encouraged to continue learning has been amazing. SPEC is going to change the world, and I am happy to contribute my small piece!

Quotation Mark
YOLINE BANERJEE

YOLINE BANERJEE

Quotation Mark

As an RA for SPEC, I had the opportunity to dive deep into the world of coding and gain valuable skills that have had a lasting impact on my personal and professional growth. But beyond just the technical knowledge, what truly stood out to me was the incredibly supportive and kind community of people at SPEC. I felt welcomed from day one and was always encouraged to ask questions, seek guidance, and push myself to learn more. The experience of working with such a talented and supportive group of individuals has had a profound impact on me, and I'm grateful for the time I spent at SPEC.

Quotation Mark
ALICIA BONG

ALICIA BONG

Quotation Mark

I joined SPEC during a transitionary period of my life. Being able to work on multiple projects and in various roles all while being mentored helped me identify what my next career choice should be. Now that I have found gainful employment outside of SPEC I am happy to still feel included and connected to the team.

Quotation Mark
VICTORIA LO

VICTORIA LO

Quotation Mark

During my time at SPEC, I learned so much about the foundations of software engineering, agile, and open source development. I joined SPEC for its mission to empower individuals to learn as you go and contribute to world-changing initiatives through the open sharing economy. With a small but mighty team, the genuine care that everyone has to do good by people is what keeps me motivated to continue contributing, growing, and learning

Quotation Mark

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