Benetech

Mission

Benetech is a Silicon Valley nonprofit that develops technology projects addressing major social problems in areas such as disability, human rights, literacy and education. Our predecessor nonprofit, Arkenstone, was founded in 1989 to provide reading tools for people with disabilities. It helped 35,000 visually impaired people in 60 countries to live and work independently before the sale of its business operations to a for-profit company in 2000, which led to the launch of Benetech.

Programs

Benetech's other major project is The Martus Human Rights Bulletin System, an open source technology tool designed to assist human rights groups in collecting, safeguarding and disseminating information about human rights abuses. It is also working to launch the Landmine Detector Project to adapt new detection technologies for humanitarian purposes and ALL-Link, an online literacy instructional service for beginning adolescent and adult readers with developmental disabilities.

Funded Projects on GlobalGiving

Accessible Books for Students with Disabilities

Accessible Books for Students with Disabilities

Personnel Overview

James R. Fruchterman - President and CEO
A technology entrepreneur, Fruchterman has been a rocket scientist, founded two of the foremost optical character recognition companies, and developed a successful line of reading machines. He founded Benetech, to use the power of technology to serve humanity. Fruchterman was named as an Outstanding Social Entrepreneur 2003 by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.

Alison Lingane - Senior Product Manager
Lingane holds an MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC-Berkeley and has extensive experience in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. She is responsible for the development, marketing and operations of Bookshare.org, creating what will eventually become one of the world's largest collections of digital books increasing access to literacy for people with visual and learning disabilities.

Dave Offen - Director of Engineering
Offen has an MS in Computer Science from Stanford University and is a leader in software design and accessibility technology. He was the lead developer for important adaptive technology products for people with visual and learning disabilities and is currently the lead engineer on all Benetech projects.

Personnel Statistics

James R. Fruchterman,
President & CEO
Founded in 1989
Employees: 13
Volunteers: 300