I am developing an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) iOS app for non-verbal adults that uses LLM-generated phrases to speed up communication. My father had throat cancer and lost the ability to speak. He was prescribed a standard grid-based AAC app but couldn't build the motor-memory needed to navigate it quickly. (https://www.speak4me.ai/)
The Vermont Food Bank, an organization I support and know well, received $9 million.
“John Sayles, CEO of the Vermont Foodbank said he received an email on Dec. 3 from a philanthropic adviser who said their client was interested in making a donation. Shortly thereafter, Sayles learned who was making the donation and how much it was for.
“And then I just spent about a day in shock,” Sayles said.
The gift is “exponentially” bigger than any other the nonprofit has received, Sayles said. The amount is the equivalent of the organization’s annual operating budget.”