named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
After School Coding Program
Youth-focused initiative where Uncommon Bootcamp students teach coding to school-aged children in their communities.
Innovation Hub
Off-grid learning centers built from shipping containers and powered by solar energy, providing access to technology education in underserved communities.
Internship Program
Partnership with global employers to provide practical, hands-on work experience to students in remote or in-person settings.
Mentorship Program
One-on-one virtual mentorship pairing students with industry professionals for at least one hour per month over six months, focusing on technical and career guidance.
Uncommon Bootcamp
12-month, full-time, free technology bootcamp for unemployed young adults, offering training in UI/UX design, product development, and digital marketing, including mentorship and career development.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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K–12 Computer Science & AI Education 2 activities
- After-school youth coding programRuns an after-school coding program in which Uncommon Bootcamp participants and graduates teach free computer coding classes to primary and secondary students at partner government schools in Zimbabwe, delivering 12 lessons per month per child.
- Teacher and school capacity building programProvides free training, curriculum, and ongoing virtual and in-person support to teachers and schools to expand coding education; trained 338 teachers through this program in 2025.
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Tech Skills Training for Underserved Groups 2 activities
- Free coding education programs in ZimbabweProvides free in-person and virtual coding education to youth and unemployed young adults across Zimbabwe, reaching over 22,000 participants in 2025 alone, using second-hand laptops to reduce waste and operating programs in locations such as Bulawayo with sponsorship support.
- Free technology bootcamps for unemployed young adultsOperates free, full-time 12-month technology bootcamps in low-income communities in Zimbabwe for unemployed young adults, providing training in design, software development, digital marketing, and entrepreneurial skills. The program includes a specialization phase where students build real projects, receive mentorship, and prepare for employment with support in professional communication and job readiness.
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Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Capacity building grants receivedReceives targeted capacity-building grants, including a two-year grant from the Judith Neilson Foundation, to strengthen organizational capabilities.
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Mentorship and Professional Development Programs 1 activity
- Career development and mentorship during bootcampProvides one-on-one virtual mentorship, soft skills training, professional development, and career preparation—including grooming, communication, interview coaching, and professional etiquette—to all bootcamp participants throughout the program.
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General Operating Support Grants 1 activity
- Funding received from grantmaking organizationsFunds its operations through grants from foundations and embassies, including core support from the Oak Foundation (2022–2027), a $50,000 grant from The Upwork Foundation, a three-year grant from The Ella Fund, and funding from the Australian Embassy in Zimbabwe for Innovation Hub development.
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Solar Energy Access in Underserved Communities 1 activity
- Innovation Hubs with public accessOperates Innovation Hubs built from shipping containers and powered by solar energy, starting with the first hub launched in 2019. These hubs provide regular public access hours and are supported by reliable internet and electricity, including infrastructure funded by partners.
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Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
- Post-graduation employment supportOffers post-graduation support to help bootcamp graduates secure internships and full-time employment in the technology industry.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$709K
Contributions & grants$682K96%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$27K
expenses
Total expenses$673K
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$55K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$458K
Cash$302K
Investments$0
Liabilities$854
Net assets$457K
Liquid reserves5.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +24.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PETER KAZICKAS | CEO | 20 | $51K |
board members · 7
- ANTHONY JACKSON — PRESIDENT
- CYRUS BOGA — TREASURER
- EMMA JARVIS — SECRETARY
- ERIC MUSONZA — DIRECTOR
- HYDE PATTERSON — DIRECTOR
- LIONEL MARUMAHOKO — DIRECTOR
- THOMAS ABRAHAM — DIRECTOR
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- Adrienne Ruger Conzelman Partner — Hosted the Uncommon summer cocktail party supporting the organization's growth.
- Australian Embassy Government — Provided grant funding supporting the establishment of multiple Innovation Hubs in Zimbabwe.
- Double the Donation Partner — Partnership to facilitate corporate matching of donations through an online tool
- Dulux Partner — Supported the improvement of physical spaces for Innovation Hubs through painting and renovation.
- Government of Zimbabwe Government — In discussions to pilot an official teacher training program to equip 100 teachers with coding skills and resources.
- Judith Neilson Foundation Funder — Provides a two-year capacity building grant to UNCOMMONORG INC.
- Kazickas Family Partner — Hosted the Uncommon summer cocktail party supporting the organization's growth.
- Liquid Intelligent Technologies Partner — Provides free and discounted internet connectivity across Uncommon Innovation Hubs.
- Nedbank Zimbabwe Partner — Sponsored an Uncommon Innovation Hub, enabling free coding education for thousands in Bulawayo.
- Oak Foundation Funder — Provides financial support to Uncommon since 2021 for its coding education programs in Zimbabwe.
- Oak Foundation Funder — Provides multiple core support grants to UNCOMMONORG INC from 2022 to 2027.
- ROI Training Partner — Provides free training support from expert educators and funded the organization’s office in Zimbabwe for two years.
- Sissi Bohlen Partner — Hosted the Uncommon summer cocktail party supporting the organization's growth.
- The Ella Fund Funder — Provides a three-year grant to support UNCOMMONORG INC's programs.
- Uncommon.org Trust Network — Local implementing partner in Zimbabwe through which Uncommon.org operates its programs.
- Upwork Foundation Funder — Provided a $50,000 grant to support UNCOMMONORG INC's mission in Zimbabwe.
- Zimbabwe Partner — Location of the initial pilot program for a free computer coding program.
- school campuses in Zimbabwe Partner — Hosts Innovation Hubs on school campuses to integrate with local educational infrastructure.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- AI-Augmented Workforce Preparationmethodology: ai-augmentationBy integrating AI literacy and development into technology education, the organization ensures graduates remain relevant in a rapidly evolving economy, because proficiency in emerging technologies like AI and satellite internet enables leadership in digital transformation and future job markets.
- Holistic Virtual Mentorship Modelmethodology: holistic_mentorshipBy combining technical instruction with one-on-one virtual mentorship that includes language practice, career navigation, and emotional support, the organization increases student success, because comprehensive personal support addresses non-academic barriers to learning and workforce integration.
- Peer Teaching and Pay-It-Forward Multiplier Modelmethodology: peer-teaching-multiplier-modelBy training program participants to teach coding to younger students, the organization expands educational reach while reinforcing learners' own skills and creating employment pathways, because teaching others deepens mastery and community contribution sustains program scalability.
- Project-Based Learning with Industry Alignmentmethodology: project-based_learning_with_mentorshipBy using mentor-supported, project-based learning and partnering with technology organizations, the organization builds students’ professional portfolios and workforce readiness, because real-world projects and industry expertise produce job-ready graduates.
- Technology Education as Pathway to Career Entrymethodology: career-training-through-free-educationBy providing free, full-time technology bootcamps with no prerequisites and holistic support, the organization enables unemployed young adults from low-income communities to launch careers in tech, because removing structural and financial barriers increases access and success for marginalized youth.