Raspberry Pi Foundation

Raspberry Pi Foundation
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Name	Raspberry Pi Foundation
Founded	May 2009
Founders	Eben Upton, Rob Mullins, Jack Lang, Alan Mycroft, Pete Lomas, David Braben
Location	Cambridge, United Kingdom
Key people	Philip Colligan (CEO)
Focus	Computer science education, Digital literacy, Hardware
Website	https://www.raspberrypi.org

Raspberry Pi Foundation. The Raspberry Pi Foundation is a UK-based charity founded in 2009 with the mission of putting the power of computing and digital making into the hands of people worldwide. It is best known for creating the Raspberry Pi, a series of highly affordable, single-board computers that have revolutionized access to technology and programming education. The foundation operates globally, developing educational resources, running outreach programs, and conducting research to advance computer science learning for all ages.

History

The concept for the foundation emerged from concerns among its founders, including Eben Upton, Rob Mullins, and David Braben, about a decline in the number and skill level of applicants to Cambridge University's Computer Laboratory. Inspired by earlier microcomputers like the BBC Micro, they aimed to create an accessible, low-cost platform to inspire a new generation. Incorporated in May 2009, the foundation's first major product, the Raspberry Pi 1 Model B, was launched in February 2012 to unprecedented demand. This success, supported by partnerships with Premier Farnell and RS Components, established the organization as a major force in the global maker movement and edtech sector.

Mission and activities

The core mission is to enable young people to realize their full potential through the power of computing and digital technologies. Its activities are structured around three pillars: providing low-cost, high-performance hardware like the Raspberry Pi; creating free learning resources and projects through its online platform; and training educators via programs like Picademy. The foundation also advocates for improved computer science curricula in schools, supports a vast network of volunteer-led CoderDojos and Raspberry Jams, and conducts extensive research into effective teaching methods and learning outcomes.

Products and projects

Its flagship product line is the Raspberry Pi series of single-board computers, which has evolved through models like the Raspberry Pi 3, Raspberry Pi 4, and the compact Raspberry Pi Zero. Beyond hardware, the foundation develops critical software, including the Raspberry Pi OS (formerly Raspbian) and the Thonny IDE for beginners. Major educational projects include the free online learning platform, which offers structured pathways like the Introduction to Python course, and the global Astro Pi challenge, run in collaboration with the European Space Agency, which allows students to run their code on the International Space Station.

Educational impact

The foundation has significantly influenced computer science education worldwide, with millions of Raspberry Pi units used in classrooms, hackerspaces, and homes. Its resources are translated into over 30 languages, and initiatives like the National Centre for Computing Education in England, funded by the Department for Education, have trained thousands of teachers. Research publications and impact reports from the foundation inform policy and practice, demonstrating increased engagement and attainment in subjects like programming, physical computing, and AI literacy among diverse learner groups.

Governance and funding

The foundation is governed by a board of trustees, which includes its founders and experts from education and technology. Day-to-day operations are led by CEO Philip Colligan. As a registered charity in England and Wales, it reinvests all surplus from the sale of Raspberry Pi products, which are manufactured by the related commercial entity Raspberry Pi Ltd, into its charitable educational programs. Additional funding is secured through grants from major philanthropic organizations like the Google Charitable Foundation and partnerships with governmental bodies.

Partnerships and collaborations

Collaboration is central to its model, with key partners including the BBC for projects like the BBC micro:bit, Microsoft for integrating Visual Studio Code and Minecraft education tools, and ARM, whose processor architecture is used in all Raspberry Pi computers. The foundation also works closely with global nonprofits like the Code Club network and academic institutions such as the University of Cambridge and MIT Media Lab to develop content, conduct research, and expand its global reach into underserved communities.