Non-profit technology

Non-profit technology

Nonprofit technology comprises information and communication technologies that support the goals of nonprofit, nongovernmental, third sector, grassroots, and other mission-based organizations. This can be both technology that is specifically designed for nonprofits, and technology that is used in the work of nonprofits.

Contents

Nonprofit technology uses

Nonprofit organizations use computers, Internet and other networking technology for a number of tasks, including volunteer management and support, donor management, client tracking and support, project management, human resources (paid staff) management, financial accounting, program evaluation, research, marketing, activism and collaboration. Nonprofit organizations that engage in income-generation activities, such as ticket sales, may also use technology for these functions.

Some technology is created specifically for use by nonprofit organizations. For instance, there are more than 30 software packages designed for nonprofits to use to manage volunteers.[1] There is software designed to help in the management of animal shelters,[2] software to help nonprofit performing arts groups sell tickets and manage donors,[3] software to manage sports clubs,[4] and on and on.

Nonprofit organizations also use both proprietary and open-source software, as well as various online tools (the World Wide Web, email, online social networking,[5] wikis,volunteer web blogs[6] micro-blogging, etc.), that are also used by for-profit businesses. Nonprofit groups may leverage web-based services in their media outreach, using online newswires such as Nonprofit Newswire.com to disseminate their press releases.[7]

Because of their limited budgets, nonprofit organizations may not be able to upgrade their hardware or software, buy computers or Internet tools, or provide technology training for staff to the degree of for-profit businesses. This means that, often, nonprofit organizations can be on the wrong side of the digital divide.

The external links listed below provide details on both computer, Internet and networking technology that is specifically designed for nonprofits, and how technology is used in the work of nonprofits.

Practitioners / sources of training and support

Whereas a for-profit business may have the budget to hire a full-time staff member or part-time consultant to help with computer and Internet technology use, nonprofit organizations usually have fewer financial resources and, therefore, may not be able to hire a full-time staff person to manage and support technology use. While there are nonprofits that can afford to pay staff devoted to managing and supporting the nonprofits technology needs, many those who support nonprofits in their technology use are staff members who have different primary roles (called accidental techies) and volunteers.

Those providing support to nonprofit organizations regarding their use of computers, the Internet and networking technologies are sometimes known as eRiders or circuit riders, or more broadly as NTAPs (nonprofit technology assistance providers).

A membership association for people volunteering or working for pay to support nonprofit technology is NTEN: The Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network.

Sources of hardware and software

A variety of organizations support NPOs' acquisition of technology, either hardware or software software.

Certain NPOs (for example Free Geek or Nonprofit Technology Resources) support local NPOs with discounted refurbished personal computers.

In the United States and Canada, a web-based membership association that provides non-profit organizations with discounts on products and services, including technology providers, is Non-Profit Purchasing Group. TechSoup performs a similar function internationally.

For developing areas or nations, technology may be available from organizations mentioned in Computer technology for developing areas.

Related terms and See also

References

  1. ^ Cravens, Jayne (March 16, 2009). "Listing of Volunteer Management Software". Austin: Coyote Communications. http://www.coyotecommunications.com/tech/volmanage.html. 
  2. ^ "Animal Shelter Manager". rawsontetley. March 29, 2009. http://sheltermanager.sourceforge.net/about.php. 
  3. ^ "Tessitura". March 29, 2009.  |
  4. ^ "Sports Club Manager". Norkfolk, United Kingdom. March 29, 2009. http://sportsclubmanager.co.uk/. 
  5. ^ "DonorDrive Overview". June 22, 2009. http://www.donordrive.com/?page=overview. 
  6. ^ http://www.alabamacharity.wordpress.com
  7. ^ "Make Me Media Savvy: The Art of Working With the Press

External links


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