February 9, 2006 | Read Time: 1 minute
A new study is under way to look at what types of training and other assistance make a difference in helping nonprofit groups make good use of technology.
The three-year project will be led by NPower, a national network of 12 nonprofit technology-support organizations, and the Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network, in San Francisco, a national organization of individuals, charities, and businesses that provide technology assistance to nonprofit groups.
The organizations want to get beyond “anecdotes and stories” and assess the true value of technology assistance, says Joe Baker, executive director of the Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network.
“A lot of organizations and a lot of funders have spent money on — and continue to spend money on — technology and technology assistance,” says Mr. Baker. “We’re trying to come up with some measures of what impact that has, what are the conditions for success, and what models work in what situations.”
The study, which will be conducted by an outside researcher, will follow 12 charities over two years to analyze the effect of technology assistance on the work that they do. The project will also survey nonprofit organizations that have received technology help, as well as technology-support groups.
The project is expected to cost $350,000 over three years, and will be financed mainly by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Cisco Foundation, and the Surdna Foundation.
For more information: Go to http://www.npower.org.
