Nonprofit Organizations and Using Technology: Sources of Information

Arts Wire SpiderSchool

A project of the New York Foundation for the Arts, Arts Wire helps artists and arts organizations make better use of technology. The project’s Web site offers online versions of Arts Wire’s workshops on subjects such as how to build a Web site, develop a technology plan,

and use the Internet as a marketing tool. Although the workshops use arts groups as examples, much of the information applies to any charity. Go to: http://www.artswire.org/spiderschool Camp Yahoo

Yahoo has created a training curriculum for nonprofit organizations, libraries, schools, and community groups that want to teach people how to use the Internet. Organizations can request a free “Camp Yahoo Pack,” which includes separate lesson plans for teaching children and adults. Go to: http://camp.yahoo.com

The Community Connector

A project of the University of Michigan School of Information Community Networking Initiative, in Ann Arbor, this Web site provides information about community networks and community technology centers and how such projects are increasing access to computers and encouraging greater civic involvement. The site includes a directory of community networks across the country and links to Web sites of interest to community technology projects. Go to: http://databases.si.umich.edu/cfdocs/community/index.cfm

Coyote Communications: Technology Tip Sheets

Developed by Jayne Cravens, an Internet consultant in Austin, Tex., and director of the Virtual Volunteering Project, this Web site offers charities advice on how to use technology to improve their operations. Subjects discussed include how to choose a database, build and maintain a Web site, and use e-mail and the Internet to reach out to members, donors, and volunteers. Go to: http://www.coyotecom.com

Ericsson Internet Community Awards

The Ericsson Internet Community Awards, sponsored by the Stockholm telecommunications company, recognize nonprofit organizations for their innovative technology ideas. The program’s Web site provides the full text of applications submitted by the contest’s finalists, as well as summaries of each of the more than 1,400 entries. Go to: http://www.ericsson.com/erica

Helping.org: Nonprofit Resources

The Benton Foundation, an operating foundation in Washington, provides information for charities on this Web site, which was created by the AOL Foundation, in Dulles, Va. The site explains ways charities can better use technology in their programs, as well as details on how charities can increase access to technology in poor communities. Go to: http://www.helping.org/nonprofit

The Non-Profit Matrix

Developed by Hewitt and Johnston Consultants, a fund-raising consulting company in Toronto, this Web site offers a directory of online technology services designed for nonprofit organizations. The site provides information about and links to online giving sites, shopping sites that allow customers to designate a portion of their purchases to charity, online event-management and auction services, and companies that process online donations. Go to: http://www.nonprofitmatrix.com

Nonprofit Tech Association: Tech Library for Nonprofits

The Nonprofit Tech Association, a nonprofit organization in San Francisco, provides technology assistance to nonprofit groups. The group’s Web site includes profiles of how charities are using technology in their work, information on technology planning, computer tips, reviews of computer hardware and software products, and links to Web sites of interest to nonprofit organizations. Go to: http://www.tech-library.org

Nonprofit Toolkit

Created by the New York Foundation for the Arts, this site is an online magazine that offers technology news and advice for charities. Go to: http://www.nptoolkit.org

Npotech

Operated by Carnet Williams, a nonprofit technology consultant in San Francisco, Npotech allows readers to share news about nonprofit technology and comment on one another’s submissions. The site also features discussion forums on topics such as technology training, as well as on use of specific software programs. Go to: http://www.npotech.org

Progressive Technology Project

This site grew out of discussions among grassroots organizers and grant makers on how information technology can be used to achieve social change. The project provides technical assistance and grants. Go to: http://www.progressivetech.org

Techportal.org

This Web site provides a searchable database that lists companies and foundations that award grants for technology, businesses that make equipment and software donations, computer-recycling programs, organizations that provide low-cost computer training, Web sites that provide information for charities, and more. The site was created by TeamTech San Francisco, an AmeriCorps program that helps local nonprofit organizations better use technology. Go to: http://www.techportal.org

TechRocks

A program of the Rockefeller Family Fund in New York, TechRocks seeks to help nonprofit organizations and foundations use technology to bring about social change. Visitors to the site can download Ebase, the project’s free database program that allows charities to keep track of members’ advocacy interests and how much money they have contributed to the group. The site also describes the project’s efforts to promote online advocacy and circuit riding — a practice in which a technology expert travels to related organizations to provide assistance. Go to: http://www.techrocks.org

TechSoup

Created by CompuMentor, a San Francisco charity that provides technology assistance to nonprofit groups and schools, TechSoup presents its own articles and worksheets on a variety of technology topics — such as planning, hardware, and databases — and also links to information about nonprofit discounts on computer equipment and software, a glossary of technology terms, and stories on how charities are using technology in their work. Users can download free programs from the site and complete technology-planning worksheets online. CompuMentor also publishes a related monthly e-mail newsletter, By The Cup. Go to: http://www.techsoup.org

United Way of New York City: Tech News

Every two months, the United Way of New York City posts a newsletter on its Web site that helps charities learn more about technology and how they can use it to improve their work. Go to: http://www.uwnyc.org/other/g.html

U.S. Department of Commerce: Technology Opportunities Program

Formerly known as the Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program, this program awards matching grants to nonprofit groups and state and local governments to integrate technology into education, health-care, and other projects. The program’s site includes project descriptions and contact information for the grants that have been awarded since 1994. Go to: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/otiahome/top

Virtual Volunteering Project

A project of the Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin, this Web site discusses how nonprofit organizations can take advantage of volunteers who complete their tasks via the Internet. The site includes examples of how charities are working with online volunteers, information on how to start an online volunteer program, and advice for prospective “virtual volunteers.” Go to: http://www.serviceleader.org/vv

WebLab

A project of the New York Foundation for the Arts, WebLab develops and promotes Web sites that take advantage of new communications technology to discuss social and policy issues. Go to: http://www.weblab.org

CharitySoft

An online forum to discuss the use of technology in nonprofit organizations, maintained by CharityChannel, a company that sponsors e-mail discussion lists for nonprofit professionals.

To subscribe: Send an e-mail message to Listserv@CharityChannel.com that states in the body of the message “subscribe charitysoft Your Name.” Leave the subject blank, and do not include e-mail addresses in the body of the message.

The Internet Insider

An e-mail newsletter that profiles Web sites and e-mail discussion lists of interest to nonprofit professionals. The twice-monthly newsletter is published by Educational Funding Strategies, a company that provides online courses on fund raising.

To subscribe: Send an e-mail message to mlgross@aol.com. In the body of the message, type the words: “subscribe insider.”

Net Results

This monthly newsletter, delivered via e-mail, is designed to help charities use e-mail and the Internet. It is published by Lipman Hearne, a company in Chicago that provides marketing and communications services to nonprofit organizations. Back issues are available at http://www.lipmanhearne.com/net_results.htm.

To subscribe: Send an e-mail message to majordomo@listbox.com. In the body of the message, type “subscribe netresults.” Leave the subject blank, and do not include e-mail addresses in the body of the message.

NPTalk

An online forum to discuss the use of technology by nonprofit organizations for public-policy activities, such as research on public-policy issues, advocacy work, voter education, and encouraging greater participation in public-policy debate. NPTalk is maintained by the Nonprofits’ Policy & Technology Project, which is run by OMB Watch, a Washington nonprofit group.

To subscribe: Send an e-mail message to lyris@ombwatch.org. In the body of the message type “subscribe nptalk Your Name.” Leave the subject blank, and do not include e-mail addresses in the body of the message.

Org Webmasters

Org Webmasters is an e-mail discussion list for nonprofit Web masters. The list was founded by Steve McGarry, a lawyer in Houston.

To subscribe: Send an e-mail message to orgwebmasters-on@mail-list.com.

Coming of Age in the Information Age, published by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change, 5 Boar’s Head Lane, Suite 100, Charlottesville, Va. 22903; (804) 971-2073; fax (804) 971-7042. The report is available online at http://www.pew-partnership.org/pubs/pubs.html.

E-Philanthropy, Volunteerism, and Social Changemaking: A New Landscape of Resources, Issues, and Opportunities, published by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, 1 Michigan Avenue East, Battle Creek, Mich. 49017; (616) 968-1611; fax (616) 968-0413.

The Nonprofit Guide to the Internet: How to Survive and Thrive, Second Edition, by Michael Johnston. Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 1 Wiley Drive, Somerset, N.J. 08875; (800) 225-5945; fax (732) 320-2300; http://www.wiley.com; 240 pages; $29.95; I.S.B.N. 0-471-32857-x.

Technology Tracking Study of the Nonprofit Sector, July 2000, published by Gifts In Kind International, 333 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Va. 22314; (703) 836-2121; fax (703) 549-1481; http://www.giftsinkind.org; 21 pages; $15 for nonprofit groups, $30 for for-profit companies; send payment to the attention of Jennifer Mateik and include an e-mail address for an electronic copy.

The Wilder Nonprofit Field Guide to Fundraising on the Internet, by Gary M. Grobman and Gary B. Grant. Publisher: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, P.O. Box 2029, Danbury, Conn. 06813-2029; (800) 274-6024; fax (651) 642-2061; http://www.wilder.org; 64 pages; $15; I.S.B.N. 0-940069-18-x.

The Wilder Nonprofit Field Guide to Getting Started on the Internet, by Gary M. Grobman and Gary B. Grant. Publisher: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, P.O. Box 2029, Danbury, Conn. 06813-2029; (800) 274-6024; fax (651) 642-2061; http://www.wilder.org; 64 pages; $15; I.S.B.N. 0-940069-13-x.

Wired for Good: A Technology Guide Book for Nonprofits, edited by Katie M. Blackenship and Jeanne Toms. Publisher: Center for Excellence in Nonprofits, 1515 The Alameda, Suite 302, San Jose, Calif. 95126; (408) 294-2300; fax (408) 294-8600; http://www.cen.org; 114 pages; $25 ($20 for members of the center).