 |
Help for the Helpful |
In the past year and a half, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta has used the nonprofit TechBridge in a variety of ways, from redeveloping its Web site to learning about technology through workshops tailored to the nonprofit community. The next step will be for TechBridge to help the organization with its newest round of information technology strategic planning.
"It allows us to access professional consultation at nonprofit costs," said John Hurlbut, chief information officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs.
The Boys & Girls Clubs recently relaunched its Web site, which now allows the organization to offer in-depth details about its programming, give volunteers a simple way to access its network and facilitate fund-raising in a more professional way, he said.
As charitable organizations see that technology can help them run more efficiently in the long run, they also are fighting to balance administrative and technology costs with funding their mission.
Some seek help from TechBridge, which was founded in 2000 by Scott Geller and Steve Linowes to serve area nonprofits struggling with the use of technology.
Jack McMillan, a former Accenture Ltd. executive who joined two years ago as CEO, said TechBridge channels resources from the for-profit technology and business community to help nonprofits be more efficient through the use of technology.
"We're kind of that bridge between the for-profit world and all the technology resources, and these nonprofits that need it," he said. "We're really that central clearinghouse for financial resources, hardware, software and skilled technical resources to be applied efficiently in the nonprofit world."
McMillan said that because non- profits are mission-oriented, they and their funders would like to provide every dollar possible to their programs.
"We're trying to help them spend the dollars they spend on technology efficiently and wisely," he said.
Nonprofits are not different from small businesses in that they struggle with prioritizing needs, such as the need for updated software versus putting the money elsewhere, said Karen Beavor, president and CEO of the
"Nonprofits, unlike for-profits -- they're here to accomplish a cause," she said. "They try to put as much resources and effort to do what they do," she said. "Many times, operational issues, management issues take a back seat to that; technology is one of them."
The use of technology is changing. Technology is the means by which nonprofits can do their business smarter and more broadly. "It's a matter of working more efficiently," said Dr. Gary Nelson, president of the Healthcare Georgia Foundation.
Web sites are used more and more for communication, which helps diminish print costs for mailings, Beavor said. Nonprofits are using e-mail newsletters to drive people to their Web sites for further information. She said the Web is being used somewhat for fund-raising, particularly for larger groups.
Another aspect of technology that nonprofits are finding important is integrating information, such as financial data, a donor database and a client database. Smaller organizations continue to struggle with equipment as computers and other items age and break, she said. "It's going to be a constant struggle within an industry that is operationally cash-strapped," she said.
McMillan said the three greatest needs among nonprofits are basic infrastructure support, technology planning and a Web site. TechBridge offers a variety of services to members, who pay based on the size of the nonprofit. Rates range from $350 a year for organizations with an annual budget up to $250,000 to $650 for groups with a budget of $5 million or more.
Jennifer Higgins, director of development and member services, said TechBridge's free Web site and e-mail hosting save organizations anywhere from $20 to $50 a month. Also included in membership is five free hours of consultant time.
The group provides free software to clients through Microsoft. Training is another aspect, as TechBridge offers workshops on topics such as raising awareness and funds online, technology planning, and wireless technology and mobile data. Through a deal with New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, members receive a 20 percent discount.
A new benefit helps link nonprofit needs with a corporate volunteer's skill set -- through the Corporate Partners Program. So far, 17 companies have expressed interest in participating this way. The volunteers handle tasks that are outside the scope of TechBridge's traditional services, such as helping create a PowerPoint template for presentations or sitting down and answering questions about using a particular program.
TechBridge also has started to bring together resources with the needs of the nonprofit community by taking donated computers and giving them to organizations.
Other TechBridge services are offered at an additional cost ranging from $57 to $85, depending on the annual operating budget. "We try to be a one-stop shop for technology needs," Higgins said.
TechBridge is continuing to work on ways to serve the smaller, less well-funded nonprofits in an economical way, McMillan said. It recently developed a template Web development system that allows small organizations to create a Web site more cheaply than through a custom-developed site.
TechBridge has helped the Healthcare Georgia Foundation develop a technology plan and evaluate distance learning options. Nelson said nonprofits struggling with technical issues are not sure where to go to ask questions and who will give them an accurate and responsible answer.
"They have their ear to the ground -- they know what nonprofits are dealing with on a day-to-day basis," he said. TechBridge has grown through its relationships with technology companies and charitable organizations.
In 2001, TechBridge hosted the first Digital Ball to celebrate the power of technology for nonprofits in the form of financial donations, in-kind donations and volunteer service. The same year, TechBridge joined Microsoft's NPower affiliate network of nonprofit technology assistance providers.
In 2002, TechBridge introduced the Technology Innovation Award, which honors nonprofits' innovative use of technology to better serve communities (see related story, 4C). The winner receives $15,000 worth of consulting services from TechBridge and $25,000 in Microsoft Corp. software; the two finalists receive $5,000 worth of TechBridge services and $10,000 worth of software.
