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Technology Nonprofit Sees Uptick in Volunteers |
Brian Betkowski finds that by volunteering at Atlanta-based nonprofit TechBridge, he is actually volunteering at hundreds of nonprofits around metro Atlanta. Even in a tough economy, TechBridge, which helps other nonprofits upgrade computer systems, networks and other technology, has seen a rise in corporate and individual volunteers. TechBridge sees a range of people with technology skills who are asking how they can help, said TechBridge CEO Kathleen Kurre. “The economy is an instigator of this, but it is not the primary reason for more volunteering,” Kurre said. “The primary reason is we are in a time now when people are feeling their pull to the community.” The trend really began in 2007, and continued in 2008, she said. But the real increase in volunteers has been in those where a specific project is identified. “It takes focus and effort to identify the projects and the right type of volunteers to help,” Kurre said. “It also asks the volunteers to contribute time over a period of time, so that the commitment is not just an event or a number of hours, but a result.” Betkowski, partner at Jabian Consulting, a division of Jabian LLC, provides management and IT consulting for nonprofits through TechBridge. “I don’t know of another place where you can, by helping one nonprofit, help so many others,” he said. Jabian uses its core skills “at a real grass-roots level.” Nonprofits need to be more efficient than ever in a difficult economy, Betkowski said. “The efficiency they gain with the right technology allows them to put their money where it really needs to go in the community, not to internal resources,” he said. Nonprofits can more easily request grants or individual funding when they are able to access information quickly and accurately through technology, said Sandy Hofmann, chief information officer-in-residence at the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), which aids entrepreneurs in launching high-tech companies. “Internet-based applications may allow nonprofit employees to operate remotely and reduce facilities overhead. Web sites can extend the reach of a nonprofit and provide a portal for information-sharing,” she said. In addition to more volunteers, TechBridge has also been getting help itself. “Microsoft has been a big donor and supporter of TechBridge and has given millions of dollars of software to the nonprofit community here,” TechBridge’s Kurre said. Accenture Ltd. was an early supporter of the nonprofit’s mission. Working with TechBridge “lined up very well with our overall business and corporate citizenship,” said Craig Ramsey, managing director for Accenture’s Atlanta office. “We saw this as an opportunity to make this broader movement of connecting technology with not-for-profits and a way to make a huge difference in where we live and work.” Despite the economic climate, Accenture continues to provide support to TechBridge, he said. When notices go out to employees for volunteer opportunities, Accenture sometimes has to limit the numbers because so many are willing to sign up, Ramsey said. “In tough economic times, I’m extremely proud of our workforce wanting to make a difference,” Ramsey said. “And I think we’re representative of other companies out there, too.” Helen Berg, vice president of consulting services for Hitachi Consulting Corp., has volunteered at TechBridge off and on for five years. “I’ve always kind of believed in the TechBridge mission,” said Berg, who has helped with fundraising, the Digital Ball, and organizational and volunteer management. Helping TechBridge creates a cascade effect — helping the hundreds of nonprofits it supports, she said. “I have pursued a career in technology and feel like I am giving back some of my knowledge and what I’ve learned,” she said. But volunteering also helps the corporation that does it, ATDC’s Hofmann said. “Volunteering as part of a group brings many benefits to the company, the nonprofit, and the individuals in the group.” At the ATDC, where early-stage companies are incubating, engaging with the nonprofit community is an important building block in creating a respected company, she said. Whether it is a well-established Fortune 100 company or a startup company, volunteers make a difference. “Engaging employees in support of volunteer programs benefits the company’s reputation, improves employee satisfaction, increases the nonprofit’s capacity, expands the community impact, and enriches the employee,” Hofmann said. “These shared experiences provide a development opportunity which cannot be matched in most corporate environments.” By the numbers |
