Atlanta – July 13, 2010. Technology is dynamic, and so is Kathleen Kurre, CEO of TechBridge. Kurre’s technology and
entrepreneurial background has equipped her to lead the Atlanta-based nonprofit organization in its mission to help nonprofits use technology to increase their capacity to serve the community. A creator at heart, Kurre thrives on developing, implementing and integrating technology. She
has over thirty years of experience in the financial services and health care industries. She has
taught classes at Georgia Tech on leadership and entrepreneurship, and founded Fusion Advisors
LLC, which focused on creating and sustaining long-term success through team development and
organizational change.
TechBridge is aware of the challenges facing nonprofits related to technology – they put as
many dollars toward their mission as they can. Consequently, as important as they know technology is, many nonprofits
still have old hardware and software that does not have the functionality they need in today’s world and often does not
communicate well with the potpourri of systems.
Nonprofits seek assistance from TechBridge in three key areas: (1) reliable technology infrastructure and technology
planning, (2) Web-enabled business that includes websites, interactive portals and collaboration, and (3) databases to
record and track people, programs, activities and outcomes.TechBridge assists in all of these areas. The organization
uses donated software platforms like Salesforce.com and Microsoft SharePoint to meet these challenges with creative,
sustainable solutions. Much of this work is accomplished by volunteers with technology experience. In 2009, TechBridge
volunteers logged more than 9,000 hours to support nonprofit clients.
Kurre says the solution is properly identifying the problem. For example, if an electronic solution to reduce paperwork
doesn’t increase an organization’s capacity to serve its constituents, the paperwork may not be the problem. Kurre
also advises against trying to implement too many changes at one time; instead, tackle the biggest problem first.
Social media can be a great tool, but not without an adequate database to determine the nonprofit’s target audience.
Therefore, TechBridge starts each project with a technology assessment to ensure proper problem identification. The
assessment explores ways to leverage existing and emerging technologies to better deliver the nonprofit’s services.
TechBridge also offers managed services like problem-solving and technology acquisition advice, and transformative
services, which include website, intranet and database hosting.
Kurre’s recommendation to all nonprofits is one that she lives by “Every day, bring the best of your heart and mind to
what you do.” She adds “Technology is merely a tool to accomplish the mission.”
To learn more about TechBridge, go to www.techbridge.org. |
