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Winning System Shows Real Results |
In a world where nonprofits are constantly on the lookout to save time and money through more efficient methods, a three-step process involving fax machines and the re-entry of data may start to look dated at best -- and interfere with efficiency at worst.
For eight senior centers in central
"They can order their meals directly, then do their month-end reporting on client numbers and so forth, and previously that was faxed," explained Stephen Woods, executive director of Project Open Hand/Atlanta. "It was written once, then faxed, then re-entered into the record system."
The new ordering system requires no administrative work in the collection of order information or production of reports for the kitchen, Woods said.
The new approach is just one of the ways Project Open Hand has benefited from winning the Technology Innovation Award last year. The organization received $15,000 in technology services from nonprofit TechBridge and $25,000 in Microsoft software.
The winner of the fourth annual Technology Innovation Award will be announced at the 2005 Digital Ball, TechBridge's annual fund-raising event, to be held May 7 at the
For the second year, Accenture Ltd., a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, is sponsoring the award.
"It raises the level of awareness of what we can do to become involved in supplying technology to the nonprofit sector," said Ann Franks, an awards judge this year and vice president and chief information officer for document management specialist Lanier Worldwide, a new sponsor of the Digital Ball.
Recognition is given for "effective and innovative use of technology" to nonprofits in one or more areas: advancing their missions; increasing the efficiency of day-to-day operations; improving effectiveness in serving clients and key stakeholders; and increasing fund-raising, advocacy or volunteer efforts.
Costs can create a technology gap for some nonprofits that may impede them from running a stronger operation.
Microsoft's involvement in the award "is really aimed at bridging that technology divide" between the corporate and nonprofit worlds, said Microsoft Corp. General Manager Kirsten Kliphouse, who is based in
Award sponsors say there's plenty of room -- and need -- for more participation from the corporate sector to support nonprofit groups with technology services and products. "I would hope by us taking a leadership position ... others [will] step up to the plate," said Craig Ramsey, office managing partner for Accenture in
Franks, a first-time Technology Innovation Award judge, said she was impressed with the number of entries that displayed creativity in technology.
One nonprofit group that targets the arts community "had embraced technology and incorporated it into their theatrical productions in order to attract the 20-something audience back to the theater," Franks recalled.
An environmental organization used technology to mobilize volunteers and schedule educational seminars. Another nonprofit set up a technology center to bring in and develop future entrepreneurs.
Franks said one fact is evident for nonprofits' success: the Web is a basic, necessary technological tool. "It's a must to have a presence on the Web," she said. "You have to have that vehicle to be able to communicate what your message is to the community, to stakeholders." Automating manual processes and having skilled resources also is imperative, she said.
Most nonprofits "are trying to put their time, energy and talents directly to the people that need those products and services," Ramsey said. Technology donations, such as those given through the TechBridge award, "can enable them to focus their time and attention on the service they provide."
