TechBridge enables Georgia Legal Services Program to bridge Digital Divide with $500,000 Microsoft software contribution

Technology nonprofit assists fellow Georgia nonprofits with $1 million-plus in software donations, as Microsoft Corp. announces additional $3 million to  fuel national nonprofit network

Atlanta, May 11, 2004 --  TechBridge announced today that it has facilitated a donation of more than $500,000 worth of Microsoft software to the Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP).  The GLSP order represents the largest software donation TechBridge has secured for one of its clients and brings the total software contributions TechBridge has facilitated through its affiliation with the NPower Network to more than $1 million in the past year.

The software donation will help GLSP build its technology infrastructure among the organization’s 12 state offices.  GLSP will use the software donation to upgrade more than 200 desktops and 25 servers with the latest Microsoft client server software, Windows operating system and Microsoft Office suite. 

“With a staff of 185 providing legal aid to thousands of low-income clients across the state, technology plays a critical role in helping GLSP coordinate information and streamline service delivery, ” said Phyllis Holmen, executive director Georgia Legal Services Program.  “Thanks to TechBridge and this substantial contribution from Microsoft and the NPower Network, we will be able to leverage technology even further to increase our capacity to serve Georgia’s residents who have the greatest need.”

TechBridge is working with GLSP to improve its technical infrastructure.  Projects include designing a new telephone system that will eliminate long-distance fees for calls between GLSP’s offices and helping to design and build a new data infrastructure that will streamline information access and sharing among GLSP staff. TechBridge conducted a technology assessment for GLSP, which served as the basis for the organization’s donation request.

“Working with organizations like GLSP, we witness everyday how nonprofits are improving service delivery by integrating technology into their daily operations,” said Jack McMillan, CEO of TechBridge.  “It’s gratifying to help a very deserving community service agency like GLSP get a significant boost in its technology resources.”

Nationally, Microsoft announced today that it has renewed its commitment to the NPower Network with a $3 million, two-year grant, building upon the company’s initial $25 million, five-year investment in the program.  In addition to continued financial support, Microsoft will also work with NPower to include local NPower programs like TechBridge in eligibility for Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential grants, which focus on providing technology skills through community-based organizations around the world.

“Unfortunately many of our community’s nonprofits lack the funding and resources to obtain the latest technology systems or training,” said Kirsten Kliphouse, general manager, Microsoft Southeast District. “TechBridge is a leader in empowering nonprofits with technology tools and assistance to maximize their productivity, allowing them to focus more time and energy on providing valuable services to those in need.”

The Microsoft & NPower National Partnership was established in September 2000 in an effort to offer no-cost and low-cost technology assistance to build and strengthen the IT capacity of nonprofit communities across the country.

TechBridge facilitates Microsoft software donations to nonprofits through its affiliation in the NPower Network. NPower is a national federation of nonprofit organizations that provide technology services and support to other nonprofit agencies. TechBridge has helped several Georgia nonprofits receive software donations including the Atlanta Community Food Bank, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, CHRIS Homes, Cooperative Resource Center, Eating Disorders Information Network, Families First, Literacy Action, Lost Boys of Sudan, MUST Ministries, Park Pride, Partnership Against Domestic Violence, Partnership for Community Action, Project Open Hand, Samaritan House, Southeastern Council of Foundations, The Herring Foundation of Hope.

About GLSP
Georgia Legal Services, an independent, nonprofit organization, provides free legal services to low-income people in civil matters in the 154 Georgia counties outside the five-county Atlanta metropolitan area. The mission of Georgia Legal Services is to work for equal access to justice under law to all people of Georgia. 

About TechBridge
TechBridge is a nonprofit organization that helps nonprofits use technology to better serve our community.  TechBridge provides professional, affordable technology consulting services, innovative technology solutions and access to the financial, technical and human resources that nonprofits need to be successful.

TechBridge is an affiliate of the NPower Network whose mission is to put technology know-how in the hands of nonprofits.  For more information on NPower, visit www.npower.org.  For more information about TechBridge call 404-879-5405 or visit www.techbridge.org.

About the NPower Network
The NPower Network puts technology know-how into the hands of thousands of nonprofits nationwide by providing a suite of high quality, affordable, unbiased technology services including assessment, planning, implementation, support and training. In addition to benefiting from the network’s hands-on services, over 7,000 organizations use NPower’s free online technology planning tool, TechAtlas. Thanks to visionary, founding investment from Microsoft, the NPower Network has expanded from one to twelve local NPowers since the first NPower’s inception in Seattle in 1999.  In total, over 70 foundations and corporations support NPower’s efforts to help more nonprofits, in more communities, use technology to create a better world. More information is available at www.npower.org.

About Microsoft
Microsoft began its philanthropic activities in 1983, and it was one of the first philanthropic efforts in the high-tech industry. Microsoft Unlimited Potential is a global program that focuses on improving lifelong learning for underserved young people and adults by providing technology skills through community-based technology and learning centers. Microsoft believes that by providing the necessary training and tools, it will help create social and economic opportunities that can transform communities and enable people to realize their potential. More information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/citizenship/.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.