Some Fall Behind in Technological Revolution
Randy Southerland
April 13, 2007

For years, many nonprofits have been at the back of the line in acquiring even the most rudimentary technology.

"The biggest part of it is just the lack of resources, financial and otherwise, in the nonprofit sector and a focus on meeting their mission first and tackling some of the things like capacity which technology represents as a second priority," said Jack McMillan, CEO of Sandy Springs-based TechBridge, a nonprofit that helps other nonprofits meet their technology needs.

His organization, an affiliate of the national NPower Network, works with 182 organizations in metro Atlanta ranging from the high-profile -- from the Georgia Aquarium to the Gateway Center, which fights homelessness in downtown Atlanta. It's all done at half the $125 or more an hour charged by the typical for-profit vendor.

TechBridge provides a wide range of services including setting up e-mail, maintaining computer servers, establishing virtual workspaces and providing overworked and often part-time in-house IT personnel with help desk advice. For many, that help spells the difference between having access to technology and not being able to use computers to create client and donor databases, communicate by e-mail and use word processing and other programs that companies with big information technology budgets take for granted.

"There are some very astutely aware organizations that are on the leading edge in terms of their use of technology," McMillan said.

"But, in general, there is a lack of awareness in many cases and even where awareness exists there are challenges around obtaining the funding and the financial resources to invest in this kind of capacity."

A recent survey by TechBridge's parent NPower, of both nonprofits and their service providers, found that organizations are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of technology and the impact that it can have on their mission.

The survey report said that "respondents report that most often they are working to help nonprofit clients improve internal and external communication or to make service delivery and operations more efficient."

"They also emphasize using technology to improve collaboration within and outside of organizations and to build an organization's ability to make decisions about future technology needs."

At Advocates for Bartow's Children in Cartersville, Channell Swain handles administrative and all IT functions for the small nonprofit.

"Before I started they weren't using [Microsoft] Outlook even here," Channell said. "When I came on with the Advocates, I implemented a lot of computer-based services that have helped, even down to automated time sheets."

With support from TechBridge, Advocates for Bartow Children was able to bring functions such as servicing its Web page in-house, making it easier to make more frequent updates and get information out much faster than with an outsourced service.

"It's a small office, but being able to communicate more effectively via e-mail and using Outlook being able to see what's on someone's calendar, being able to add things to the calendar and things like that have just been a tremendous improvement," Swain said. "I have also created several Access databases that are being used and it just makes things more uniform."

TechBridge provides on-site services, including maintaining the computer server during regular monthly visits. Swain also utilizes the locally based telephone help desk support when she has problems that she can't solve on her own.

Fees such as those paid by the organization account for about 55 percent of TechBridge's operating budget. The other half comes from donations.

A corporation can provide in-kind services as well as volunteer work by its own IT professionals. Alpharetta-based NetBank Inc. has donated more than $170,000 to TechBridge in addition to both volunteer work by employees and donations of used computer equipment, according to Rebecca Abernathy, a communications specialist with the bank.

As its client base has risen, fees have begun accounting for a larger share of the costs of providing services. Over the past six years, this figure has steadily increased and will continue to rise, according to McMillan.