Nonprofit technology
Encyclopedia
Nonprofit technology comprises information and communication technologies
that support the goals of nonprofit, nongovernmental
, third sector
, grassroots
, and other mission-based organization
s. This can be both technology that is specifically designed for nonprofits, and technology that is used in the work of nonprofits.
and other networking technology for a number of tasks, including volunteer management and support, donor
management, client tracking and support, project management, human resources
(paid staff) management, financial accounting, program evaluation
, research, marketing, activism
and collaboration. Nonprofit organizations that engage in income-generation activities, such as ticket sales, may also use technology for these functions.
Some technology is created specifically for use by nonprofit organizations. For instance, there are more than 30 software packages designed for nonprofits to use to manage volunteers. There is software designed to help in the management of animal shelters, software to help nonprofit performing arts groups sell tickets and manage donors, software to manage sports clubs, and on and on.
Nonprofit organizations also use both proprietary
and open-source software, as well as various online tools (the World Wide Web
, email
, online social networking, wikis,volunteer web blogs micro-blogging
, etc.), that are also used by for-profit businesses. Nonprofit groups may leverage web-based services in their media outreach, using online newswires such as Nonprofit Newswire.com to disseminate their press releases.
Because of their limited budgets, nonprofit organizations may not be able to upgrade their hardware or software, buy computers or Internet tools, or provide technology training for staff to the degree of for-profit businesses. This means that, often, nonprofit organizations can be on the wrong side of the digital divide
.
The external links listed below provide details on both computer, Internet and networking technology that is specifically designed for nonprofits, and how technology is used in the work of nonprofits.
may have the budget to hire a full-time staff member or part-time consultant to help with computer and Internet technology use, nonprofit organizations usually have fewer financial resources and, therefore, may not be able to hire a full-time staff person to manage and support technology use. While there are nonprofits that can afford to pay staff devoted to managing and supporting the nonprofits technology needs, many those who support nonprofits in their technology use are staff members who have different primary roles (called accidental techies) and volunteers.
Those providing support to nonprofit organizations regarding their use of computers, the Internet and networking technologies are sometimes known as eRiders or circuit riders
, or more broadly as NTAP
s (nonprofit technology assistance providers).
A membership association for people volunteering or working for pay to support nonprofit technology is NTEN: The Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network
.
Certain NPOs (for example Free Geek
or Nonprofit Technology Resources
) support local NPOs with discounted refurbished personal computers.
In the United States and Canada, a web-based membership association that provides non-profit organizations with discounts on products and services, including technology providers, is Non-Profit Purchasing Group. TechSoup performs a similar function internationally.
For developing areas or nations, technology may be available from organizations mentioned in Computer technology for developing areas
.
Information and communication technologies
Information and communications technology or information and communication technology, usually abbreviated as ICT, is often used as an extended synonym for information technology , but is usually a more general term that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of...
that support the goals of nonprofit, nongovernmental
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
, third sector
Voluntary sector
The voluntary sector or community sector is the sphere of social activity undertaken by organizations that are for non-profit and non-governmental. This sector is also called the third sector, in reference to the public sector and the private sector...
, grassroots
Grassroots
A grassroots movement is one driven by the politics of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it are natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures...
, and other mission-based organization
Mission-based organization
Mission-based organization is often used as an alternative to terms such as non-profit and non-governmental organization.Mission-based organizations range from formally incorporated foundations and philanthropic agencies to informal neighborhood groups that undertake an ad hoc project.They may be...
s. This can be both technology that is specifically designed for nonprofits, and technology that is used in the work of nonprofits.
Nonprofit technology uses
Nonprofit organizations use computers, InternetInternet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
and other networking technology for a number of tasks, including volunteer management and support, donor
Donation
A donation is a gift given by physical or legal persons, typically for charitable purposes and/or to benefit a cause. A donation may take various forms, including cash, services, new or used goods including clothing, toys, food, and vehicles...
management, client tracking and support, project management, human resources
Human resources
Human resources is a term used to describe the individuals who make up the workforce of an organization, although it is also applied in labor economics to, for example, business sectors or even whole nations...
(paid staff) management, financial accounting, program evaluation
Evaluation
Evaluation is systematic determination of merit, worth, and significance of something or someone using criteria against a set of standards.Evaluation often is used to characterize and appraise subjects of interest in a wide range of human enterprises, including the arts, criminal justice,...
, research, marketing, activism
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
and collaboration. Nonprofit organizations that engage in income-generation activities, such as ticket sales, may also use technology for these functions.
Some technology is created specifically for use by nonprofit organizations. For instance, there are more than 30 software packages designed for nonprofits to use to manage volunteers. There is software designed to help in the management of animal shelters, software to help nonprofit performing arts groups sell tickets and manage donors, software to manage sports clubs, and on and on.
Nonprofit organizations also use both proprietary
Proprietary software
Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary...
and open-source software, as well as various online tools (the World Wide Web
World Wide Web
The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet...
Email
Electronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
, online social networking, wikis,volunteer web blogs micro-blogging
Micro-blogging
Microblogging is a broadcast medium in the form of blogging. A microblog differs from a traditional blog in that its content is typically smaller in both actual and aggregate file size...
, etc.), that are also used by for-profit businesses. Nonprofit groups may leverage web-based services in their media outreach, using online newswires such as Nonprofit Newswire.com to disseminate their press releases.
Because of their limited budgets, nonprofit organizations may not be able to upgrade their hardware or software, buy computers or Internet tools, or provide technology training for staff to the degree of for-profit businesses. This means that, often, nonprofit organizations can be on the wrong side of the digital divide
Digital divide
The Digital Divide refers to inequalities between individuals, households, business, and geographic areas at different socioeconomic levels in access to information and communication technologies and Internet connectivity and in the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use the information...
.
The external links listed below provide details on both computer, Internet and networking technology that is specifically designed for nonprofits, and how technology is used in the work of nonprofits.
Practitioners / sources of training and support
Whereas a for-profit businessBusiness
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
may have the budget to hire a full-time staff member or part-time consultant to help with computer and Internet technology use, nonprofit organizations usually have fewer financial resources and, therefore, may not be able to hire a full-time staff person to manage and support technology use. While there are nonprofits that can afford to pay staff devoted to managing and supporting the nonprofits technology needs, many those who support nonprofits in their technology use are staff members who have different primary roles (called accidental techies) and volunteers.
Those providing support to nonprofit organizations regarding their use of computers, the Internet and networking technologies are sometimes known as eRiders or circuit riders
Circuit rider (technology)
The term circuit rider, which has its roots in Methodist preaching, has more recently been applied to technology assistance providers who travel to small non-profit organizations in a particular sector to troubleshoot or support particular technology needs in those organizations...
, or more broadly as NTAP
NTAP
NTAP is an abbreviation of nonprofit technology assistance provider.The term generally refers to organizations and individuals that specialize in providing information and communication technology support to nonprofit organizations, without regard for whether the provider itself is formally...
s (nonprofit technology assistance providers).
A membership association for people volunteering or working for pay to support nonprofit technology is NTEN: The Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network
NTEN: The Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network
is an international nonprofit organization based in the United States. Founded in 2000, NTEN is primarily a community for those interested in the use of technology to support nonprofit organizations and issues. Its major activity is an annual international conference, called the Nonprofit...
.
Sources of hardware and software
A variety of organizations support NPOs' acquisition of technology, either hardware or software software.Certain NPOs (for example Free Geek
Free Geek
Free Geek is a collectively run non-profit organization started in Portland, Oregon in 2000. Free Geek has two central goals: to reuse or recycle used computer equipment that might otherwise become hazardous waste, and to make computer technology more accessible to those who lack financial means or...
or Nonprofit Technology Resources
Nonprofit Technology Resources
Nonprofit Technology Resources is a charitable nonprofit organization inside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that "serves low-income people in Philadelphia by recycling used computers, providing hands-on work experience, and assisting community-based service organizations to use computers in their...
) support local NPOs with discounted refurbished personal computers.
In the United States and Canada, a web-based membership association that provides non-profit organizations with discounts on products and services, including technology providers, is Non-Profit Purchasing Group. TechSoup performs a similar function internationally.
For developing areas or nations, technology may be available from organizations mentioned in Computer technology for developing areas
Computer technology for developing areas
Computer technology for developing areas is the donation of technology to developing areas by individuals and organizations . However, donating technology without first coordinating its use, maintenance and final disposal can lead to misuse and potential problems.-Opportunity:Developing countries...
.
Related terms and See also
- Capacity buildingCapacity buildingCapacity building also referred to as capacity development is a conceptual approach to development that focuses on understanding the obstacles that inhibit people, governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations from realizing their developmental goals while enhancing...
- Circuit riderCircuit rider (technology)The term circuit rider, which has its roots in Methodist preaching, has more recently been applied to technology assistance providers who travel to small non-profit organizations in a particular sector to troubleshoot or support particular technology needs in those organizations...
- Community informaticsCommunity informaticsCommunity informatics , also known as community networking, electronic community networking, community-based technologies or community technology refers to an emerging field of investigation and practice concerned with principles and norms related to information and communication technology with...
- Community technology centerCommunity technology centerA community technology center or CTC offers resources to help bridge the digital divide, primarily through the public accessing computers and the internet. These centers are a key part of what is now being referred to as digital inclusion programs. Many centers provide training that ranges from...
- Internet activismInternet activismInternet activism is the use of electronic communication technologies such as e-mail, the World Wide Web, and podcasts for various forms of activism to enable faster communications by citizen movements and the delivery of local information to a large audience...
- Information and Communication Technologies for DevelopmentInformation and Communication Technologies for DevelopmentInformation and Communication Technologies for Development is a general term referring to the application of Information and Communication Technologies within the fields of socioeconomic development, international development and human rights...
- NTAPNTAPNTAP is an abbreviation of nonprofit technology assistance provider.The term generally refers to organizations and individuals that specialize in providing information and communication technology support to nonprofit organizations, without regard for whether the provider itself is formally...
(Nonprofit technology assistance provider) - The Rosetta FoundationThe Rosetta FoundationThe Rosetta Foundation is an off-shoot of the Localisation Research Centre at the University of Limerick, Ireland, and the Centre for Next Generation Localisation , a major research initiative supported by the Irish Government...
External links
- TechSoup: Discounted software and hardware, as well as information about technology for nonprofits
- NTEN: membership association for those interested in nonprofit technology
- Idealware: Reviews and resources to help nonprofits choose software]
- Nonprofit Technology News
- All About Computers, Internet and Web, chapter from the Free Management Library (for nonprofits)