Idealware has just released an
outstanding report for FUNDERS entitled “A Funders Guide to Supporting Nonprofit Technology - 10 Ways to Build Your Grantees’ Technical Savvy.” I
have written a number of times about writing a grant for technology and/or
including it in your grant proposals as a line item. But this is the first report I have seen
directed at funders. It is thorough,
straightforward and makes an impeccable case for foundations to integrate technology
into their funding and full range of support.
You must review the whole report if you are a funder. If you are with a nonprofit, read the report, forward it to your funders – today, and incorporate these ideas into your proposals.
Here’s the link:
The report puts technology in the
mission bucket – not in some off on the side administrative bucket – labeling it a tool to help nonprofits meet their
missions. It goes on to describe the technology
capacity building as a single project you could fund that would have a positive impact
throughout all your grantees’ programs and services? The report continues “even a small
investment in your grantees’ technology can have a large impact on
their missions.” Those of us working in the nonprofit technology arena of course know all of
this. But it’s news to lots of
funders.
The
report features case study examples and quotes from funders. Here are two of my favorites:
“Providing technology information
to our grantees leverages the money we’ve already invested—it helps maximize
the efficiency and effectiveness of their projects.”
— Polly Seitz,
Director, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Local Funding Partnerships
“Helping our grantees’ use
technology effectively is the most cost-effective investment we could ever
make.”
—David Krumlauf, The Pierce Family
Foundation
The report describes the pyramid of
technology and its components as follows:
- Functional and secure infrastructure – includes hardware (computers, servers, networking hardware) and software (word processing, spreadsheet, presentation)
- Data Management – Constituent management, program management and accounting software systems.
- Website and email - the online public face and mouthpiece
- Social media—including Facebook, Twitter, or blogs
Barriers
to Technology for nonprofits are:
• Lack of knowledge as to what
can best help them.
• Lack of money to buy the
hardware or software they know they need.
• Lack of staff time to figure
out complex technology issues.
• Lack of knowledgeable
personnel to support technology.
• Turnover of staff members
who understand the technology infrastructure.
• Well-meaning advice that
steers them to solutions that can’t be supported.
• Using solutions that don’t
have any external support available.
• Thinking of technology as
peripheral to their mission.
• Fear of technology or change.
The report advises that before
you can effectively provide help, you need to know where your grantees are
struggling and recommends a simple sample survey as a place to start.
So
how Can Foundations Help?
You’ll have to read the full report to see all of the
ideas. Here are some of my favorites
that I think are particularly helpful to small organizations.
Communication
- Newsletters and social media – feature technology articles, research reports and tips
- Link your grantees to existing resources that can help them
- Include technology books in your resource libraries
- Write articles about best practices for tech in your focus area.
- Create and distribute research surveys and present your findings.
Training
• Send grantees links to
interesting trainings.
• Invite grantees to watch an
online training with you.
• Purchase seats in webinars
or live workshops for your grantees.
• Bring in experts for
informal Q&A sessions.
• Invite your own staff to
train grantees on topics they know about.
• Contract someone to conduct webinars
or live workshops for your grantees. l
Technology
as a Proposal Line Item
Simply allowing grantees to
include technology costs as a line item in proposals will encourage them to
think about and share their needs in this area.
Technology
Capacity Grants
Concerned? Require attendance at technology workshop
first.
Providing
Direct Technology Support
The Pierce Family Foundation is a
great example. They supports its
grantees’ IT and
technology needs with a technical
generalist who does phone consulting and site visits to help each individual grantee.
He provides general technology guidance and help to implement straightforward
solutions— everything from installing virus protection software and
troubleshooting databases to helping to evaluate where technology can have the
biggest impact. By working directly with grantees, he is also able to identify
where additional help or funding could best be put to use. (PS - I've heard David Krumlauf speak and believe me he's a gem.)
Create
New Resources
A great example is the Annie CaseyFoundation which funded a research report to help organizations understand data
visualization, best practices for using infographics for marketing, and how to
create them on a budget.
Funding
Technology Capacity Providers
Organizations such as NTEN,
TechSoupGlobal, and Idealware provide articles, research reports, webinars and
conferences where nonprofits – large and small can learn both the basics and
what’s new and important for them to keep updated on. These organizations
provide invaluable resources for nonprofits – especially smaller ones who don’t
have technology specialists on their staff.
These are just some of the
highlights…You should read the whole report. What do you think of the recommendations in this report? Do you have any to add? Please let us know in the comments.
Marion
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