Free and Reduced Cost Technology Resources and Services for Non-Profits
We recently had the opportunity to assist a client in gaining access to Google for Nonprofits, available at no cost to qualified organizations around the globe. TechSoup provided vetting services for Google on this project, and it turns out it does a whole lot more.
If you aren’t already aware, TechSoup is the leading nonprofit network facilitating the distribution of technology solutions to more than one million NGOs throughout the United States and the world.
TechSoup equips changemakers with transformative technology solutions and skills they need to improve lives. It offers discounts on the tools that nonprofits need, and its initiatives provide connections, expertise, and resources to unlock the power of tech for social good.
TechSoup provides…
Technology Solutions and Services - Its NGO Tech Marketplace provides eligible organizations with donated and discounted software, hardware, services, and training via partnerships with technology service providers. The average nonprofit saves $12,000 on technology products over the course of its TechSoup membership. TechSoup's marketplace includes more than 500 products from over 100 companies including Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco, Intuit, and Zoom.
Education - Technology changes constantly, and TechSoup helps nonprofit leaders stay up-to-date and keep innovating. You can learn from experts in TechSoup Courses that have deep experience in the sector and understand nonprofits’ unique needs, as well as discover useful technology resources and tips through TechSoup's free blog, articles, and how-tos.
Community and Connections - Truly transformative knowledge is often built through collaboration and partnership. Tech Soup provides forums, live events, and webinars to help nonprofits build communities, share resources, and discover new opportunities for social impact. Its communities foster many types of collaboration and peer learning opportunities to enable people to work together toward a more equitable world.
Tech Soup recently launched a community-based platform called Quad. It’s a dedicated community where participants can interact with their peers, attend events, share solutions and needs, and gain access to needed technology solutions, services, and training.
Digital Assessment Tool - TechSoup also offers a free Digital Assessment Tool, that assigns organizations scores based on the five identified stages of nonprofit capability (see below) across Programs, Fundraising, Communications, Operations, Infrastructure, and Security.
Ad Hoc: Organizations make reactive and isolated investments in people, processes, and technology solutions in order to meet critical needs.
Functional: Organizations make some investments in people, processes, and technology solutions in order to meet immediate day-to-day needs.
Standardized: Organizations' staffing, training, and processes are well developed so that technology solutions are used according to sets of standardized guidelines across the organization.
Optimized: Organizations recognize the importance of continual investment in the improvement of technology solutions and the people and processes required to support them.
Adaptive: Organizations consistently evaluate technology for strategic advantage and invest significantly in people and processes to be at the forefront of effective technology.
We encourage you to visit the TechSoup website to learn more about its mission and the services it provides for its members. It’s a great place to connect with technology resources that may be difficult if not impossible to get anywhere else.
