Web Sites with Information to Help Community-Based Organizations
Use Computer & Internet Technology
These web sites provide free online information for community-based
groups regarding computer and Internet technologies. These resources:
- are focused primarily on helping nonprofit organizations, NGOs,
schools, etc. use computer or Internet technology.
- offers free online information
- can be easily accessed by a nonprofit organization who does not
have the latest version of a Web browsing software, does not have
the latest Mac or IBM/Clone, and who may have ISP access via a regular
phone line, rather than DSN or T1.
Launched in 1997 as a strategic partnership between the W. K. Kellogg
Foundation and the University of Michigan through its new School of Information.
Provides a variety of free, very helpful resources, research papers and
reports pertaining to community networks and community technology, including
the 2000 report on
e-Philanthropy, Volunteerism, and Social Changemaking:
a New Landscape of Resources, Issues, and Opportunities,
How to
Teach in Several Places at the Same Time (a technological perspective),
and an overview of the
WebTV technology, with particular emphasis
on its strengths and weaknesses, as well as its potential place in the
realm of community technology.
It's "NGOs and the Internet" section provides many computer and software
training resources in Spanish.
Includes information and links to resources to help nonprofits with
technology issues, as well a searchable database of local/regional organizations
that provide computer and Internet technical assistance to nonprofits.
Currently it is run by NetWorkForGood.
It was an internationally-focused program by the Institute for Agriculture
and Trade Policy, guided by three principles to use the Internet as
a foundation from which to build and offer new potentials and problems,
new opportunities and challenges: accessibility, diversity and scaleability.
The resources were in English, French, Spanish and German. It is no longer available.
This excellent online training course teaches how to effectively use
technology for organizing and advocacy. The course discusses e-mail
and web-based technology that can be adapted for advocacy, outreach,
organizing, and fundraising.
Frequently Asked Questions and their answers, by Idealist.org. There are entire sections devoted to nonprofit tech, including
an index
of Nonprofit Technology Infrastructure Resources and Organizations.
Suggests steps the nonprofit sector can take to use the Internet and
information technology more effectively and creatively.
Provides various online resources and information to help
nonprofits use technology. Includes a weekly "Find of the Week" e-mail
update. Based in San Francisco, California.
An association of nonprofit technology assistance organizations that
provide education about and access to information technology to private
and public nonprofit organizations.
A program by ,
based in San Francisco, California. Provides excellent information,
worksheets and other resources on its web site to help organizations
with technology planning.
Team Tech / Teaming for Technology
These are partnerships in various metropolitan areas around the U.S.
between the United Way and IBM, bringing trained AmeriCorps VISTAs together
with nonprofit organizations to help with technology issues. Some groups
also offer free resources via their web sites, and many teams work with
lower-income/disinfrancised groups. Examples is Main.org in Austin,
Texas.
Provides resources for IT volunteers working in developing countries.
UNITeS is an initiative by the programme.
In addition to resources to help agencies involve online volunteers,
this web site provides specific information to help nonprofits use technology,
such as online discussion group resources, advice for technology volunteers
working with nonprofits, and a Handbook for Online Volunteers
that lists and links to numerous technology tools and materials to help
online volunteers serve nonprofits.
