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.
and
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.
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 offers new potentials and problems,
new opportunities and challenges: accessibility, diversity and scaleability.
Offers resources in English, French, Spanish and German.
Offers technology standards, steps in creating a technology plan, information
on LANs (local access networks), tips for picking the right internet
service, information on backing up data, tips for having an effective
web site, and links to resources from other sites. E-Riders are part
of "Circuit Riding", a program by the Technology Project (see
below) that works to build the technological capacity and creativity
of key nonprofit organizations (NPOs).
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, mostly from the
newsgroup. There are entire sections devoted to nonprofit tech, including
an .
Suggests steps the nonprofit sector can take to use the Internet and
information technology more effectively and creatively.
by the Computer Information Resource Center for Nonprofits and Public
Agencies and . 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 are and .
nonprofit org committed to providing assistance to non-profit organizations
with computer, information, networking, database and telecommunications
needs.
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.
