When leaving the office yesterday, I wrote “blog on technology” on my “to do” list for today. When I looked at that item this morning, after being refreshed by a good night’s sleep, my brain exploded, “What was I thinking?!?!?” I obviously wasn’t thinking. The word “technology” is too all encompassing for a short blog.
I’m of the generation for whom technology meant word processing, spreadsheets, and data management, and decisions about technology use consisted primarily of deciding between a laptop or a desk top, between a PC or an Apple. Not any more. Now technology utilization encompasses so much more:
• fundraising on the web
• tracking grants
• databases for identifying funders
• social networking sites
• electronic marketing
• wifi
• broadband access
• GPS
• VoIP
• Second Life
• twitter
• yes, even blogging!
It is mind-boggling (mind-blogging)!
The bottom line for nonprofits is how you leverage technology to pursue your mission. So, consider this blog as the first of several on utilizing various aspects of technology that can help with running your nonprofit, including raising money for it, all centered on enhancing your mission.
If you would like to do some reading about the role of technology in fundraising and nonprofit management, use the Foundation Center’s Catalog of Nonprofit Literature and use terms such as “Computer technology” and “Internet” in the Subject field. Be sure to fill in the “Years” box with “2008:2009” to make sure you bring up the most recent books and articles.
If you have a technology project in mind that would help your organization be more efficient and effective in serving your constituency, you might be interested in applying for TechBridge’s Technology Innovation Award. The winner gets TechBridge services, Microsoft Software, and cash for project costs. Hurry! The application deadline is February 3, 2009. Past winners include The Atlanta Community Food Bank, Project Open Hand/Atlanta, and MedShare International. Check it out.
If you have comments about the use of technology in fundraising and nonprofit management, please share below. If you want to wait until we address some of the more specific technology topics, we’d love to hear from you then.
Pattie Johnson, Director, Foundation Center – Atlanta
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