Partnership provides technology training to nonprofit organizations

In today’s technology-driven society, an organization has a tough time functioning without technological knowledge and skill. Understanding how technology can best meet its needs is as crucial to the nonprofit sector’s success as it is to a business’s profitability.

Thanks to a two-year grant that the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro awarded to NetCorps, a statewide nonprofit technology consulting agency, Greensboro nonprofits are being offered technology training and assistance free of charge. The collaborative project is called T.A.P.P., which stands for “Technology Assessment and Planning Project.” T.A.P.P. helps nonprofit groups assess their present use of technology, then create and begin implementing one-to-three-year technology plans.

NetCorps, which is conducting the training, is an agency working to increase the capacity of nonprofit organizations by helping them understand and apply appropriate communications and information technology tools.

“In the Greater Greensboro area where more than 1,000 nonprofits serve our community daily, there is a tremendous need for technology in programming, operations and strategic planning,” said Melissa Johnson, program officer. “This is a worthwhile project that aligns with the Community Foundation’s recognition of the importance of capacity-building. It will help groups think strategically about how technology can best fulfill their program and organizational needs.”

T.A.P.P. has two phases. This year in its first phase, three workshops covering various technology topics are being held. The workshops are offered free of charge to area nonprofits.

In the second phase, nonprofit organizations may apply for individual consultation with the NetCorps team to develop a technology strategic plan. The six to eight groups selected will receive small matching grants to begin implementing their technology plans. The deadline for the application process is September 30, 2003. A Community Foundation advisory committee, working with NetCorps, will choose the nonprofit groups to participate in this phase.

Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about T.A.P.P. may contact Melissa Johnson at (336) 379-9100 or her email, mjohnson@cfgg.org.

Reprinted from Horizon, the newsletter of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Fall 2003