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Project Connect
Fall 1999- Spring 2000
Overview
Project Connect was a partnership project between NetCorps and the McKenzie River Gathering (MRG) Foundation designed to dramatically increase the communications and information management capacity of 24 organizations currently in MRG’s grantee pool. Project Connect provided a Needs Assessment process for 24 of the grantees and continued technological assistance to 12 of these groups. NetCorps was responsible for coordinating each phase of the project, including staffing, logistics, training, and technical support.
With Project Connect, NetCorps made a significant contribution to building an infrastructure for social change in the 21st Century. In addition, NetCorps interns had the opportunity to become leaders, teachers, and workers striving to help organize socially progressive groups into a more powerful voice for change.
Project Design
Project Connect was designed in three phases:
- Phase 1: Needs Assessment
Questionnaires, inventories, and on-site visits provided us with a “snapshot” of each group’s current communication and information management systems. Discussion of future goals completes the picture and helped us make recommendations for next steps. - Phase 2: Implementation of Training and Technology Awards
NetCorps worked closely with each group to schedule on-site installations or training and ensure that the project was tailored to fit the organization. We anticipated that many of the projects would focus on computer purchases/upgrades, databases, websites and internet access and use, LANs, and related training. - Phase 3: Follow Up Technical Support
For three months after the Implementation Phase, NetCorps provided proactive technical support for each grantee. Our interns contacted each grantee every week to check in on progress, offer tips and suggestions, and trouble-shoot any issues related to Project Connect implementation.
Our Partners in Project Connect
The McKenzie River Gathering (MRG) Foundation wanted to help their grantees -- small social change organizations in Oregon (many in rural, technologically under-served communities across the state) -- build capacity and optimize the opportunities offered by communications technology. NetCorps partnered with MRG to adapt our technology assistance model (of needs assessments, project management, and follow up support) to fit the "circuit rider" style of assistance that would be required to work with MRG grantees. Together, MRG and NetCorps broke new ground in creating a replicable and sustainable means of building capacity in the nonprofit section through appropriate use of technology.
More about Project Connect:
Click on the following link to download the Project Connect Final Report (in PDF format):