netCorps is pleased to announce that the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has awarded netCorps a 2-year, $130,000 grant to continue our work with environmental organizations in the Southeast U.S. This project focuses specifically on nonprofits with a focus on freshwater ecosystem conservation.

netCorps assisted our ten 2005 partner groups in developing overall technology plans and then provided funding and assistance in their top technology priorities.

Highlights include:

• A marathon 20-hour installation of new computers, printers and office equipment at the Rome, Georgia offices of the Coosa River Basin Initiative (not to mention a new website)
• An upgraded server, database and a “website in a week” for the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation of Charlotte, North Carolina
• A new member database for the Land Trust for Tennessee
• New computer systems for the South Carolina Environmental Law Project, the Western North Carolina Alliance and the Cumberland River Compact
• A comprehensive technology upgrade for the Lowcountry Open Land Trust of South Carolina, including a new server, new database tools, new electronic newsletter and new website, powered by Plone, an open-source content management system.

“This project has made it possible for us to get the design support we needed to create a more cost-effective way to communicate with our members and prospective supporters in a timely manner,” explains Trish Carothers, Director of Membership and Planned Giving for the Lowcountry Open Land Trust.  “The grant was valued at $6500, but with the training that we received that gives us the capability to update our website and electronic newsletter in-house, I would say it is worth four times that amount.”

Applications will soon be available for organizations interested in being a 2006 partner organization. Participating organizations receive assistance developing a strategic technology plan, as well as funds and support to implement key technology priorities. Click here to be notified when applications are available.