Tech on a Budget 2.0

Harvesters Agency Conference

Tech on a Budget WorkshopMatt Quinn, IT Manager

October 23, 2012

Agency Conf 10/23/12 - slide #2

Tech on a Budget

• Agenda Purpose of this workshop is to introduce you to

resources to advance your group’s cause Align technology to your organization’s strategy,

operations, and communications Affordable technology options for your non-profit:

Desktop Software & Shared Documents Communications Tools – web sites, social networking Donor management system


• Introduce yourself and organization• Who do you serve?• Do you have someone who coordinates IT

work?• How do you communicate with agency

clients?• What is working well for your organization?• What do you need help with?

How are you using Tech?


Desktop Software

• Nonprofits need affordable desktop software Desktop computer with Windows 7

Browser: Mozilla Firefox with Ad Block Plus Internet security software – Clamwin, Bitdefender

Desktop software options: OpenOffice.org (free…always) Microsoft Office (cheap for 501(c)3 on techsoup.org)

Graphics software options: GIMP2, Inkscape, Scribus (free…and open source) Adobe Design CS4 (pricey)


Resources – Free Tech Stuff

• Free Software Techsoup.org – Nonprofits with 501(c)3 status

eligible for greatly reduced desktop software SourceForge.net – open source

• Free Hardware Computer Ministry offers FREE computers –

Windows 7 with OpenOffice, Network Adapter Call Stacy Fischer, Coord of Community Life at 913-

671-2334 or [email protected]


Food Pantry Software

• Fee-Based Software – FoodBank Manager FoodBank Manager - http://www.soxbox.co/ Free trial (no credit card); otherwise $24.95 per month

• Free Software – Food Pantry Operations http://webpages.charter.net/bobalston/nonprofit_food_pantry.htm Email - [email protected]

• Fee-Based Software – Food Pantry Manager Food Pantry Manager - http://www.foodpantrymanager.org/ Free trial ($15 per month fee); otherwise $153 annual fee


Shared Storage

• Nonprofits need to share key documents within your office and outside What’s required?

Secured wireless or wired office network Technology options:

Google Docs/Drive (free) Microsoft Office 365 ($6 per user per month)

Considerations: Security and Backup


• Jumpstart your group’s communication!• Develop simple, consistent, clear methods of

communicating with your members and supporters through “one-way” methods. Email Lists – Google Groups, Yahoo Groups Web Events - Google Calendars Web Sites

• How much time and money is involved?

Basic Communication


Resources – Email

• Network for Good: “The Nonprofit Email Marketing Guide,” http://www.fundraising123.org/files/Nonprofit-Email-Marketing-Guide.pdf

• “One Page Guide to Google Groups E-mail,” http://www.timdavies.org.uk/2009/06/09/one-page-guide-to-google-groups-e-mail-lists/


• Interactive, two-way communication enabling groups to engage supporters. Social Networks – Facebook, Twitter, Blogs,

LinkedIn• “Here Comes Everybody” – don’t be afraid to

try and fail

New Communication


Examples – Social Media

• Twitter – for fundraising Tweetsgiving.org

• Facebook – advocacy, fundraising Causes Facebook Birthdays

• Network for Good Clearinghouse allows groups to receive donations Charity Badges - GO TO SITE


Twitter- Harvesters


Facebook


Resources – Social Media

• What is Facebook? “Facebook 101: Ten Things…” http://www.infotoday.com/it/mar08/Krivak.shtml

• What is Twitter? http://jenuinejen.com/2008/04/29/twitter-for-dummies/

• The 3 E’s of Twitter http://www.oldmedianewtricks.com/the-3-e-of-twitter/

• Blogging: An Introduction http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/730


Media

• Don’t wait for the news, make your own news!

• Use Internet tools to publish and distribute your own story or information. Video sites – YouTube, others Photo sites – Flickr, Picasa Audio sites – Libsyn, iTunes Press Releases – NowPublic, KC Star Press Central


Media - YouTube

• http://www.youtube.com/harvesterskc


Media - Flickr

• http://flickr.com/photos/austinfoodbank


Build a Web Site

• Nonprofits that communicate with clients, financial donors, and volunteers need a web site to inform and engage. Develop a communication plan first. Web site options:

Build-your-own using DreamWeaver, FrontPage, or with Content Management System (Joomla, Drupal)

Web as a Service – Wild Apricot, Nonprofit Soapbox Does your web site need to integrate with a Donor

System to track financial donors and volunteers?


Steps to Build a Web Site

1. Register Your Domain Name2. Evaluate Your Needs3. Pick a Web Development Tool or Service4. Think About How You Will Integrate Your New

Site with Your Existing Tools & Media5. Recruit Web Experts, if Needed


Resources – Web Sites

• Tips for Designing (or Redesigning) a Nonprofit Web Sitehttp://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/webbuilding/page11822.cfm

• A Nonprofit’s Guide to Building Simple, Low-Cost Websites http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/webbuilding/page11890.cfm

• Idealware: Comparing Lower-Cost Online Integrated Appshttp://www.idealware.org/articles/low_cost_integrated.php


Donor Management System

• Nonprofits that solicit from individuals, corporations, and foundations need software to manage donors & volunteers Some nonprofits want to manage all

communication with their “constituents” Follow a guide for selecting a donor management

system: Start with an assessment of your organization Work with an expert!


Resources – Donors

• NPower Seattle “Selecting Donor Management Software” - http://www.npowerseattle.org/resources/selecting-donor-management-software

• Idealware “A Consumers Guide to Low Cost Donor Management Systems” - http://www.idealware.org/low_cost_donor/download.php


Questions?

• Matt Quinn Phone: 816-929-3030 Email: [email protected] Twitter: twitter.com/jmq0004 Facebook: facebook.com/jmq0004 Blog: http://foundationjournal.blogspot.com