Technology is consistently cited as the #1 functional challenge for nonprofits and 88% of nonprofits surveyed say they have inadequate tech support, said Miriam Young. Miriam is Nonprofit Outreach and Engagement Manager for NPower, a national nonprofit that strives to bring the tech community together for social good. She was addressing an audience of over 60 leaders representing a diverse mix of 40 501(c)3 charities in New Jersey and New York.
The February 22nd event was jointly sponsored by NPower and the New Jersey Society for Information Management (NJ SIM) Foundation, and was hosted by TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation (NYSE: AMTD) at their offices in Jersey City.
Michael Szot, president of the NJ SIM Foundation, described the Foundation's mission to provide financial assistance for technology needs to non-profit organizations and scholarships for students in IT programs. Over $400,000 has been granted to 18 charities since 2009. The charities include national organizations such as Susan G. Komen and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as well as local charities including the Somerset Hills Learning Institute and the Market Street Mission in Morristown, NJ.
Miriam Young described how NPower mobilizes skilled tech volunteers to support nonprofits and schools through its program, The Community Corps.
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One of the greatest benefits of the event was the opportunity for participants to network and identify shared challenges and good practices. It became clear that there are synergies to be leveraged, e.g., combining SIM Foundation grants with NPower consulting services with refurbished computer gear to provide complete and affordable solutions for charities. There was enthusiastic support for continuing such events on, perhaps, a quarterly basis.
To find out more about NPower’s program The Community Corps, visit www.thecommunitycorps.org. Information about NJ SIM Foundation is at simnj.org/NJ-SIM-Foundation and TD Ameritrade at www.amtd.com
TD Ameritrade, NPower and the New Jersey Society for Information Management Foundation are separate and unaffiliated companies that are not responsible for one another’s services and policies.
