CORE TECH SOLUTIONS FOR NONPROFITS

1. CORE TECH SOLUTIONS FOR NONPROFITS The majority of mission-driven organizations struggle to find the technology systems and expertise they need to function effectively. The technology sector does engage in service, however, and tech companies will commonly support nonprofit organizations. On one end of the spectrum, companies will donate basic, off-the-shelf solutions that cover the needs of some organizations (CompuMentor, for example). On the other, innovative and high-profile partnerships between the tech and nonprofit sectors establish cutting-edge platforms to solve social problems (DonorsChoose.org, for example). But this leaves a significant gap in the middle. Most nonprofits need more than donated software but not quite unique, custom platforms, to maintain core fundraising, programmatic and operational functions. These organizations need to be “tech enabled,” or provided with slightly modified solutions and training. But this type of service seems to happen the least. Why? Could be lack of interest in the more mundane pro bono projects. Could be lack of awareness of this need.

2. 25 Taproot ADVISORY SERVICES clients in first two years Hours donated by TAPROOT FOUNDATION PBC’s since 2002 STATE OF PRO BONO THE MARKETPLACE IN NUMBERS 1.5 MILLION Nonprofits lack access to adequate TECHNOLOGY services But they SHOULDN’T These services are available to nonprofits 94% Of Fortune 500 companies have pro bono programs or provide pro bono service There are 6.7 million Technology professionals in the United States Amount by which better technology could increase the 71% number of PEOPLE SERVED by nonprofits $2 billion Amount that corporations have pledged to deliver in pro bono service through the Billion + Change campaign 68% of tech professionals say they want to use their skills to help nonprofits 83% 20 Amount by which better technology could improve nonprofit SERVICE DELIVERY 300 Projects done by CATCHAFIREin New York City in one year 3x More likelya volunteerwill gain material job skills from pro bono vs. traditional skills * Data provided by NPower of the top 25 BUSINESS SCHOOLS that have pro bono programs

3. THERE ARE EVEN PLATFORMS TO HELP MAKE CONNECTIONS. SO… WHAT IS THE ACTUAL PROBLEM? Platforms for connections are a critical first step. But they don’t solve the problem. The problem is not lack of volunteers with the right skills, or even lack of nonprofit access to them. The problem is matching the right talent with the right need Nonprofits don’t always understand their own needs. No client does. Paid consultants would take the time to conduct a needs assessment and create an appropriate scope of work. Pro bono consultants are more likely to do whatever job is asked of them.

4. THE SOLUTION: A PLATFORM THAT MAKES SMART MATCHES The integrated platform will have another diagnostic on the volunteer side to assess skills, that will then match volunteers with nonprofit projects. This will help educate volunteers about need, providing an alternative to browsing around for projects that sound “cool.” This also happens on a smaller scale, but the goal of upgrading more nonprofits to modern technology requires the automation of smarter matches. Without a platform that connects actual need with available talent, the pro bono engagements will be less impactful. Integrated platforms that include digital needs assessments for nonprofits. This will help them understand what their needs really are. Otherwise, they are attracting professionals with the wrong skills or solving problems that aren’t critical. This kind of needs assessment happens offline by pro bono providers like Catchafire and Taproot. But it doesn’t happen at scale, so it’s the biggest reason that so many nonprofits continually struggle with technology.