IT Fundraising for Nonprofits

This presentation will help attendees identify and overcome some of the barriers associated with securing funds for IT projects always remembering that mission sells technology.

Abstract: Allocating appropriate resources to Information Technology (IT) has been a problem for nonprofits in terms of funds, people, and organizational attention. For many nonprofits technology acquisitions are treated in a zero-sum manner where every dollar spent on technology is a dollar not spent on programs. “Unkind” inkind (i.e., donated computers) may not do the job. This presentation will help attendees identify and overcome some of the barriers associated with securing funds for IT projects always remembering that mission sells technology.

Purpose of Presentation: The purpose of this presentation is to

increase the confidence of nonprofit managers to secure funding for IT-related initiatives by improving understanding of writing technology proposals and expanding the range of options available.
Identify what makes IT fundraising so challenging,
Systematically review techniques targeted specifically at the challenges.
IT initiatives often have a clear return on investment (ROI); by learning how to present this data, attendees should find it easier to secure funding.
Tie technology to mission

Goals and Objectives:

Attendees will:

1. Understand how IT-related proposals differ from non-IT proposals
2. Develop methods for writing more effective proposals.
3. Recognize issues and possible strategies for rethinking the allocation of their organization’s resources budgeted for IT
4. Learn about additional resources to assist them with their technology funding search
5. Become vigilant about viewing all technology proposals as enhancers to you mission.