Writing Successful Technology Grants: Overcoming the “Blue Screen of Death.”

Writing Successful Technology Writing Successful Technology Grants:Grants:

Overcoming the “Blue Screen of Death.”

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FUND WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FUND TECHNOLOGY?TECHNOLOGY?

Attitudes Fear of Change Luxury vs. Necessity Feelings of Insecurity Ethos of “MAKE DO”

ATTITUDES ABOUT TECHNOLOGYATTITUDES ABOUT TECHNOLOGY

Eager Adopters– First to embrace new technology. View

technology as fun/challenging. Hesitant Prove-its

– Do not see technology as fun. Prefer to wait until a new technology is proven before trying it.

Resisters– Wants nothing to do w/ technology. Often feel

intimidated or “stupid” when using.

WHY DOES ALL THE MATTER?

• Technology is ESSENTIAL to the success of any nonprofit.

• Commitment to a mission-driven use of technology requires CHANGE!

KEY STAKHOLDERSKEY STAKHOLDERS

1. Staff (at all levels)

2. Board Members

3. Volunteers

4. Funders

5. Members

6. Other Nonprofits

STEPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL STEPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL GRANTGRANT

1. Do your homework

2. Clarify the opportunity

3. Develop a Relationship

4. Craft a Request

PRERQUISITESPRERQUISITES

Internet Access Email Up-to-Date Website Fundraising/Donor Database MOST Important: A Development Plan

Would you write a check to an organization with no phone

number?

Step 1: DO YOUR Step 1: DO YOUR HOMEWORKHOMEWORK

Research Funder Interests, Values, & Priorities

Taylor approach for – Individuals– Corporations– Foundations– Governments

FUNDING PRIORITIES VARYFUNDING PRIORITIES VARY

Technology– Funds reserved specifically for technology

Program– Technology updates used to strengthen

infrastructure/program reporting & tracking

Capacity Building– Frame technology updates as integral to overall

mission

ResourcesResources

Foundation Center– Print Publications– Online – www.foundationcenter.org

Subscription required for some resources

Grantstation.com– Searchable Database/Grant Updates– Subscription Required

Resources cont.Resources cont.

Nonprofit Association– May keep database/provide print info about local

donors

Grants.gov– Provides updates on federal grants/requirements– Downloadable/Online Grant Applications

Step 2: CLARIFY THE Step 2: CLARIFY THE OPPORTUNITYOPPORTUNITY

Create a Technology Plan

CREATING A PLANCREATING A PLAN

Preliminary Assessment– Tech Survey– Staff Skills– Technical Support Needs

Project Prioritization– Identify/prioritize needs

Skills Software Computers

CREATING A PLAN cont.CREATING A PLAN cont.

Implementation– Training (who needs it & who will provide it)– Timeline– Draft a detailed plan

Evaluation

Visit www.techatlas.com for technology planning tools

Use your technology plan as the basis of your request.

Estimate Estimate allall your costs!your costs!

Power Peripherals Software Maintenance, upgrades and

repairs Networking and Security Insurance Training and Support Internet fees Environmental Impact

Remember the 7o/30 Remember the 7o/30 RuleRule

Only 30% of your technology costs go

to actual purchases. The other 70%

includes IT support, training, staff time, etc.

Step 3: DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIPStep 3: DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP

Ask? Who’s already involved (board, staff,

funders)? Who would naturally have interest in our

project? Who might provide Wealth? Wisdom? Work?

Step 4: CRAFT THE REQUESTStep 4: CRAFT THE REQUEST

Don’t reinvent the wheel– There are many grant writing resources available,

use them– Use successful grant as template

ALWAYS follow grant guidelines Ask questions (if permitted) Meet grant deadlines

WHAT PROBLEM WILL THE WHAT PROBLEM WILL THE FUNDING SOLVE?FUNDING SOLVE?

Increase efficiency/effectiveness (mail merge)

Program delivery (case management) Marketing (online membership) Fundraising (database) Communication (email, website) Increase assess to information (internet

access)

A FORMAT TO CONSIDER

Describe the context of your organization’s work w/in your field.

Describe a problem that needs to be addressed in the field.

Describe the solution to this problem. Explain how your organization can better deal with

the problem/address the solutions by putting your improved programs or business systems to work.

Highlight outcomes – short and/or long – that will occur as a result of technology updates.

TECHNOLOGY GRANT TECHNOLOGY GRANT RESOURCESRESOURCES

TechSoup (www.techsoup.com) Strategic Technology (

www.stategictechnology.com) Technology Grant News

(www.technologygrantnews.com)

NEVER PAY RETAIL AGAINNEVER PAY RETAIL AGAIN

TechSoup.com– Provides software to NPOs at very low prices

Gifts In Kind International (www.giftsinkind.org)– Provides donations of software, computers, printers, etc.

TechFoundation (www.techfoundation.org)– Provides technology at cost or through donations.

Ebay (www.ebay.com)– Online action for anything you can imagine.

WHAT THE HECK IS FREEWARE?WHAT THE HECK IS FREEWARE?

Wikipedia Definition:

Freeware is copyrighted computer software which is made available for

use free of charge.

PROGRAMS TO LOOK INTOPROGRAMS TO LOOK INTO

Open Office (www.openoffice.org)– Software similar to Microsoft Office. Includes

word processing and spreadsheet programs– Interfaces w/ Microsoft Office (2003 +)

AVG Virus Protection (www.grisoft.com)– Free Anti-Virus Program– Cheap options for Internet Security, Firewalls, etc.

PROGRAMS cont.PROGRAMS cont.

Spybot Search & Destroy

(www.safer-networking.org)– Anti-Spyware/malware software

AdAware (www.lavasoftusa.com)– Anti-Spyware software

Cute PDF (www.cutepdf.com)– Free PDF software

Questions?

CONTACT INFORMATIONCONTACT INFORMATION

Anna Edwards

133 W. 6th Street

Casper, WY 82601

(307) 265-2573

[email protected]