Software Products |
Security |
Online Fundraising |
|
Database Tools & Event Management/Registration |
CMS/Web Presence tools |
Email/Listserv/Web hosting |
ISPs |
Network |
|
Hardware |
Project/Staff/Board (Collaboration) Management |
Telecommunications |
Staffing & Support |
Training |
GIS/Mapping |
Summary of Resources
Software Products
TechSoup Stock
Online Free Applications
- Google Apps - Shared documents, Calendar, Spreadsheets, Gmail, Groups
- Yahoo - Instant Messenger, Mail, Calendar, Groups
- Others: Glide, iNetWord, ThinkFree, Zoho
Shareware & Freeware
- VersionTracker (Software downloads, reviews and updates for all types of commercial software, shareware and freeware for Macintosh, Windows and Palm.)
- ZDNet
Surveying
Other Resources/Articles:
Security
Description
Precautions to keep your hardware, software and data safe and secure.
Checklist
- firewalls
- data backups
- anti-virus/spam/malware
- physical security
Tools
(Free
downloads and other donated
products on TechSoup)
- Ad-Aware 2007 (removes adware and spyware, free)
- Spybot Search & Destroy (detects and removes adware and malware, checks your system against a comprehensive database of adware and other system invaders, cleans program and Web-usage tracks, and offers an online-update feature, free)
- Norton Personal Firewall 2006 hides a computer from hackers, detects and blocks malicious intrusions, and prevents attacks through security holes)
- Norton 360 (protects against online threats and includes tools for tuning up systems and backing up data)
Other Resources/Articles
Online Fundraising
Checklist
- How do online donations fit into your overall strategy? Is it the only way you will fundraise or part of a bigger picture?
- What kind of volume do you expect?
- Do you want to set up a merchant account?
- How tightly does it need to integrate with your site?
- How are you going to use the donation data?
Tools
Other Resources/Articles
Database Tools & Event Management/Registration
How to choose an information management tool
- Define Your Needs: Write out how you do the work you do. Then fill in the places where you gather and use information
- Prioritize Needs: What part(s) of information management are the most painful, have the fewest decent workarounds? Do these first.
- Determine Your Capacity: Ballpark $$ and human resources to make sure you do not break the bank
- Talk to Colleagues: How have they solved the problems you faced? What research have they done?
- Evaluate Solutions: Start with prebuilt systems, if nothing meets your needs then consider customization?
How are databases delivered?
- Prebuilt: Ready to use systems: more finished, less configurable (time to deployment short, cost low, fit imperfect)
- Frameworks: Almost ready to use: configure/customize on core features to finish (time to deployment medium, cost medium, fit better)
- Custom: Not ready to use: you define it, they build it (time to deployment long, cost high, fit best)
Tools
CRM "Frameworks":
- Salesforce.com: Focuses on tracking people, their roles and interactions with your organization. 10 Licenses free for qualified 501c3 nonprofits. Lots of configurable extras. Larger, more complex system, not a simple contact manager.
- FreeCRM.com: Free versions and fee versions. A clunkier version of Salesforce, but you can get going right away.
- Metrix/ebase: Free desktop software with limited support, very configurable but can be time consuming to learn and use effectively.
Donor Systems:
- Giftworks: $199/license. Really easy to use system for donor management, desktop/PC only.
- eTapestry: Online donor management system. Free for the first 500 contacts, then prices go up from there. Supports the "Benevon" model of fundraising. Just purchased by Blackbaud, look for changes over the next year. Great for folks with smaller donor lists, may be too expensive for folks with larger lists.
Registration Systems:
Other Resources/Articles
A Few Good RSVP Tools
CMS/Web Presence tools
Checklist
- What do you need your site for? An online brochure? Building Community? Advocacy? Know the purpose of your site and choose features that support this purpose.
- Make a list of your FEATURE needs, and then prioritize. Remember that you can not have it all!
- Make a list of your ADMINISTRATIVE needs, and the prioritize. Remember that you can not have it all!
- Have a budget. Know what it is, and know that some features may not be available for your budget.
- How will you staff your site? Is it a volunteer? A board member? The whole staff? One staff person? Who, how, and how often you need to update your site needs to be taken into consideration.
CMS
BLOGS
Resources
Email/Listserv/Web hosting
Email Checklist
Web Design
- Depends on expertise
- Custom Design - Nonprofit recommendations
- DOCUMENT EVERYTHING - volunteer web designers leave and you can't update the site
- Who updates site?
- Maintainable
Web hosting tools
Marketing
- Newsletters: Check out Idealware's article
- GroupMail: Non-profit and academic discount available as of summer 2007.
Listservs/eNewsletters
Advertising
- Google: Advertising donation program for non-profits in the US and internationally.
Social Networking Sites
Online Printers
Other Resources/Articles
ISPs
Internet Service Providers
ISP Checklist
- Bandwidth guaranteed
- Static IPs
- Domain names
- Configure router
- Allow protocols (file sharing, etc.)
- Telephone support
- Web-based administration
Tools
- Pair.com - web hosting
- laughing squid - email and web host
- electricembers.com - listserv host
- thinkhost.com - Green web hosting
- sonic.net - DSL, "Business T"
Additional Resources
Bandwidth Meter speed test:
http://reviews.cnet.com/7004-7254_7-0.html
Broadband Internet Access Service Providers
http://www.broadbandinfo.com/
Choosing the Best Internet Connection
Non Profit ISP help
Web Hosting
"Recommended web hosting companies" thread on TechSoup Forums
Network
Brief Description
A network is two or more computers connected to each other so they can share resources. The Internet is a "network of networks," whereby anyone -- from an individual at a home with a PC to a large corporate multidepartment system -- can freely and easily exchange information.
Checklist:
What type of network do you need: peer-to-peer network or client-server network
- Consider WiFi instead of wiring
- Find wiring installers who work with nonprofits, especially private contractors
- Get permission from landlord before wiring
- Security & firewall
- Allow staff to access the server remotely with a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Tools
- Healthy & Secure Computing
- Techfinder
Articles/Toolkits
Forums/Discussion Boards
Online wiring resource thread on TechSoup Forums
Hardware
Checklist
- Needs assessment - graphics? Office?
- Double the standard RAM
- Remove unwanted bloatware
- Warranty - worth it?
- Replacement in 3-4 years
- Flat-screen = Green
- Printers - networked; Laser; Inkjet $$$$ for ink
- Backups
Used or reconditioned sources
- Craigslist - recent equipment, good for years
- Goodwill
- TechSoup Stock
- Apple NPO discount - Mac Minis for $550
Additional Resources
Project/Staff/Board (Collaboration) Management
Basecamp
Google Docs/Calendar
WebEx
GoToMeeting
Vyew
Telecommunications
- skype
- voip
- ReadyTalk on TSS
- Instant Messaging
- Instant messaging: yahoo/AIM/GAIM
http://www.freeconference.com/
Staffing & Support
Checklist
- What's the right way to staff your project? Is it a one-time project suitable for a volunteer or a long-term commitment hat might be better for a staff person or consultant?
- What skills do you need? How will you evaluate people's skills?
- Have you clearly articulated what you think you need?
- Be prepared to hear from a volunteer, consultant, or staffer that your project may need to change.
- Who will manage the volunteer, consultant, or staffer?
- Document deliverables, timelines and budgets to all involved.
Resources (consultants)
techunderground.org
techfinder.org
Craigslist
dealist.org
NTEN Affinity Groups (
http://groups.nten.org)
Resources (staff)
Craigslist
Idealist.org
NTEN Affinity Groups (
http://groups.nten.org)
Resources (volunteers)
Taproot
VolunteerMatch
Craigslist
Idealist.org
NTEN Affinity Groups (
http://groups.nten.org)
Resources (general)
NTEN IT Staffing Report:
http://www.nten.org/research/itstaffing
Training
- Goodwill Free Learning
- Compasspoint
- Infopeople
- Webjunction
- NTEN Webinars
- NTEN Member Discounts
- TechSoup Stock
GIS/Mapping
Checklist
- Define the problem to address through GIS/Mapping
- Identify the data required to inform the problem, and whether/how you can get it
- Depth of Analysis (Mapping vs GIS): Do you need to visualize this data only, or analyze it, or both?
- Review available mapping and GIS software solutions against your requirements and infrastructure
Tools
google maps/earth:
http://maps.google.com |
http://earth.google.com
Neighborhood Knowledge California: Map your neighborhood in California using this online Mapping/GIS tool:
http://nkca.ucla.edu
Social Source Commons GIS Toolkit: A terrific annotated list of GIS and Mapping software/services with a nonprofit focus:
http://www.socialsourcecommons.org/toolkit/show/485
Resources
Why GIS? Intro to what it is, why it is useful.
http://maps2.humaninet.org/why-gis/
Community Mapping Best Practices and Software Listings:
http://www.policylink.org/Research/Mapping/default.html
Summary of Resources
- TechSoup Stock
- Free Download Section of TechSoup
- NTEN
- Idealware
- YNPN
Idealware.org
Idealware provides candid Consumer-Reports-style reviews and articles about software of interest to nonprofits, centralized into a website.
http://idealware.org
SocialSource Commons
Social Source Commons is a place to share lists of software tools that you already use, gain knowledge and support, and discover new tools
http://socialsourcecommons.org/
Use the Web to Find Free Tech Support
Resources to help your nonprofit solve its technology problems
http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/internet/page5722.cfm
Three Free, Easy Ways to Add a Calendar to Your Web Site
Keep your visitors informed about upcoming events
http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/webbuilding/page6690.cfm
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