Lots of times, they do not come with CD-ROMs and there's not much in software that's available on floppies anymore. Then, of course, if you are transferring files via e-mail and working on one level of Word and sending out in another, people can't open it. There's a lot of software problems when you look at old technology. Though the agency's mission focuses on helping provide computers for children, it introduced the discounted sales program to help nonprofits. Nonprofit staff can also take advantage of training at the facility and learn how to build computers so they can serve as an in-house resource when they go back to their own office.
Collaboration saves dollars Some nonprofits have collaborated to cut down on costs.
One strategy involves hiring one IT person to work for four or five agencies, splitting his or her time among the facilities. What's most important is that the nonprofit commit to dedicate a portion of the budget for technology. Lots of nonprofits would love to have dedicated funds for technology, but where to find those dollars is the tough part. Two telecommunications companies have made inroads to helping nonprofits in Western New York find grant funding for technology projects. Grant funding Choice One Communications recently introduced a Community Partners Program aimed at returning 1 percent of company revenues on an annual basis to organizations or programs for technology education, health and human services, and the arts.