Nonprofit technology comprises information and communication technologies that support the goals of nonprofit, nongovernmental, third sector, grassroots, and other mission-based organizations.

The professional association for this field is N-TEN (Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network). Practitioners are sometimes known as eRiders or circuit riders, or more broadly as NTAPs (nonprofit technology assistance providers).

Some of the work of nonprofits is done in communities or regions that are negatively affected by the digital divide. This usually results in a number of very creative solutions.

Many nonprofits are under-funded but rich in ingenuity, which often leads to the deployment of open-source solutions. Another advantage of open-source solutions is that creativity permeates the organization, making the normal business model much different than in businesses. Open-source products can often be modified to fit these creative business models around the world.

See also

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Related terms

• Capacity building
• Community informatics
• Community technology center
• Dirk Award
• Electronic advocacy
• Information and Communication Technologies for Development
• Nonprofit informatics
• NTAP (Nonprofit technology assistance provider)
• Strategic technology planning
• Super-Rider
• Cyber-Yenta

Related groups and projects

• 501 Tech Clubs
• Boston Technobabes
• CryptoRights Foundation (CRF), see HighFire below
• Del.icio.us nptech tagging project
• Digital Divide Network
• eRider Network
• Helpalot
• Information Systems Forum
• Katrina PeopleFinder Project
• Nonprofit Blog Exchange
• Nonprofit Emerging Technology Exchange
• Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network
• Org Webmasters

External links

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Nonprofit projects

Incorporated and unincorporated NPOs. 501c3 charity where noted.

• Aspiration 501c3
• BytesForAll Readers
• BytesForAll.net
• BytesForAll.org
• Capaciteria 1000+ free, peer reviewed and categorized capacity support resources for nonprofits
• CODN (LightSys; Potter's Ministries; each 501c3)
• CompuMentor 501c3
• Consultant Commons
• DemocracyInAction.org
• eRider Network
• Grassroots.Org
• HighFire Project (CryptoRights Foundation) 501c3
• Human Service Information Technology Applications
• Information Systems Forum
• Innovation Funders Network (IFN)
• IT Resource Center
• Netsquared
• Nonprofit Blog Exchange
• Nonprofit Informatics Research Group (NIRG)
• Nonprofit Open Source Initiative (NOSI)
• NPower
• NPTech Community
• Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network (NTEN) 501c3
• NPtech tagging project (del.icio.us)
• Riders News
• Riders Talk
• Riders Tech
• Technology Affinity Group (Council On Foundations)
• TechFoundation
• TechSoup.org

Sponsored projects

Individuals or commercial/for-profit organizations.

• Campaign Engine by Media Mezcla - Comprehensive, easy-to-use software for nonprofit fundraising, database management, email broadcast, and more
• Community TechKnowledge - Web-based Case Management and Outcomes Solutions Software
• Confluence - Providing IT Support to Nonprofits
• Convio, Inc - Software and Services for Nonprofit Fundraising, Advocacy and Online Marketing
• Data-Scribe - Providing technology and communications strategies for nonprofits and associations
• Firstgiving - Online Fundraising Pages for Individuals, Nonprofits and Events
• Nonprofit Technology - Tips for choosing the right service provider
• Solution Works - Technology Providers for Non Profits
• Summit Collaborative
• Technology for the Nonprofit and Philanthropic Sector

Projects with unknown sponsorship

• Management Information Exchange - Improving Information - Information Systems

References

• Jonathan Peizer (2005) The Dynamics of Technology for Social Change, Understanding the Factors that Influence Results: Lessons Learned from the Field - ISBN 0-595-37274-0.

• Deborah Elizabeth Finn 'When we say "technology," we mean "information and communication technology"'

Nonprofit technology