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.:Resource Guides:Technology-Mini-profiles
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Technology
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Mini-profiles
The organizations that have full profiles have hopefully given you a good insight into the world of technology nonprofits. These mini-profiles offer a brief glance at the diversity offered by this nonprofit sector.
Benetech - Based in Palo Alto, California, Benetech provides a variety of community services, including their popular Bookshare.org Web site.
GreenInfo Network - The GreenInfo Network is a good example of an organization that works with specialized equipment and skills.
PeopleTech - PeopleTech is one of a number of organizations that works to provide computers and other equipment to underprivileged families.
| What makes the issue your organization tries to address so important? |
BT: Many technologies have compelling social applications that are not developed because such efforts do not meet investors' financial expectations. We bridge the gap between possibility and profitability,
developing technology projects addressing major social problems in areas such as disability, human rights, literacy, education and the digital divide.
GN: Mapping provides great power for public interest groups to use in better defining their issues, targeting their program focus, making their case to the public and tracking their success. GIS (geographic information systems) is very
challenging technology and usually requires the use of an intermediary to make it work well - that's what we do.
PT: We are trying to address the issue of communication and democracy. We believe that communication is vital in a true democracy, vital to all of us in the U.S. and the world. Usage of the Internet can and probably will become a
'revolution' in communication. However, currently we need certain hardware, software and a 'line' connecting to the World Wide Web.
PT: Because of certain economic conditions, there are those who cannot afford to purchase and maintain their link (see Digital Divide). Peopletech gets computers and free or 'low-cost' carriers into the homes of underprivileged/disabled
children. We work with various nonprofit and for-profit organizations to: a) Identify where the computers are and b) Those children that need computers in their homes (based on grades, attitude, desire, need, etc.). At the same time, the components of computers
are quite toxic. We try to link with solid waste concerns before they are discarded anywhere. And if they are discarded, then done properly.
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| How does your group differ from other technology nonprofits? |
BT: Our purpose is to use the high technology enterprise model to address pressing social problems. Focusing on social return on investment, we create innovative, non-traditional solutions to major social
problems. Each of these projects is expected to reach financial break-even after its initial phase with the objective of delivering the greatest social return while remaining financially viable. This ensures that the products and services we deliver are
sustainable for the long term.
GN: 1) We focus just on GIS and related spatial/information technology;
2) We have special expertise in communications (message definition and cartographic design to fit) that are hard to find, even in the commercial sector.
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| What are some long-term successes your organization has had in this area? |
BT: In 1989, our predecessor organization, Arkenstone, was founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to provide reading tools for people with disabilities. For over a decade, Arkenstone delivered these tools to over 40,000
individuals in 60 countries. The sale of the Arkenstone business operations in 2000 to a for-profit company provided the initial capital to launch Benetech.
GN: We were started in 1996 and had maybe 10-15 groups that we supported in our first two years. We now have seven full-time GIS staff and regularly support 30-50 groups at a time with approximately 200-300 mapping projects per year. Our
success is through our clients.
PT: We haven't been around that long yet, just two years. We have given over $200,000 in computers and peripherals away so far, but we have a long way to go.
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| What type of people would you tell to look into working for an organization like this? |
GN: Highly motivated and very skilled computer technologists who love map making and geographic analysis. To sit at a computer for 6-8 hours a day and grind spatial information and maps, dealing with the very
complex and cranky GIS software, takes strong commitment. But more than that baseline is the ability to focus on client groups' true needs and help them see in ways they may not start off with.
PT: Probably have to be a little idealistic, good awareness about oneself, able to give of your wisdom, have patience and not expect great monetary reward.
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| Are there any drawbacks to working for an organization like yours, or working on an issue like the one your group deals with? |
GN: Consulting groups always have the problem of not being primarily involved in the issues they support and that can be frustrating. Also, pushing computers for hours a day can pose serious health risks (RSI
chief among them).
PT: See above for monetary reward. We believe our issue is broad enough to include those that are the least bit discontent or perhaps would like to see their children and grandchildren have it a little better and safer than we all feel now.
One drawback might be your patience being constantly questioned and going a little insane.
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| Does your organization use virtual volunteering? If yes, how? |
BT: Yes, our Bookshare.org online library for people with visual and reading disabilities has over 200 volunteers, most of whom are off-site. They scan and submit books, which are then checked by staff and
volunteers at our Palo Alto, CA headquarters.
GN: Not really - we require very specialized skills that really only come from being here, plus access to our rather large (over half a tera-byte) file structure. We sometimes do work with people who are distant from us, but they are almost
always skilled.
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Contact:
GreenInfo Network
Ira Reschman from PeopleTech
Jane Simchuk or Brendan Nyhan from Benetech.
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