Grants for Non-Profits:  Computer Technology

A compilation of web pages and books of potential interest to nonprofit organizations seeking funding opportunities related to computer technology.

Doc says, "I culled the following list of phrases from the entries that make up the bulk of this page.  Reading this list will go a long way towards explaining what grantors are looking for (you will notice that education and community enrichment are 2 hot buttons)."

Web Sites

AOL Time Warner Foundation http://www.aoltimewarnerfoundation.org/
The AOL Time Warner Foundation is dedicated to using the power of media, communications, and information technology to serve the public interest and strengthen society. Rather than simply providing grant monies or funding unsolicited requests, the foundation prefers to enter into strategic partnerships with organizations that have a demonstrated commitment to pioneering innovative ways of meeting its four priorities: Equipping Kids for the 21st Century; Extending Internet Benefits to All; Engaging Communities in the Arts; and Empowering Citizens and Civic Participation

AT&T Foundation http://www.att.com/giving/
The AT&T Foundation supports education programs that focus on the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning. Through the AT&T Learning Network (http://www.att.com/learningnetwork/) as well as direct grants, the foundation concentrates on the role of technology in education and its capacity to connect students, teachers, classrooms, institutions, and communities. Grant guidelines and application information are available online.

AT&T Foundation Grants http://www.att.com/learningnetwork/foundation.html
The AT&T Foundation awards competitive AT&T Learning Network grants to projects that use technology to enhance teaching and learning. Grants focus on education and training programs for current and future teachers, curriculum development and delivery, and collaborative efforts to provide access to education and technology. Grant proposals are solicited by invitation.

Benton Foundation Funders Supportive of Communications Technology http://www.benton.org/Practice/Toolkit/techmoney.html
Provides web links to a number of resources providing information on technology funding such as CompuMentor, Environmental Support Center, Gates Center for Technology Access, and Computers for Kids. Funders are divided into the following categories: hardware and software, in-kind donations, and hard cash. August 1, 2001.

Cisco Systems Inc. Philanthropy and Community Giving http://www.cisco.com/en/US/about/ac48/about_cisco_community_and_philanthropy_home.html
Based on the company's core values of education, leveraging technology, and the involvement of employees, Cisco Systems pursues its philanthropic goals through three initiatives: Workforce development, with a focus on investments in technology and training that help people develop skills to enter or re-enter today's workforce; Partner-ships with nonprofits that give them access to technology solutions; Helping employees to become successful volunteers and informed philanthropists.

Community Technology Center's Network http://www.ctcnet.org/
"We are a national, non-profit membership organization of more than one thousand independent community technology centers where people get free or low-cost access to computers and computer-related technology, such as the Internet, together with learning opportunities that encourage exploration and discovery". If you dig within this web page, you can find a list of computer donation programs.

Compumentor's TechSoup http://www.techsoup.org/
A one-stop resource for anything and everything having to do with technology created expressly for nonprofits. TechSoup, a new service from CompuMentor, promises to offer nonprofits clear, non-commercial recommendations for the best places to acquire donated or discounted software; equipment; advice on technology funding; technology planning; computer training; and listings of volunteers and consultants available to assist them.

Exworthy Educational Links Grants, Funding, and Donations http://www.exworthy.com
Find educational technology grants, e-rate updates and forms, grant applications, grant writing guides, and hardware purchasing/donation information at these links. Courtesy of two schoolteachers from the Los Angeles California United School District.

Foundation Center RFP Bulletin: Science/Technology http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_science.jhtml
The RFP (Request for Proposals) Bulletin is published weekly by the Foundation Center. Each RFP listing provides a brief overview of a current funding opportunity offered by a foundation or other grant making organization. Interested applicants should read the full RFP at the grant maker's Web site or contact the grant maker directly for complete program guidelines and eligibility requirements before submitting a proposal to that grant maker.

Funders Supportive of Communications Technology http://www.benton.org/Practice/Toolkit/techmoney.html
Although we generally don't suggest fundraising specifically for technology, it can be helpful to know where to go when you need support for a technology-focused initiative. This collection of funding information and nonprofit support opportunities with a national scope will help your organization get the technology resources it needs. Benton Foundation.

Gates Foundation (Bill and Melinda) http://www.gatesfoundation.org/
Bill and Melinda Gates hope to make an enduring contribution toward increasing access to innovations in education, technology, and global health. More than seventeen billion dollars in endowments have been set aside for these causes.

Helping.Org's Guide to Technology Funding http://www.helping.org/nonprofit/grants.adp
A directory of government, corporate, and private funders supported the spread of computer technology. Helping.Org is sponsored by the American Online Foundation. Also listed under Education.

Hewlett-Packard Philanthropy http://h21030.www2.hp.com/
HP is recognized as a philanthropic leader among global corporations. In 2002, HP contributed more than $62 million in resources worldwide to advance the ability of students, teachers, community residents and nonprofits to solve some of their most fundamental challenges. Consistent with this vision, our Philanthropy and Education programs are today focusing the majority of our resources on developing and supporting programs and partnerships that promote educational opportunity and e-Inclusion for people in underserved communities in the U.S. and around the world.

Intel Corporate Contributions Program http://www.intel.com/community/
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, makes direct charitable contributions to nonprofit organizations in the form of donated equipment and products, fellowships and scholarship funds, general/operating support, program development, research, and technical assistance. Visit the Intel Web site to learn more about the company's philanthropic activities by community and country.

Microsoft Corporation Community Affairs http://www.microsoft.com/giving/
Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft makes grants of cash, software, and technical support to nonprofit organizations worldwide in order to help bring the benefits of information technology to people and communities, provide support to organizations in communities in which its employees live and work, and support its employees taking an active role in their community through volunteer and matching-gift programs.

NEC Foundation of America http://www.necfoundation.org/
Makes cash grants to nonprofit organizations and programs with national reach and impact in one or both of the following arenas: science and technology education, principally at the secondary level, and/or the application of technology to assist people with disabilities.

Real Networks Grant Program http://www.realgiving.org/
Deadlines (pre-application letter): February 1, August 1, annually. The brand new Real Networks Foundation, created by Seattle-based streaming media company RealNetworks, has released application guidelines for its grant making programs. The foundation will consider requests that enable alternative voices or foster the right of free speech throughout the world, broaden access to technology among underserved communities throughout the world, and enhance the quality of life in areas where RealNetworks' employees live and work. In particular, the foundation wishes to fund proposals within the aforementioned program areas that include an innovative use of the Internet to achieve project goals. In general, the foundation seeks one-year grant proposals in the range of $10,000-$75,000. Application guidelines and eligibility requirements are available online. Contact: RealNetworks Foundation, 2601 Elliott Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121; Tel: (206) 892-6644; Fax: (206) 956-8249.

SBC Foundation http://www.sbc.com/corporate_citizenship/0,5931,7,00.html
The SBC Foundation, the charitable giving arm of telecommunications giant SBC Communications, places primary emphasis on supporting education programs and initiatives that help increase access to information technologies; broaden technology training and skills development; and effectively integrate new technologies to enhance education and economic development -- especially for underserved populations. The foundation also supports scholarship funds directed to students in technology-oriented academic tracks; and to minorities, at-risk students, and other students with special needs.

SBC Foundation Excelerator Project http://www.sbc.com/community/sbc_foundation/sbc_excelerator/0,5931,58,00.html
In 2002, more than 400 organizations received SBC Excelerator grants. This year, SBC Excelerator will provide an additional $8.5 million in regional competitive grants to help nonprofit organizations fully integrate technology into their ongoing operations and community outreach. SBC Excelerator funds projects that build the technology infrastructure of nonprofits, enabling them to increase their organizational effectiveness and/or service capability in areas such as: Internet access, data networking, online outreach, staff technology capacity and pooled technology resources. For more information, visit www.sbc.com/foundation.

Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) http://www.ntia.doc.gov/top
The TOP program funded by the Department of Commerce offers matching grants to state, local, and tribal governments and nonprofit entities that demonstrate innovative uses of digital network technologies. TOP projects address specific challenges and realize opportunities for change in such areas as lifelong learning, community and economic development, government and public services, safety, health, culture, and the arts. For more information contact: Stephen J. Downs, 202-482-2048, fax 202-501-5136, email: sdowns@ntia.doc.gov.

Verizon Foundation http://foundation.verizon.com/
The Verizon Foundation is committed to supporting programs and projects that create innovative e-solutions, help bridge the digital divide, foster basic and computer literacy and help enrich our communities, educate our citizens and create a skilled workforce. The Verizon Foundation looks to forge and maintain partnerships around technology initiatives with local, regional, national and international organizations serving the needs of racial and ethnic communities, people with disabilities, and the economically and socially disadvantaged. Formed by the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE. Note program providing nonprofits funding for web access.

Books

COMPUTER GRANTS DIRECTORY. San Francisco CA: Public Management Institute, 1991. 4th edition, 318pp. QA76.215 .C658 The most complete guide to computer-related giving by all major funding sources. Contains in-depth profiles of the current programs of 200 corporations, foundations, and government agencies and lists over 750 sample grants totaling more than $100 million in computer support.

DIRECTORY OF BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT GRANTS. Loxahatchee FL: Research Grant Guides, 1999. 5th edition, 184pp. HG4027.65 .D568 Lists over 800 funding sources for nonprofit organization' seeking building, renovation, and equipment grants. Also includes essays on "Steps for Writing Proposals and Winning Grants" and "Proposal Writing Basics". Keep latest three editions in Funding Center Collection; earlier editions may circulate.

DIRECTORY OF COMPUTER AND HIGH TECHNOLOGY GRANTS. Loxahatchee FL: Research Grant Guides, 1999. 4th edition, 180pp. QA76 .D57 Accessibility of computers has changed the landscape of the nonprofit enterprise. Their speed and efficiency are essential for donor record maintenance, project planning, and proposal preparation. This publication lists over 750 foundations, corporations, and federal agencies that grant funds to nonprofit organizations. Also contains the following essay: "Proposal Writing Basics".

GRANTS FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. New York NY: Foundation Center, 2000.
Note: 2000/2001, 1st edition received. T58.5 .G73 2000/2001. Covers grants to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and abroad for programs including: engineering and technology research and services; computer science; data processing; telephone, telegraph, and telecommunication services; electronic messaging, including the Internet or World Wide Web (WWW), e-mail, and interactive television and video; and computer systems and equipment, including hardware, software, CD-ROMs, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and other automated, digital, multimedia, or on-line systems.

NATIONAL GUIDE TO FUNDING FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. New York NY: Foundation Center, May 1999. 2nd edition, 292pp. T58.5 .N37 ed.2 This new volume provides essential facts on over 700 foundations and corporate direct giving programs that award grants to projects involving information technology. The guide also includes useful descriptions of over 2,400 recently awarded grants for computer science, engineering and technology, telecommunications, and media and communications.