There has been much focus on the digital divide and the threat that underserved populations would be left even further behind as the digital revolution changes every aspect of our society. The human services nonprofit organization plays a large role in the dealing with the issues of the underserved communities in our society and play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide. Nonprofits can only fulfill this promise if they themselves have the technology skills and tools to effectively navigate through this new world. The Internet Community Foundation would ensure that nonprofit organizations have these capabilities.

The iCommunityFoundation would use the power and reach of the World Wide Web to revolutionize how citizens engage in philanthropy. iCommunityFoundation would allow human services nonprofits to structure and present requests for technology support on the WWW to a population of “techno-savvy” donors. Through strategic relationships with community foundations and charitable gift funds sponsored by financial services organizations the foundation would supply a qualified set of philanthropic opportunities to a large pool of ready donors.

The iCommunityFoundation could leverage of the technological savvy of organizations like HandsNet, CompuMentor and Compasspoint Nonprofit Services in providing online networks and technology training for the human services community to ensure that the technology requests are well thought out and have the required elements for a high likelihood of success. The foundation would also provide nonprofits with access to the tools and resources required to ensure successful implementation of their proposed projects.

Through a set of easy templates, nonprofits would be able to construct short two page requests for funding. The requests would be categorized by location, type and scope of project, issue area focus of the organization and size of request. Donors would be able to search the database for projects in their local areas or for which they have a natural affinity. iCommunityFoundation would collect the funds and direct it to the designated nonprofit organization.

The infrastructure is in place it’s time for action.

Copyright © Michael Saunders
http://www.HandsNet.org

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