Does your nonprofit need better technology? Wish you had the latest version of that pricey software? Or sturdier hardware? NPower recommends TechSoup’s product donation program as a great resource.

Learn more about TechSoup’s product donation program and how to get started with a free webinar on Thursday, June 10, 11 a.m. Pacific time. Join TechSoup, get registered, learn what it means to be qualified and eligible for different donation and discount programs, and start requesting donations.

This webinar will walk you through all the steps of getting started and help you get on your way to low-cost, high-quality technology to help your organization run smoother and meet your mission. This webinar is best for people brand new to TechSoup or whose organization may be registered but are just not sure how to get started. TechSoup’s donation programs are open to eligible nonprofits and public libraries.

Register now!

The Confluence Gallery and Art Center has flourished since 1988 as a hub of the arts community in Twisp, Washington. The nonprofit gallery holds seven group and individual exhibits each year, showcasing the work of local and regional artists from North Central Washington. Special exhibitions draw from farther afield, highlighting noteworthy artists from the Pacific Northwest.

As participants in NPower’s statewide training and technology support program funded through the Greater Everett Community Foundation in 2008 and 2009, Confluence Gallery completed a Stable and Secure Assessment which pointed to a severe need to upgrade aging hardware. NPower consultants assisted Gallery staff in selecting a new desktop system, provided funds to cover the purchase (thank you GECF!), and procured software donations (Microsoft Windows and Office — thank you Microsoft!) to support key accounting and grant writing functions. In an “extreme makeover” story, Executive Director Sybil Macapia says Confluence Gallery is now in a much stronger position to support the administrative needs of the organization, and recently procured a much-needed grant that she links directly to the availability of that single new computer system.

Congratulations, Confluence staff! And thank you to the Greater Everett Community Foundation, Microsoft and our other supporters who make miracles like this one possible for nonprofits in Washington state.

The City of Seattle Department of Information Technology is now accepting applications for the Bill Wright Technology Matching Fund. Grants of up to $20,000 are available from a total fund of $300,000. The deadline is Monday, March 8 at 5:00pm.

The Technology Matching Fund provides funds for digital inclusion projects located in Seattle, serving Seattle residents. The goals of the fund are 1) to increase technology literacy and access; 2) to provide residents with access to computers, the Internet and other information technology; and 3) to increase residents’ use of technology for community problem solving, civic engagement and community building.

You are invited to attend an upcoming information session to learn more about the application process, grant requirements, and what makes a successful application Interpretation services will be provided for you upon request.

Grant Information Sessions:

Wednesday, Feb 3rd
Delridge Community Center
4501 Delridge Way SW 98106
10:30am - 12:00pm

Saturday, Feb 6th
Miller Community Center
330 19th Ave. E 98112
10:30am - 12:00pm

Download grant applications and guidelines at www.seattle.gov/tech  or contact Delia Burke, Technology Matching Fund Manager, at 206-233-2751 or delia.burke@seattle.gov for more information.

For those in need of some retail therapy, below are some new product offerings from TechSoup:

• Flip Video Bundle: Two Flip Video Ultra U1120 120-minute white camcorders and one Flip Video tripod for $175.  Limit of five (5) product bundles per TechSoup fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).
• Maxtor External Hard Drive: Maxtor OneTouch II FireWire 800 Edition 200-GB external hard drive with FireWire or USB interfaces for $25.  Limit of two (2) hard drives per TechSoup fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).

Check out the TechSoup Stock website for more product donations.

Happy weekend …