TechOutreach

You probably know that technology should help you cultivate relationships with your clients, communities, members, funders, and other audiences more effectively. But like others, you may find the decisions overwhelming and wonder how to add the management of a technology initiative to your many other responsibilities.

TechOutreach is a comprehensive program that supports nonprofits in using technology to improve their communications and outreach efforts. Through peer-learning workshops and individual consultations, TechOutreach provides participants with exposure to new technologies and ideas, and guides them in creating technology plans that are tied to organizational strategies. Then, through a competitive process, organizations can apply for seed funds to implement their project.

One TechOutreach participant reported:

“We learned how we can use technology as a tool to further our human, community, or environmental goals. We also learned about some amazingly innovative tools for doing this, from blogging to CRMs specifically targeted to activism. The focus was kept on how our unique missions could be supported, or hindered by the proper or incorrect technology.”

TechOutreach Participants Receive:

• An orientation session
• A telephone pre-assessment of technology and communications capacity
• A team of students who will help your organization complete TechOutreach assignments
• Five one-half day workshops scheduled every two to three weeks. Workshops will feature lessons, activities and tools to help you:
  1. Establish measurable communication goals, target audiences and likely methods for reaching those audiences
  2. Survey the pros and cons of various technology tools that support communications and select the tools that are right for your organization
  3. Understand how to plan for, measure, and manage a technology project in your organization
  4. Develop a strategy and corresponding budget that will guide your organization’s implementation activities and can be used in funding requests
• An individual program consultation from CCTS staff with each participating organization to review plans/progress

But gaining new knowledge and skills without a chance to use them is a frustrating experience. So TechOutreach provides opportunities for participants to apply for funding to implement their project plans.

In the spring of 2006, the Baltimore Community Foundation, the Goldseker Foundation and the Wm. G. Baker Fund sponsored eight local nonprofits’ participation in TechOutreach.

If you would like us to notify you when registration for the next TechOutreach begins, contact us.

Get in touch

Do you have questions? Comments? We’d love to hear from you.
email: ccts@ubalt.edu
phone: (410) 837-6741