Online Course - How to Get Your Technology Funded: Tips from Grantmakers
This is a series of three webinars, each from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM:
Tuesday, February 7
Tuesday, February 14
Tuesday, February 21
Nonprofit Connect is pleased to partner with Idealware to present this online course. Registration is directly with IdealWare. Use the code NPCONNECT at registration to access your Nonprofit Connect member price.
Imagine doing your job without a computer or any software. Ridiculous, right? Yet many funders overlook technology. The result is a nonprofit sector that is slowed down by outdated and ineffective tools.
But there’s hope. Funders aren’t against technology—they just want to know that investing in your technology needs will lead to better outcomes. That’s why we’re offering this three-part course. We want to show you how to convince funders that your tech projects matter so that you have the tools you need to do your best work.
During this course, you’ll hear directly from funders about what they look for in a technology proposal and what it takes to make your technology needs stand out. We'll start out by helping you set the stage for funding your project by zeroing in on your potential funders. Then you’ll get the chance to ask our panel of grantmakers your own questions during a moderated discussion. And we'll wrap up by talking about the practical steps for moving forward and getting the funding you deserve, including how to contextualize your project to show how important it is to your organization, how to budget for future technology, and additional details that go into writing a strong proposal.
Course Schedule
All sessions take place Tuesdays at 11:00 AM Central and last for 60 minutes.
February 7: Setting the Stage for Funding
We’ll start by helping you sort out your funding options to identify the best opportunities for technology funding. Would your current foundation funders be a good fit? Would corporations? What about other major donors? You’ll then hear from the experts—actual funding decision makers—who will explain how technology projects can support their goals as philanthropic organizations.
February 14: Ask a Funder
Through a moderated discussion, we’ll ask your biggest questions directly to several grantmaking professionals who frequently evaluate technology proposals. Participants will be able to submit their questions in advance and our moderator will ask as many as possible during the 60-minute session. Sample questions might include:
- What makes a technology proposal stand out from others?
- What issues do you see over and over?
- What makes your non-techie colleagues react positively or negatively toward a technology proposal?
- If you had one piece of advice to someone seeking funding for a technology project, what would it be?
February 21: Defining the Details for a Strong Proposal
Once you’ve gotten advice from grantmakers, how should you proactively move forward? We'll talk about what details need to be included in a strong technology proposal, including how to frame your project, how to connect your project to your larger mission, how to draft a budget, and how to think through where this project fits within your larger technology ecosystem.
Please register with the email address where you would like to receive the access code and dial-in information for the online seminar. All registered participants are granted access to the recordings of each session. Participants who cannot attend any of the sessions due to scheduling conflicts will still have access to the course presentation decks and handouts.
About the Presenter
Sarah Beaulieu, Advisor and Consultant
Sarah Beaulieu has extensive experience in fundraising, communications, strategic partnerships and organizational strategy. She is currently Senior Advisor to the GreenLight Fund, and serves as a coach, consultant, and trainer to leaders and nonprofits. Previously, Sarah was the Senior Advisor to the Opportunity Nation campaign, leading on strategic partnerships and developing, supporting and executing the campaign’s key priorities. Prior to that, she was the Vice President for Organizational Strategy and Development at Be the Change, Inc. and held senior fundraising positions at University of Massachusetts Foundation, Boston College and Brown University. Sarah serves on the board of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and is a national advocate and voice on the issue of sexual violence. She graduated from Brown University and has an MBA from Boston College. Sarah lives in Boston with her husband and two children.
Panelists
To be announced soon!
About Idealware
Idealware, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides thoroughly researched, impartial and accessible resources about technology to help nonprofits make smart technology decisions.
Date and Time
Tuesday Feb 21, 2017
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location
Your desk! Access instructions will be provided by Idealware after registration.
Fees/Admission
$95 - Use discount code NPCONNECT at registration
Website
Contact Information
Tomomi Summers
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