[act-ma] Pro bono strategic technology consultations for cash-strapped nonprofits with great missions

[Deborah Elizabeth Finn]

Dear ACT-MA Colleagues,

The Data Collaborative would like to support small nonprofit
organizations that need and can use strategic technological planning.
Data Collaborative will underwrite a two-hour planning session for six
different organizations in the Boston area over the next six months.

The Data Collaborative is a software consulting organization that has
been providing data solutions to non-profit and for-profit
organizations nationally and around the world since 1999.

Applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Do they have the human and financial resources to utilize technology?

2. Would they be able to obtain this support on their own, without the
Data Collaborative donation?

3. Do they have specific, achievable goals?

4. Is the organization's mission consistent with the mission of this program?

I will be the strategic consultant sent by the Data Collaborative.
Here's how the consultations themselves work:

*  A typical session kind consists of sitting down with me for an hour
or two, alone or with key members of your nonprofit's team. If you
prepare a list of strategic technology problems, concerns, or
questions in advance, I'm often able to make recommendations on the
spot. During these sessions, I can also walk you through a discussion
that will help clarify how to subordinate your technology
infrastructure to your mission.

*  In many cases, I can recommend products, services, and vendors that
would be a good match for your needs. I do not ever take a commission
on any products and services that I recommend, and will not make any
sales pitches. In every case, my concern will be to ensure that your
information and communications technology is helping you achieve your
organization's programmatic goals.

*  I cannot provide hands-on tech support in these sessions.

*  Your organization will not be under any further obligation - to
follow my advice, or to contract for additional services.

*  After your consultation, I will be available to you by email and
telephone for brief follow up questions. In some cases, I may do
follow up research for you, and report back via email with additional
information and recommendations.

Our goal is to provide you with the greatest possible benefit from a
single session on a pro bono basis, and in almost every case a one or
two hour consultation is all that a small nonprofit needs.

The deadline for applying is October 1st; all applicants will be
notified about whether they are eligible by October 20th.  To apply
for a consultation, please follow this link:
<http://www.datacollaborative.com/NonProfits/donatedService>.

Best regards from Deborah

Deborah Elizabeth Finn
Strategist and Consultant
Technology for the Nonprofit and Philanthropic Sector
Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Email: deborah_elizabeth_finn at post.harvard.edu
Blog: www.deborahelizabethfinn.com
Skype: Deborah909
Twitter: Deborah909
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah909 Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/Deborah.Elizabeth.Finn
Mobile phone: 1-617-504-8188
Voicemail: 1-617-958-1959

I bring resources and needs together for nonprofits and
philanthropies, mostly through strategic use of information and
communication technologies.