TechSoup, the nonprofit network facilitating distribution of technology solutions to civil society organizations globally, launched the COVID-19 Response Fund to help grassroots nonprofits make critical technology investments while continuing to serve the most vulnerable communities through the crisis and into the future.
Through the Response Fund, TechSoup will underwrite technology hardware and tools, training and services from its growing list of resources, with a particular focus on supporting small organizations that provide social services. Several companies, including VMware and Microsoft Corp., foundations such as the Funders 2025 Fund, and individuals have donated to the fund.
“As a nonprofit network operating in 236 countries and territories, we’ve heard from NGOs around the world that COVID-19 is placing unprecedented demands on their operations, just as they are needed most,” said TechSoup CEO Rebecca Masisak. “We are grateful for the generosity of individuals and companies that are rallying to support civil society organizations on the frontlines of the crisis.”
“Nonprofits need to rapidly make technology decisions that will help them to manage through the coronavirus crisis,” added Marnie Webb, chief community impact officer for TechSoup. “The TechSoup COVID-19 Response Fund will enable us to scale up services, online courses, and consulting to organizations that don’t have in-house tech support – ensuring their digital transition and ability to keep serving their communities.”
The fund launch comes as TechSoup has seen unprecedented engagement with nonprofits – from a surge in visitors to websites across the network, to increased engagement with outbound newsletters and a change in technology acquisition patterns.
In addition to making new products available to nonprofits, TechSoup is hosting virtual workshops on managing the impact of COVID-19 on nonprofits. These workshops cover tools, strategies, and resources to help nonprofits manage remote workers. TechSoup’s COVID-19 Forum is an online message board dedicated to nonprofit topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information, go to https://www.techsoup.org/
