Technology grants for nonprofits: all you need to know

Picture this: You’re sitting in a board meeting, and the conversation keeps getting derailed by the usual issues. There is confusion over document versions, scheduling conflicts and clunky processes that seem to eat up more time than they save.

You know there has to be a better way, but with limited funds and competing priorities, upgrading your board management tools feels like a pipe dream. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. For nonprofits, staying efficient and mission-focused often means doing more with less.

But here’s the good news: technology grants could be the ticket to getting the software your board needs to operate smarter, not harder. We have researched technology grants for nonprofits, how to find them and how they can transform the way your board gets work done.

What can a technology grant do for your nonprofit?

Technology grants can provide a funding source you can use to develop your current technology infrastructure or enhance it, and they are one of the very important types of grants every organization should be pursuing. Depending on the technology grant, you may be able to use it to purchase new software or hardware or expand on what you have.

Beyond supporting your current board management and governance infrastructure, some technology grants also help support your nonprofit’s mission in other ways, such as providing funds for digital learning or transformation that may benefit your board.

Upgrading your nonprofit’s technology with board management software not only helps you operate more efficiently — it also positions your organization alongside other forward-thinking nonprofits and can pave the way for increased donor engagement and contributions.

As the HHS.gov website points out, “When it comes to technology grant-making, funders often say, ‘Never lead with the technology.’ But at the same time, it is the appropriate application of technology that will determine the successful implementation of a grant.” This highlights the importance of focusing on how technology will be used to achieve the nonprofit’s mission rather than just the technology itself. Using grants to cover a board software investment

A critical tool for nonprofit success is a board management solution. It offers a single, shared place for the board, staff and other stakeholders to collaborate, share information and forward the organization’s mission.

Specifically, the board management solution helps:

• Increase organizational efficiency and transparency, including simplifying workflows around budgeting and grant applications and providing a single source of truth for grant-related reporting.
• Maintain compliance with evolving regulatory requirements and assist with required audits by establishing a digital trail for related work.
• Demonstrate strong governance and cybersecurity (which some grants now require as a funding condition).
• Help manage committees and working groups to collaborate efficiently.
• Better engage board members and set them up for success to add value to their board role.

Where and how to find technology grants

You can start looking for technology grants in the same places as other grants from governments, foundations and corporations. A good place to find technology grants is GrantWatch, a U.S.-based grant listing directory that features tens of thousands of grant opportunities, including grants for Canada and international locations.

Be aware that some grantmakers are not open to inquiries or applications. Certain grantors favor seeking out the types of organizations they choose to fund. That said, many grantors outline an application process that nonprofits must go through before being awarded a technology grant.

Technology grants for nonprofits by region and country

Americas

United States

Change Happens Foundation. This family-based foundation focuses on progressive and secular social change with a specific interest in environmental science, education and human services. They accept grant applications on a rolling basis.

Cisco Product Grant Program. Cisco offers up to $50,000 in networking and communication technology. The program supports nonprofits focused on education, crisis response and economic empowerment. Board management software qualifies under productivity and collaboration tools.

Mazda Foundation. The Mazda Foundation awards grants to nonprofits located in markets where it has offices, with a focus on causes that support education and literacy, environmental conservation, cross-cultural understanding, social welfare and scientific research. Grants are by invitation only.

Microsoft Nonprofit Tech Acceleration. Nonprofits that focus on underserved communities can access grants, discounts and expertise to increase their technological access.

The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation. The foundation recently dedicated $73.5 million in grants for 144 nonprofits and other organizations that are developing products, platforms and policies to show AI’s potential to serve the greater good.

Salesforce Foundation. This well-known company offers grants to education nonprofits and school districts for workforce-readiness programs for students. Grants are by invitation only. Nonprofits also receive products and other resources either free or at a discounted rate.

Tech Forward Technology Innovation Awards. Nonprofits can receive $10,000 grants providing for the implementation of technology to advance their missions. Twilio.org Impact Fund. Digital Innovation Grants provide funding to build the technical capacity of nonprofits worldwide and address common nonprofit hurdles, such as lack of technical talent and fast, flexible funding.

U.S. General Services Administration — Computers for Learning. This program does not offer funds for technology, but nonprofits may be able to get excess computer equipment from federal agencies to educate children. Recipients must pay for shipping and handling costs.

Verizon Foundation. Nonprofits with work focused on digital inclusion, climate protection and human prosperity are candidates for a Verizon Foundation grant. Applications are by invitation only, but nonprofits can contact the local community relations manager to inquire about eligibility.

The Westinghouse Charitable Giving Program. Nonprofits interested in improving STEM area knowledge and literacy in children and others may qualify for a technology grant with Westinghouse. Grants may also be awarded to nonprofits that need to advance technology to enhance green initiatives.

Canada

AWS Imagine Grant – Canada. AWS awards up to $75,000 in funding and $25,000 in AWS credits for cloud-based tech projects. It’s a fit for nonprofits implementing board portals hosted on AWS.

Europe

United Kingdom

IT4Good Grants Programme. The WCIT Charity grants up to £15,000 for IT projects including apps, analytics and governance platforms.

Ireland

AWS Imagine Grant – Ireland. Similar to Canada’s program, AWS offers funding and credits for Irish nonprofits using cloud-based governance tools.

Switzerland

Swiss Foundation for Solidarity in Tourism. Grants support digital transformation in tourism-related nonprofits. Board software may qualify if tied to governance or strategic planning.

Middle East

UAE

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award. Awards support tech innovation in sustainability. Board software may qualify as part of governance infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia

Sulaiman Bin Abdulaziz Al Rajhi Foundation. Grants are made for nonprofit tech infrastructure and organizational development, including governance platforms.

Bahrain

RIPE NCC Community Projects Fund. Grants support digital infrastructure and community tech projects.

Africa

South Africa

DGMT Foundation. The foundation funds innovative nonprofit projects with a tech component, including governance and board tools.

Technology Development Fund (DTIC). Grants support tech development from concept to prototype. BoardEffect may qualify under organizational tools.

Nigeria

HP Nigeria Nonprofit Grants. HP Nigeria awarded $200,000+ in tech grants to nonprofits for digital transformation, including governance tools.

A technology grant that supports your board helps your organization. While there are plenty of technology available, there is also plenty of competition for them. A well-thought-out application that shows how the grant will help boost processes and operations is more likely to succeed.

Steps to consider when applying for funding

Many grant-seeking processes can be complex and benefit from careful organization and attention to detail.

1. Ensure you have a clearly articulated mission and that your nonprofit status is up-to-date.
2. Before applying for a technology grant, research the guidelines and make sure your organization qualifies for them. Read the terms and conditions of each grant carefully and be sure to meet the parameters.
3. Looking at past recipients to help ensure you are targeting the right foundations and other grantmaking bodies.
4. Develop a system for storing documentation, setting reminders and tracking deadlines for each grant.
5. Talk to your software vendor or potential vendor to get accurate costs for the technology you want to adopt.

Using your board management solution for grant pursuits

And if you do already have your board management software in place and are looking at other grant applications to further improve process and digitally transform your organization, BoardEffect is well-suited to managing grant-funding efforts in a number of key ways:

• The document library is a centralized, searchable, organized repository for application and supporting documents. After receiving a grant, nonprofit staff can collect materials required for reporting to the granting organization and make the information available to reviewers using granular permissions.
• Project and approval workflows allow numerous contributors to play a role in the development of the grant materials and adhering to deadlines.
• Secure workrooms create a place for teams to discuss and collaborate on grant-seeking efforts.

Discover ways that nonprofits and mission-driven organizations have used BoardEffect to strengthen their work.

A technology grant may not cover your goals fully, but it may help take your nonprofit to the next level of efficiency. BoardEffect is a powerful tool to support your grant-seeking efforts as well as all the board’s and staff’s work in fulfilling your mission. Contact us today for a demo to see all the ways BoardEffect can help your nonprofit.