TechSoup for the SoulTechSoup Canada was launched yesterday at the Center for Social Innovation in Toronto.
Developed from of the oldest and most respected technology assistance agencies in the US, TechSoup Canada is a collaborative effort by the Centre for Social Innovation, TechSoup Global and the Information Technology Association of Canada. This initiative is made possible by a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.. More on TechSoup after the break.
CompuMentor, the predecessor of TechSoup, was founded in 1987 as The CompuMentor Projectis a non-profit that provides technology assistance internationally to other non-profit organizations. Based in San Francisco, TechSoup Global offers a wide range of programs and services that help nonprofits and schools use technology to achieve their missions. TechSoup.org, a technology website for the nonprofit sector and TechSoup Stock, a technology product philanthropy service for nonprofits.
The features and benefits offered by TechSoup Canada to its member non-profit organizations include:
* Local and regional technology learning events
* New Canadian-specific technology resources and learning content
* More opportunities to interact on / off-line with other Canadian tech-curious organizations
* Ability to process Donated Products Program admin fees in Canadian Dollars rather than US Dollars
TechSoup Global is a technology resource provider and distributor of donated software--saving the global not for profit sector millions of dollars annually. TechSoup Global currently serves organizations in 21 countries, with an additional 18 countries expected to join the network by June 2009.
TechSoup Canada is the Canadian partner of TechSoup Global. Many nonprofits and social benefit organizations worldwide serve the needs of low-income, underserved populations and create positive social change. We believe these organizations could have even greater impact through the appropriate use of technology. This requires assistance with obtaining, using, and sustaining technology.
In an innovative strategic partnership, Microsoft, TechSoup Global, and others are developing a global technology platform for the voluntary sector. As part of their commitment to the this sector, corporations such as Microsoft, Symantec, Adobe and Cisco use this platform to provide donations, at scale, to worthy organizations around the globe.
Recipient organizations benefit from the consolidation of many donation programs into one, and further benefit from the wide range of training, collaboration, and support provided by TechSoup Global and its partner organizations.
