Foundation Center and TechSoup Global Form Strategic Alliance
New York, NY — October 18, 2012. The Foundation Center and TechSoup Global have announced a strategic alliance that will leverage their expertise in data management, analysis, and visualization to unlock the power of information for the social sector worldwide. Together, the two organizations possess sets of nonprofit data that are among the largest in the world. Their extensive and complementary networks of individuals and organizations will facilitate efforts to provide knowledge, training, and tools to help civil society organizations around the world operate more efficiently and increase their impact. The Foundation Center and TechSoup Global are exploring opportunities to co-host events, conduct analysis of their combined data sets, and cross-pollinate content with the aim of sharing knowledge and insights with wider audiences in the sector.
The Foundation Center, based in New York City, strengthens the social sector by advancing knowledge about philanthropy in the U.S. and around the world. Its Foundation Center 2020 plan acknowledges that global networks, a responsive physical and virtual presence, and widespread access to technology solutions are essential to achieving its mission in a rapidly changing information landscape. The Foundation Center provides information through a distributed network of affiliates — in all 50 states and in 14 countries — together with strategic partnerships. The alliance with TechSoup Global is in alignment with the Center's stated priorities to build the global data platform for philanthropy and to connect nonprofits to the resources they need to thrive.
TechSoup Global, headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Warsaw and London, connects nonprofits around the world with vital resources by providing donated technology products and educational resources, and by leading a rapidly expanding network of capacity-building partner nonprofits in 41 countries (projected to be 100 countries by 2015). The TechSoup Global Network partner organizations are key to collaborating on and localizing high-impact technology-capacity-building programs. The network also offers a suite of global data services aimed at improving the transparency and flow of philanthropic resources and data for all social sector contributors including activists, nonprofit staff, volunteers, and donors. The TechSoup Global Network fosters grassroots engagement and action around technology for social good with localized social media platforms, challenges, and face-to-face meetings in 50 cities around the world.
"The TechSoup Global Network, established in 2005, is a proven, effective platform for delivering technology-capacity-building programs to NGOs in 58 countries," said Rebecca Masisak, co-CEO of TechSoup Global. "Expanding our strategic partnerships with key players such as the Foundation Center, which works to provide insight on philanthropic activities and social issues around the world, will allow us to build on the strengths of our network, bring more valuable resources to communities most in need, and help NGOs ‘show themselves' locally and globally."
"The Foundation Center knows that collaboration with other organizations is the most effective way to meet the needs of the social sector," said Bradford Smith, president of the Foundation Center. "The partnership with TechSoup Global is particularly exciting because together we can provide access to more comprehensive tools and information for those working towards social change, helping to turn their goals — such as protecting the environment, advancing human rights, or providing education — into realities."
Cheryl Loe
Communications Project Manager
The Foundation Center
(888) 356-0354 ext. 701
communications@foundationcenter.org
Glenn Hirsch
Communications Manager
TechSoup Global
(415) 633-9403
pr@techsoupglobal.org
About the Foundation Center
Established in 1956, the Foundation Center is the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide. Through data, analysis, and training, it connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to succeed. The Center maintains the most comprehensive database on U.S. and, increasingly, global grantmakers and their grants — a robust, accessible knowledge bank for the sector. It also operates research, education, and training programs designed to advance knowledge of philanthropy at every level. Thousands of people visit the Center's web site each day and are served in its five regional library/learning centers and its network of more than 470 funding information centers located in public libraries, community foundations, and educational institutions nationwide and around the world. For more information, please visit foundationcenter.org or call (212) 620-4230.
About TechSoup Global
TechSoup Global is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise working towards the day when every nonprofit, library, and social benefit organization on the planet has the technology knowledge and resources it needs to operate at its full potential. TechSoup Global was founded in 1987 on the belief that technology is a powerful enabler for social change. Today, it has over 200 employees and an annual budget of US$33.5 million. It operates programs in Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East through a network of independent capacity-building non-governmental organizations. With support of leading technology companies — including Adobe, Cisco, Microsoft, and Symantec — TechSoup Global and its network have reached more than 384,000 organizations, including more than 46,000 organizations outside the United States; distributed more than 10 million technology products; and enabled recipients in 58 countries to save more than US$3.2 billion in IT expenses (as of 8/31/12). For more information about the TechSoup Global Network and its programs visit www.techsoupglobal.org.
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