TechSoup Receives United Way of the Bay Area Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - December 17, 2007 - San Francisco technology assistance provider TechSoup announced it has received a grant from United Way of the Bay Area, which it will use to help Bay Area nonprofits strengthen their technology infrastructure. The grant supports TechSoup’s Healthy and Secure Computing Program (HSC), an initiative that equips small- to medium-sized nonprofits with the resources they need to build and maintain a secure technology infrastructure.

Historically, nonprofits have had to make do with limited resources to fulfill their missions. By giving nonprofits the tools to develop and maintain a secure technology infrastructure, the HSC training provided via the grant enables these groups to use technology to more effectively leverage those resources.

“HSC reaches out to the ‘accidental techies’ at nonprofits, understanding that these individuals are often the most computer-savvy members of their organizations.” said Lea Policoff, Director, Healthy and Secure Computing Program. “With the United Way grant, we are able to give them a solid understanding of the basic tasks required to keep systems running, reliable, and safe from viruses and other threats.”

Thanks to the UWBA grant, participating nonprofits will receive education about Healthy and Secure Computing best practices via free in-person training and an online webinar, expedited access to TechSoup’s donated technology products through a dedicated account manager, and a voucher to apply toward hardware and software from TechSoup Stock.

“United Way and TechSoup have a long history of collaborating to help nonprofits harness technology as a tool to better achieve their missions,” said Allison Sparks, program officer at United Way of the Bay Area. “This latest grant to TechSoup ensures that community groups not only get a solid understanding of how to keep their computer systems running efficiently, it also helps them acquire any missing components.”

About TechSoup

Founded in 1987 as CompuMentor, TechSoup helps nonprofits globally get and use technology to heighten their impact. Through its Web sites, events, and community-building initiatives, TechSoup also helps companies and foundations optimize their philanthropic impact. Its flagship TechSoup Web site is widely recognized as a trusted nonprofit technology resource. About 350,000 unique monthly visitors request product donations from major technology companies; read articles helping them make better technology decisions; and share their challenges and solutions with a community of peers. The Healthy & Secure Computing (HSC) program provides core guidelines and methodology to help nonprofits support their technology infrastructure. HSC’s services include online materials, downloadable workbooks, community forums, and targeted hands-on training.

About United Way of the Bay Area

United Way of the Bay Area (UWBA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to community impact. Our mission is to be the catalyst that enables people to strengthen their communities by investing in one another. Through the Bay Area Community Fund, United Way supports more than 250 local programs that fight poverty and create opportunities for children, youth, families and neighborhoods to thrive. In San Francisco, 2-1-1 is an easy to remember phone number operated by UWBA that connects people in need—as well as individuals seeking to give—with community services. United Way’s introduction of 2-1-1 in San Francisco is the first step in plans to promote and establish 2-1-1 service throughout the Bay Area. For more information, visit www.uwba.org.