Training Classes

Finding the right class requires some research, but you may be surprised at how much is available, ranging from nonprofit-specific courses offered through technology assistance providers, to classes designed for businesses, to online courses. Even if you live in an area with few training centers, you may be surprised to find how many options you have. Below is a list of resources to start your search for the right class. For help deciding on the best class, see

Technology Classes Geared to Nonprofits

Many local nonprofit technical assistance providers offer technology classes specifically for nonprofits. Classes can range from introductory ones (such as an introduction to Windows) to high-level classes (such as database or Web development skills). See the TechFinder Technical Assistance Providers Resource List to find a TA provider organization near you. The following is a short list of sample TA providers that offer classes in San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago and New York:

CompassPoint Nonprofit Services Current Workshops

CompassPoint Nonprofit Services offers a range of technology classes for San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit staff.

HandsNet's Training Center

HandsNet is a Washington DC-based organization that offers hands-on trainings, seminars and customized workshops to DC nonprofits on how to effectively integrate the Internet into your program and policy work.

Fund for the City of New York's (FCNY) Internet Academy and Nonprofit Computer Exchange Training Programs

FCNY offers a range of classes for New York City nonprofits, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

IT Resource Center Course Schedule

Chicago's Information Technology Resource Center offers technology classes to member nonprofits.

Corporate Training Centers

Courses with training centers geared to the corporate sector tend to be much more expensive than those offered through nonprofit technical assistance providers. Through Gifts In Kind International, however, three companies offer a 50 percent discount to nonprofits. To qualify, a nonprofit must pay to become a member of Gifts in Kind. For more information on Gifts in Kind's's training discounts or to register for membership, visit the Gifts in Kind site and click on "To Receive a Donation" in the toolbar on the left. Discounts apply to the following nationwide training companies:

• CompUSA
• New Horizons
• Executrain

Colleges and Universities

If you want an in-depth introduction to a specific topic, and can commit the time for a regular class, a local college can be a great resource. In most cases, you can take a single course at a community college or the extension division of a four-year college or university. Contact the colleges nearest you or look them up on the Web to find their course offerings in technology. A good place to look up technology classes is EduPoint.com, a site with a database of continuing education opportunities nationwide.

Community Technology Centers

Community Technology Centers are local organizations that support equitable access to technology by maintaining computer labs for the use of the community. Many offer training classes to the general public that can serve as good introductions to PC and Macintosh computers, as well as office software. The Community Technology Centers Network maintains an online national database of contact information for more than 350 community technology centers.

Distance Learning

If you live far from training centers, or if you wish to have more control over your schedule, distance learning can be an excellent choice. Distance learning refers to a range of educational opportunities where you interact with a teacher through some electronic medium, such as video or e-mail. For example, you might go to a local school that serves as a distance learning center to watch your teacher on video. The Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits offers an in-depth set of resources on distance learning, including extensive links. For help on searching for distance learning classes, see the Distance Learning Course Finder

Online Classes

Online classes are still little known or utilized, but they are steadily gaining in popularity with the launch of a few high-profile online learning Web sites. A good place to orient yourself to different online learning opportunities is the Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits' collection of links and articles, Online Learning: Methods and Resources. The following is a small selection of sites that offer online courses:

• LearnKey.com offers "Self-paced training solutions for computer users and IT professionals," including CD-ROMs, videos and online courses.
• DigitalThink offers online courses on office applications, desktop publishing, database concepts, Internet literacy, Web programming and other, more technical topics. Courses cost between $100 and $400.
• SmartPlanet.com markets dozens of short online courses in a wide range of computer technologies, ranging from the basic to the highly technical. Some courses are "Instructor-led" and some are "Self-study." Most courses cost between $20 and $30.
• Learn2.com offers over 200 multimedia tutorials over the Internet. Topics include Office 2000, graphic design, Web administration, databases and the Internet. To participate, you purchase a subscription which allows you to access a course for a limited amount of time. Prices range from approximately $10 for one month's access to an introductory course, to $200 and up for six months access to an advanced developers' course.
• Learn the Net offers twelve short tutorials in Internet skills such as e-mail, newsgroups and the Web.

Overwhelmed by the options? For help deciding on the best class, see