Its programme already connects more than 90 technology companies with 700,000 non-profit organisations (NPOs) in over 100 countries, which has resulted in the transfer of 15.9 million donations and total savings of US $5.5bn since inception. NPOs in every corner of Africa can now harness the profound power of technology for greater impact.
"The launch is a pivotal step in helping the world's estimated 10 million NPOs gain visibility and connect with support critically needed for their missions and communities. The platform, operated in partnership with the TechSoup Global Network, enables a unique capacity for innovation and the co-design of locally relevant, globally scaled programmes that strengthen impact on the ground," states Rebecca Masisak, chief executive officer of TechSoup.
Initially only offering many popular Microsoft software products, the new platform will soon include products and solutions from other technology partners.
"We are thrilled to support TechSoup and expand our non-profit technology offerings to NPOs around the world," says Jane Meseck, director of Technology for Good at Microsoft. "Technology can be a powerful force that empowers them to achieve more for the people and communities they serve."
TechSoup provides the transformative technology solutions, the digital platforms and the in-person experiences that enables NPOs to work together toward a more equitable world. It complements the contributions of its corporate partners by offering NPOs related educational resources such as webinars and peer-to-peer events and other value-added services to help meet their unique technology requirements.
The platform is built on a unique combination of human and technical capabilities. It operates around a comprehensive set of legal definitions, determining what it means to be a NPO in each country around the world. The TechSoup Global Network is the backbone of this global offering, with each of its 63 global partners being a leading civil society capacity-building organisation in its region.
"From covering only four countries, we are now in a position to provide technology products and solutions to NPOs in 54 countries across the continent. It is a game-changer for NPOs in Africa and provides us with a very unique opportunity to strengthen their technology capacity and infrastructure in an affordable and informed manner," remarks David Barnard, VP: Africa at TechSoup. "In time, it will also be a mechanism to introduce NPOs in Africa and beyond to the emerging and vibrant African technology sector."
TechSoup's partner organisations in Africa include SANGONeT in South Africa and the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) in Kenya.
For more information, go to www.techsoup.global.
