A brief introduction to the many different free or low costs tools, programs, software, and more available to nonprofits.

1. Free and Low Cost Tools
for Nonprofits
a brown bag presentation

2. Road Map
• Software donations through TechSoup and Microsoft
• Google for Nonprofits
o Google Apps for Nonprofits (email, calendar, documents)
o Google Grants for AdWords
o Many more...
• Other recommended software
• Resources
• Q&A

3. NPower Northwest
• Vision
o A thriving community with high performing nonprofits.
• Mission
o To strengthen the nonprofit sector by catalyzing innovation and
driving adoption of technology solutions.

4. Introductions
Elissa Thomas Abby Nafziger
HandsOn Tech AmeriCorp VISTA HandsOn Tech AmeriCorp VISTA
Serving at NPower NW Serving at NPower NW
vistastaff@npowernw.org vistastaff@npowernw.org

5. Software donations through TechSoup
• Take this Eligibility Quiz to determine what specific
software discounts are available for your organization.
• Microsoft Software Donation Program gives nonprofits
and libraries volume license products which are handled
through the Volume License Service Center.
• Possible software includes:

6. Software discounts through Microsoft
• Microsoft offers a broad range of software donations for
nonprofits.
• Eligibility are the same requirements as TechSoup, mainly
requires a 501c3 status.
• In addition to Software, Microsoft offers a range of training
opportunities including:
o Free, self-paced, interactive provided by Microsoft E-
Learning (available to Microsoft Software Donation
recipients only)
o Unlimited Potential Community Learning Development
System
o Learn to use Microsoft Office through self-paced online
training

7. All the Google Products

8. Our Favorite Google Products

9. Eligibility for Google for Nonprofits
Organizations must:
• Hold current 501(c)(3) status, as determined by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service
• Acknowledge and agree to the application's required certifications regarding
nondiscrimination and donation receipt and use.
These organizations are NOT eligible:
• Governmental entities and organizations
• Hospitals and health care organizations
• Schools, childcare centers, academic institutions, and universities (philanthropic
arms of educational organizations are eligible). To learn more about Google's
programs for educational institutions, visit Google in Education.
Description of the Application Process
Google reserves the right to grant or deny an organization's application or participation at any time, for any reason, and to
supplement or amend these eligibility guidelines at any time. Selections are made at Google's sole discretion, and are not
subject to external review.

10. Example of Google Grants (AdWords)

11. Google Grants (AdWords)
• Google Grants AdWords accounts have a daily budget
set to $329 dollars, which is equivalent to about
$10,000 per month of advertising on Google.com
• This is a big deal
• Easy to set up, but the more time you spend on it the
better you can fine-tune it and get better results
• At the very least, set it up!

12. Google Apps
• Custom email: ethomas@saveallthecats.org
• Email access through any web browser or smartphone
• Easy to add / delete / manage users
• Instant message, call, or video chat over the internet
with your staff
• View and share calendars
• Google Documents
o Collaborate real time editing word documents
o Spreadsheets (like Excel)
o Presentations (such as this one)
• Free if you have less than 3,000 users
• If this is right for your organization, this can be a game
changer!

13. Google Apps

14. Google Analytics

15. Other recommended tools
Dropbox for file storage
Paint.NET for image editing
OpenOffice for word processing
Zoho Apps as an alternative to Google Apps

16. Summary
• To start using TechSoup, sign up, register your organization,
and submit documents to qualify. Then request donations
• Apply for the Google for Nonprofits program if you'd like:
o Google Grants (AdWords)
o Google Apps (email, calendar, documents)
• Otherwise start using other Google products for free
• Dropbox for small file storage / backups
• Paint.NET for image editing
• Zoho Apps and OpenOffice for word processing, etc.
• There are many, many, many more available tools!

17. Resources
NTEN's Reports
Idealware's Articles & Reports (for example A Few
Good Video-Editing Tools)
TechSoup's Learning Center
NPower Northwest's Knowledge Center
Mixtape Communications' Free Tool Friday

18. Any questions?
Is that it?!
photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/plasticrevolver/164351244/