We’ve curated a list of the best nonprofit IT grants to help you simplify the process of finding and applying for essential funding, whether you’re looking for a small grant for donor management software or a larger grant to upgrade important hardware like computers, servers, and networking equipment. This list is regularly updated to reflect current grant opportunities that will help you where you need it most.
Top Nonprofit IT Grants
When creating this list of the best nonprofit IT grants, we considered what technology would be most useful for nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve. These top IT grants provide different types of technology assistance and have varying eligibility requirements so you can find the grants that best fit your needs.
When going after IT grants, nonprofits need to consider a variety of factors: application deadlines, eligibility criteria, and what initiatives are important to the source. By leveraging these resources effectively, your nonprofit has a higher chance of getting the funding you need for critical technology upgrades that will help your organization operate more efficiently.
Cisco offers grant funding to help nonprofits increase their Internet connectivity, improve IT infrastructure, and implement cybersecurity measures.
Must hold a recognized charitable status and support projects that aid critical human needs, education access, and economic empowerment.
Provide detailed information about your current IT infrastructure and what improvements are needed. Explain how Cisco’s products will directly impact your community.
The Verizon Foundation offers nonprofit IT grants that focus on using technology to enhance education, healthcare, and energy management.
Must be a nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status (or equivalent). Projects should align with Verizon’s core areas of focus. Verizon Foundation grants are by invite only.
Emphasize innovative aspects of your nonprofit, especially where connected to technology. Provide examples of measurable outcomes to clearly demonstrate how you will benefit from this grant.
HP’s grants focus on providing IT skills to individuals and communities around the globe.
Open to nonprofits with missions that support workforce development, education, and community training.
Demonstrate how your project is part of a broader mission to support IT education in your organization and community.
No Deadline / Ongoing
Sources of Nonprofit IT Grants
Nonprofit IT grants are available from a few different sources, each with specific types of support and application requirements. Understanding these sources can help you effectively target your IT grant applications to improve your chances of securing much-needed funding.
Source Type
Details
Specific Sources
Government Agencies
Government agencies offer nonprofit IT grants at both federal and state levels. These sources prioritize strengthening technological infrastructure for initiatives related to health, education, social services, and community development.
Federal agencies like the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Department of Education, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) typically offer technology grants.
Private Foundations
Private foundations also offer technology grants to enable nonprofits to operate more effectively by providing them with important IT solutions. These foundations may fund specific projects or broad initiatives.
Large organizations like the Gates Foundation and the Ford Foundation offer nonprofit IT grants, as well as smaller organizations like the Mozilla Foundation.
Corporate Donors
Corporations in the technology sector often provide grants to nonprofits for technology upgrades such as software licenses, hardware, or training. Sometimes corporations operate foundations that specifically allocate funds to help nonprofits.
Examples of tech companies that offer nonprofit IT grants include Microsoft, Google, Verizon, and IBM.
Community Foundations
Community foundations typically provide funding for nonprofits in a specific geographical area. By applying for funding from local sources, you can increase your odds of securing a grant.
Community foundations often operate at the state, county, or city level, so it’s beneficial to research what grants are available in your specific location.
Nonprofit Technology Networks
There are also organizations specifically dedicated to supporting nonprofit technology needs through grants and subsidies. These groups can help your nonprofit obtain specific technology products and services that will improve your operations.
TechSoup and Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network (NTEN) are two of the most well-known sources of this type.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding platforms can be a great source of IT funding for nonprofits. Organizations set up their own custom campaign describing their project and the funding goal. Crowdfunding often works best when leveraging social media to share campaigns.
Popular platforms for nonprofit crowdfunding include GoFundMe, Kickstarter, and Indiegogo.
Best Practices for Applying to Nonprofit IT Grants
Once you’ve found the best grants for your organization, apply these strategies to give your nonprofit the best change of securing an IT grant:
Consideration
Strategy
How will technology help your organization with its mission?
Clearly explain what technology you need and why it will aid you in fulfilling your nonprofit’s specific mission.
Can you demonstrate need?
Provide a clear and compelling explanation of your technological challenges and how the grant will directly address these issues.
How will this impact your work?
Explain the specific ways an IT grant will help your nonprofit. Be as detailed as possible and connect everything to your goals as an organization.
Can you connect your organization to the grant provider’s priorities?
Grant programs often have priorities such as education, healthcare, or community betterment. Understand the specific priorities of the program you’re applying to, and connect those to your organization’s work.
Do you have a detailed budget?
Have a detailed budget prepared that demonstrates exactly how you will use funding to help with your technology needs. This budget shows that you have a specific plan and will use grant funds responsibly.
Can you provide metrics for success?
Outline specific metrics and projected timelines that you will use to evaluate the effectiveness of the technology investment.
Can you leverage partnerships?
Highlight any partnerships or endorsements with technology providers, other nonprofits, or community organizations that will expand the scope and impact of your project.
Have you reviewed application guidelines?
Carefully review the grant application guidelines and adhere strictly to the format, word counts, and submission deadlines. Double check to make sure you are providing all requested documentation.
Top Ways to Use These Nonprofit IT Grants
Nonprofits can use IT grants in a variety of ways, including upgraded computers and servers, user-friendly online donation platforms, and cybersecurity tools that protect donor records. How you use grant funding will vary dramatically based on the unique needs of your organization. Here are some examples:
1. Upgrading Technology Infrastructure
Technology infrastructure includes hardware like computers, servers, VoIP systems, and networking equipment. These can be especially important if your nonprofit is working with outdated equipment.
Because modern nonprofits rely heavily on internet connectivity for fundraising, outreach, and donation platforms, updating Wi-Fi networks can be a key part of IT grants.
Mobile technology is also an important part of tech infrastructure. Smartphones, tablets, and laptops can be crucial for remote collaboration, mobile campaign events, and organizations that cover a large geographical area.
2. Advanced Software and Systems
Productivity and office software likeMicrosoft 365 is essential for day-to-day operations like analyzing donor data, tracking financials for compliance, and creating presentations.
Data management software can help you keep track of donor information, volunteer databases, and other important data by implementing automated backups and integrated analytics.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software can be indispensable for managing interactions with donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries. CRM systems help you streamline and automate communication efforts to improve engagement and efficiency.
3. Enhanced Data Security and Compliance
Data security systems help protect sensitive donor information and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Important cybersecurity technologies include data encryption, firewalls, antivirus protection, and multi-factor authentication. IT security measures should includeregular, proactive security audits to identify vulnerabilities and keep the system up to date.
Data should be properly handled and stored to maintain compliance with data protection laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
4. Staff Training and Support
The effectiveness of technology relies on the ability of your staff and volunteers to utilize these tools properly.
IT grants can cover training programs and ongoing technical support to ensure that technology doesn’t become a barrier to productivity.
Proper training and support ensure that your systems are scalable as your nonprofit grows, reducing error rates and downtime along the way.
5. Expanding Outreach and Engagement
IT grants can fund the redesign of your website and donor platforms to make them more user-friendly, visually appealing, and mobile-responsive.
Other outreach tools include social media management software such as Hootsuite or Sprout Social, or email marketing systems such as Mailchimp or Constant Contact.
You can also use technology grants to cover content creation tools to help with graphic design or video editing, as well as virtual event platforms to reach a wider, global audience.
6. Supporting Remote Work Capabilities
IT solutions to support remote work are critical to make sure your nonprofit has access to the best staff and volunteers regardless of their location.
Other IT tools that improve remote work efficiency for nonprofits arevideo conferencing tools like Zoom, project management software like Asana, and remote desktop interfaces.
About Tardigrade Technology
To boost your organization’s success through technology, consider partnering with Tardigrade Technology. Our expertise in IT services can help your nonprofit make the most of your budget while maximizing your impact.
We’ve curated a list of the best nonprofit IT grants to help you simplify the process of finding and applying for essential funding, whether you’re looking for a small grant for donor management software or a larger grant to upgrade important hardware like computers, servers, and networking equipment. This list is regularly updated to reflect current grant opportunities that will help you where you need it most.
Top Nonprofit IT Grants
When creating this list of the best nonprofit IT grants, we considered what technology would be most useful for nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve. These top IT grants provide different types of technology assistance and have varying eligibility requirements so you can find the grants that best fit your needs.
When going after IT grants, nonprofits need to consider a variety of factors: application deadlines, eligibility criteria, and what initiatives are important to the source. By leveraging these resources effectively, your nonprofit has a higher chance of getting the funding you need for critical technology upgrades that will help your organization operate more efficiently.
Sources of Nonprofit IT Grants
Nonprofit IT grants are available from a few different sources, each with specific types of support and application requirements. Understanding these sources can help you effectively target your IT grant applications to improve your chances of securing much-needed funding.
Best Practices for Applying to Nonprofit IT Grants
Once you’ve found the best grants for your organization, apply these strategies to give your nonprofit the best change of securing an IT grant:
Top Ways to Use These Nonprofit IT Grants
Nonprofits can use IT grants in a variety of ways, including upgraded computers and servers, user-friendly online donation platforms, and cybersecurity tools that protect donor records. How you use grant funding will vary dramatically based on the unique needs of your organization. Here are some examples:
1. Upgrading Technology Infrastructure
2. Advanced Software and Systems
3. Enhanced Data Security and Compliance
4. Staff Training and Support
5. Expanding Outreach and Engagement
6. Supporting Remote Work Capabilities
About Tardigrade Technology
To boost your organization’s success through technology, consider partnering with Tardigrade Technology. Our expertise in IT services can help your nonprofit make the most of your budget while maximizing your impact.
Learn more about our nonprofit IT services and how we can support your goals.