Why is it so hard for nonprofits to effectively use technology and what can we do about it? The California-based research outfit PolicyLink sets out to answers these questions in their report “Bridging the Innovation Divide: An Agenda for Disseminating Technology Innovations within the Nonprofit Sector”.

Co-authored by NTEN board member Randal Pincket of BTC Partners, the report looks at twelve case studies in order to answer the following questions:

1. What are the causes of the innovation divide?

2. How and why do nonprofit organizations adopt new technology innovations and assimilate them into their work?

3. What can be done to speed up the diffusion of innovations within the nonprofit sector?

The case studies explore the development, adoption and diffusion of technological innovations in the nonprofit sector. After exploring the successes and challenges faced by these nonprofits, PolicyLink sets out a five point agenda to help nonprofits make better use of information and communications technologies:

1. Establish new federal, state, philanthropic, and corporate funding programs to develop and disseminate technology innovations within the nonprofit sector.

2. Create forums and intermediaries—at the local and national levels—to facilitate the adoption and dissemination of technology innovations.

3. Support universal service reforms that enable nonprofits to gain broadband access to best take advantage of ICT innovations.

4. Create forums for learning from the private sector about the adoption and use of new ICTs.

5. Establish standards and mechanisms for data sharing and interoperability.

Clearly funding and information sharing play a large role in addressing our sector’s technology needs. We here at NTEN are fully bought into this agenda in our strategic goals for our work and for the sector. Learn more about PolcyLink’s agenda, and how you can be a part of the solution, by reading the report.