John Kenyon, Nonprofit Technology Strategist

When I talk to non-technical nonprofit managers, too few are aware of the differences between open source and proprietary software. Most are about as interested in how software is built as they are in knowing the formulas used by desktop printers to translate data into a printed page -- not at all. They just want it to work.

In my work with nonprofits and their tool providers, I see many spend thousands more than they need to on software, especially on database/constituent relationship management (CRM) software, rather than choosing open source software.

While open source software is a great concept, people don't just relate to concepts, people relate to people. To this end I would like to see more of a human "face" put on our open source software developer community. After all, most of the people who make open source software for nonprofits do it to make your life easier in support of achieving your mission. They could be making much higher salaries in private industry; some aren’t even paid at all. While often portrayed as pale, anti-social "geeks" working in basements and living off junk food, like all stereotypes, this is false. Here is just one example.

Dave Greenberg has worked in the nonprofit sector as Psychiatric Counselor in a Community Mental Health clinic, and has a Masters degree in Social Work. He also has experience engineering/developing large software systems for the electronic commerce and banking industries. Combining his skills and values, he is now part of the international core development team for CiviCRM, the built-for-nonprofit open source CRM software.

I was fortunate to work with Dave at Groundspring.org and more recently on the CiviCRM online documentation project. I talked to him about his work with open source software.

Q: How did you first start working with nonprofits?

A: I have a long history of working in and with nonprofits. I was a co-founder of a non-profit community center / performing arts space in Portland, Oregon in the 70's and spent several years working as a psychiatric counselor in a community mental health clinic while earning my Masters degree in Social Work. I've also done volunteer work for several gay services organizations.

Working at Groundspring.org provided me the wonderful opportunity of combining my interest in helping civic sector organizations with my technical skills - and helping to create and develop CiviCRM has allowed me to continue on that path.

Q: What got you into open source software?

A: Until I started work on CiviCRM - my entire frame of reference was proprietary and closed software applications. However, the open source model seemed to be a logical choice for nonprofit / NGO software - as it removes the licensing obstacle and promotes cross-sector collaboration and leveraging of investments.

Q: What do you like about the open source model?

A: I think the transparency and collaborative work approach results in a better product in the long run. On a personal level I find the engagement with our community of users to be intellectually stimulating and rewarding. Seeing folks with expertise in a particular area step up and contribute their time and ideas to help improve the product is quite exciting.

Q: You could be making a much higher salary working in the for-profit sector, why work for nonprofits?

A: I want my work to have value beyond generating profits for shareholders.

Q: What positive impacts have you seen open source software have on organizations?

A: Organizations need to evaluate any technical "solution" based on fit to their resources and requirements. "Open source" software in general (and CiviCRM specifically) have true costs despite the lack of licensing fees. That said, open source projects like CiviCRM can provide efficiencies in data management, improved access to data across the organization and help increase constituent engagement.

Q. What would you like nonprofits to know about open source?

A: Implementing an open source solution requires a commitment of resources (it's not really "free"). Some of this effort is the same as what would be required for any business process automation (i.e. using proprietary software / tools). But getting the most out of an open source tool means engaging in the community of users - moving the project forward by helping with testing, documentation, assisting other users, specifying and sponsoring enhancements and new features. The great thing is that this investment winds up coming back to the organization multiplied many times.

Q: What do you like about being part of the CiviCRM project & core development team?

A: Every time I hear about a new interesting organization starting to use CiviCRM, I get a renewed sense of excitement about our work. The range of nonprofits currently using the software is quite amazing to me - from large international advocacy organizations to local performing arts troupes. I also really enjoy interacting with our internationally distributed team - building friendships and getting to share culture (food, music, humor ....) with my colleagues in India and Poland.

Thanks to Dave for taking the time to share his thoughts and to all of the open source developers out there working to make better tools for the nonprofit sector.

Have you hugged an open source developer today?

Dave Greenberg Biography

Dave Greenberg has 25+ years of experience in the application software, electronic commerce and banking industries. Prior to joining Social Source Foundation, Mr. Greenberg was a senior consultant to Groundspring.org where he lead the product design effort for their online donation and email broadcast services, as well as the customer billing systems.

Dave is a co-founder of two successful for-profit ventures. North Tower Technologies provides web application and eCommerce engineering services to a variety of industries. Past clients have included Intel, Hewlett Packard, International Asset Systems, and Redpoint Ventures.

Prior to North Tower, Dave co-founded MAXXUS, Inc. in 1985 where he served as Vice President for Product Development (MAXXUS was acquired by Sterling Commerce in 1995). At MAXXUS, he directed the development and delivery of a suite of electronic commerce, EDI and cash management products which were licensed to 400+ banks nationwide for use by their commercial customers. Dave managed the product design, software engineering, quality assurance and professional consulting teams.

Prior to MAXXUS, Mr. Greenberg managed the technical training functions at Hibernia Bancshares Corporation. At Hibernia he was responsible for development and delivery of end-user training programs in all areas of banking operations, including branch systems, ATM and credit card operations, and CICS. Dave also has worked in the non-profit sector as Psychiatric Counselor in a Community Mental Health clinic, and has a Masters degree in Social Work.