| Report Title: |
Intermediary Profile Report |
| Report Date: |
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Organization Name:
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Progressive Technology Project |
Program ID Number: I-115 |
Date Profile Created:
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December 1, 2005 |
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Program Summary:
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Progressive Technology Project (PTP) seeks to raise the scope and scale of technology resources available to grassroots community organizing groups working in poor communities and communities of color for environmental, economic, and social justice. The organization grew from discussions among grassroots organizers and grant makers, responding to the expressed need for new information technology to strengthen the infrastructure of community organizing, followed by a collaborative decision-making process with a planning committee of grassroots organizers, funders, and technology specialists. A significant amount of current funding is from foundations. PTP provides training, technical assistance, downloadable how-to resources, and grants to develop the capacity of grassroots organizing groups through the use of information technology
The Organizing Technology Grants Program helps community organizing groups support and develop strategic uses of technology that strengthen their ability to affect change in their communities and beyond. PTP's granting helps grassroots organizations build the best tools and uses of technology possible, support their use by community leaders and organizing staff, and test them in meaningful experiences so the entire community organizing field can benefit from the results. Groups receiving grant support from PTP have a strong organizational infrastructure; a willingness to spread access, skills, and use of technology broadly; a demonstrated capacity to share information and educate others; and a recognition of their need for technology to assist their organizing campaigns. Selected programs use technology to increase their group's capacity to achieve its organizing goals. Grants can be used for needs assessment, planning, purchasing hardware and software, designing applications, setting up systems, training and support, and other strategic uses.
PTP also offers a number of training opportunities:
(1) The Community Organizing and Technology Institute (COaTI) is an intensive training program to develop the technical skills of organizers. It involves three 3-day sessions on finding and sharing the best ways to use technology in the grassroots community organizing environment, and each participating group receives technical assistance on a technology issue of its choice. By providing case studies and a practical view of technology applications, COaTI is tailored to fit the needs of community-led organizations. Its long-term goal is creation of a community of user experts from community-led organizations who share their skills and knowledge with other organizers working for social and economic justice around the country.
(2) Convenings on technology and organizing occur periodically to explore the potential of different technologies.
(3) Presentations at conference workshops and speaking engagements are given by PTP staff on a variety of technology-organizing related topics.
PTP frequently collaborates on its work with NETCORPS and with the Low Income Network and Communications Project (LINC). It evaluates after each program and has used written evaluations - surveys and reports made by PTP grantees - and oral evaluations (from interviews and informal discussions). | |
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| Address: |
2801 21st Ave S, Ste 132E
Minneapolis, MN 55407 | | |
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| Date Program Began: |
1999 |
Total Funds Awarded by this Program for Most Recent Fiscal Year: |
$50,000 |
| Date Program Scheduled to End: |
N/A |
Total Administrative Expenses for this Program for Most Recent
Fiscal Year: |
$134,795 | |
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| How Capacity-Building Programs are Operated: |
Run internally by the organization. | |
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| Number Staff/Consultants: |
4/1
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Background Materials Available: |
Yes | |
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| Capacity-Building Work Evaluated: |
In Progress |
Evaluation Results Available: |
Yes |
| Frequency of Evaluation: |
Ongoing |
Type of Evaluation: |
Mixed Methodology |
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| Geographic Areas Served: |
National: |
Yes |
International: |
No | |
| |
| Selected States: |
N/A |
| Geographic Details: |
N/A | |
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| Types of Capacity-Building Assistance Offered to Nonprofits: |
| 1. Grants: |
2. Direct Service: |
3. Direct Financial Support: |
| Categorical |
Assessment of service needs
Convening activities
Education/training for groups of nonprofits
Information and referral
Infrastructure for peer networking
Website with capacity-building assistance |
Facilities/Equipment Support | |
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Grants Offered to Capacity-Building Service
Providers and Intermediaries: |
| Support for Services to Nonprofits: |
N/A |
| General Support: |
N/A | | |
| Grants Offered to Support Overall Capacity-Building Infrastructure: |
| National | | |
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| Areas of Nonprofit Operations Supported: |
How Funding/Service Decisions Are Made: |
Administration & finance
Facilities management
Staff development & training
Information & technology support
Planning
Evaluation
Communication (internal & external) |
Application by potential recipient – organization selection. | |
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| Copyright © 2005 Human Interaction Research Institute www.humaninteract.org |