Report Title:	Intermediary Profile Report
Report Date:

Organization:	Progressive Technology Project	Program ID Number: I-15
Date Profile Created:	December 1, 2005	Date Profile Last Updated: January 22, 2010

Program Summary:
The 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 grantmakers, 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, grants, and a database called PowerBase, designed for community organizing, 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 grantmaking 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, including the Community Organizing and Technology Institute (COaTI), convenings and presentations.

COaTI is an intensive training program to develop the technical skills of organizers. It involves three three-day sessions on finding and sharing the best ways to use technology in the grassroots community organizing environment. 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.

Convenings on technology and organizing occur periodically to explore the potential of different technologies. Additionally, PTP staff give presentations at conference workshops and speaking engagements on a variety of technology-organizing related topics.

PTP performs self-evaluations on each program and uses written evaluations, including surveys and reports from grantees, along with oral evaluations (from interviews and informal discussions).