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Plan IT – Leveraging IT for the Greater Good October 2017 – February 2018

Corporate sponsors of Plan IT increase the productivity and effectiveness of nonprofit

organizations by improving their use of technology

Why is Plan IT important?

What is Plan IT?

Plan IT is at the heart of 501 Commons’ ZaptheGap campaign, which is closing the gap in nonprofits’ access

to technology. During Plan IT, nonprofits work with two volunteer consultants for four months to assess

their use of technology and develop a blueprint for improvements. By improving how nonprofits use

technology, Plan IT enhances services that benefit people, families, and communities. Each of the 14 Plan IT

participating nonprofits receive $19,600 in services and resources. In total, the program delivers $274,400 in

value to a diverse cohort of nonprofit organizations.

Why is it needed?

Nonprofits in our state are tackling problems like social/racial injustice, hunger, and youth suicide, and

enhancing our communities’ economic development, environmental health, and cultural life. However, they

are working with severely inadequate technology. Like for-profit start-ups, nonprofits have a vision and a

passion for creating something powerful that meets a need; however most funding available to nonprofits

can only be used for program expenses. As a result, nonprofits have limited funds for technology planning, IT

infrastructure, databases, tech training, and cloud-based applications.

Sponsors make the difference

501 Commons is seeking corporate sponsors to sustain Plan IT. Since 2012, this program has benefited 100

organizations. Plan IT developed as a part of a national program funded by Google. Since 2014, Microsoft

has been the primary sponsor.

A Proven Model for Success

During Plan IT, a 3-member team from each participating nonprofit works with two volunteer consultants

with technology and facilitation skills. The consultants facilitate a structured planning process:

Assess ID Key Issues Develop

Plan Transform use of IT

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501 Commons technology staff members provide ongoing support and coaching to the volunteer consultants.

Staff review the reports prepared by the teams to ensure that the analysis and recommendations are sound.

Participating nonprofits meet four times as a cohort. These gatherings enable program participants to learn

from each other, as well as from experts that provide relevant training. Plan IT volunteer consultants and

nonprofit teams meet 5 times, during the October 2017 – February 2018 Plan IT session, to accomplish the

following:

1. Conduct a standardized assessment of the organization’s technology infrastructure and utilization

2. Prepare a written key issues report based upon the findings of the assessment

3. Devise an action plan for using technology more effectively to advance the organization’s mission

4. Take action to implement the plan

Results

Organizations completing the Plan IT program report the following results.

About 501 Commons

501 Commons increases the performance of nonprofits so they more effectively serve the individuals,

families, and communities that depend upon them. Our exemplary HR, finance, and IT services; customized

management and technology consulting; and capacity building programs strengthen social sector

organizations. Nonprofit professionals become better leaders through the learning, coaching, and strategic

guidance provided by 501 Commons. Additionally, our free personalized assistance, referrals to vetted

consultants, and robust online resources help organizations access the expertise needed to advance their

missions.

Plan IT | Your Corporate Support Needed

Sponsoring Plan IT is an easy—and a very high value—addition to your company’s philanthropy and

employee volunteer programs. The Plan IT session will engage 11 to 14 nonprofits.

Understand IT strengths & weaknesses

Action Plan that addresses challenges

Improved staff & volunteer efficiency

More efficient use of technology

Greater effectiveness benefits more

people, families & communities

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We are seeking Scholarship Sponsors and Program Partners to support the engagement of the participating

nonprofits. Companies can opt to recruit qualified volunteers from amongst their employees to be Plan IT

consultants. 501 Commons will select volunteer consultants for positions not filled by employees from

participating companies.

The Value of Plan IT is a Trifecta!

Corporations Win Nonprofits Win Employees Win (optional) Impactful CSR engagement

Outstanding ROI for CSR funds

A broad array of brand promotion

Sponsors can engage employees in brand advancement (optional)

Turnkey opportunity with proven results

Builds/enhances employee leadership & coaching skills

Validation of corporate values

Improves the communities in which employees live by enhancing nonprofit performance

Provide service to greater numbers of people, families, & communities

Learn a streamlined planning process

Learn about technology

Optimize use of available equipment & software

Recruit & retain tech-savvy staff

Reduce staff burnout and turnover by increasing productivity & resolving chronic problems

Receive a $500 grant

Exercise talents & sharpen professional skills for career advancement

Learn about planning & consulting processes

Experience emotional & intellectual growth

“Give back to the community,” demonstrate gratitude, & practice empathy

Meet new people & practice interpersonal communication & active listening

Interact with skilled volunteers from other companies & in other fields

An Outstanding Philanthropic Investment Opportunity

Your company can participate several ways in Plan IT:

OPTION 1 – Scholarship | 3 Choices | $6,000 to sponsor a participating nonprofit

Choice A – Selective Adoption: Select one or more nonprofits from your current Puget Sound Area

partners or grantees to join Plan IT. 501 Commons can assist in determining which nonprofits would

likely realize a greater ROI from, and are better suited for Plan IT.

Choice B – Twinning: 501 Commons selects an organization with a mission that aligns with your

company’s philanthropic priorities or interests.

Choice C – No matching. Your generosity supports the success of the entire enterprise.

OPTION 2 – Program Partner | 3 Levels

Pooled Program Partner donations will underwrite the participation of prequalified nonprofit organizations.

$3,600 Wizard $2,500 Wild Card $1,000 Scrum Master

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Schedule

Nonprofit organizations operating within the counties of King, Pierce, and Walla Walla, are prospects for the

upcoming two Plan IT cohorts that will occur October 2017 through February 2018:

Volunteer consultant recruiting begins in May 2017

Launches in October 2017

Concludes in February 2018

The Techtacular Graduation & Awards Luncheon involving Sponsors, Partners, volunteer

consultants, and participating nonprofit staff occurs in February 2018.

Benefit Descriptions

Techtacular Celebration Luncheon Reservations

The 501 Commons Board of Directors and Technology Leadership Council will host the Techtacular

Graduation & Awards Luncheon in February 2018.

Scholarship Sponsors and Program Partners are encouraged to celebrate the successes of the Plan IT

program and the graduating Plan IT class by attending the Techtacular Graduation & Awards Luncheon. The

preceding Sponsor & Partner Benefits matrix details the number of reservations available to underwriting

organizations based upon support levels.

Major Business Periodical Thank You Ads

Exposing your company’s generosity toward Plan IT to the readers of both the Puget Sound Business Journal

and Seattle Business magazine will increase the ROI of the CSR and Marketing dollars invested in Plan IT. An

expression of 501 Commons’ gratitude, displaying appropriately sized logos of Plan IT sponsors, will be in

2/3-page Seattle Business ad and a 1/4-page Puget Sound Business Journal ad.

501 Commons e-Newsletters and e-Mail

Two e-newsletters and a quarterly printed bulletin reach more than 8,000 readers:

Nonprofit Nexus for nonprofit professionals throughout Washington and beyond

The Leader is distributed to 530+ Executive Service Corps members

VIP Bulletin is mailed to 501 Commons donors

Social Media Postings

The 501 Commons communications team will report on sponsor generosity and involvement in Social Media

through posting on our blog, The Commons, as well as on 501 Commons’ Facebook, LinkedIn pages and our

technology-focused Twitter account.

Press Releases

Press releases about the program will be transmitted to local press organizations (e.g. The Seattle Times,

Post-Intelligencer, GeekWire) and national IT-related periodicals prior to the launch of the Plan IT session,

and in advance of the graduation. Sponsor and Partner names will be included.

Website Logo Recognition

Nonprofit volunteers, donors, and professionals from throughout Washington, across the United States, and

around the world, visited the 501 Commons website more than 113,000 times in 2016. Sponsor and Partner

logos will appear on an honor roll linked to the homepage, as well as in the logo carousel viewed by all

website visitors.

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Graduation Pictures

A professional photographer will be on hand, during the Techtacular Graduation & Awards Luncheon, to take

pictures of sponsor representatives posing with the nonprofit team that benefitted from the company’s

scholarship, and that feature the sponsor’s logo. Plan IT underwriters will receive the photographs for use in

their newsletters and websites.

E-Mail Signature Block Message & Link

501 Commons staff sends hundreds of messages each day to current and prospective nonprofit clients,

Directory Partners, community stakeholders, and donors. E-mail messages will feature a Plan IT logo and a

message about its sponsors and partners that links to the webpage honor roll.

Nonprofit and Volunteer Requirements

This feature is optional. Corporate underwriters are not required to provide skilled volunteer consultant

candidates.

Participating organizations must:

Be an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit, providing non-discriminatory programming

Provide 2-3 staff and board members to participate in the 4-month action-learning program.

Commit each participants to spend 6-8 hours per month on the program

Agree to complete the program and submit an evaluation to 501 Commons

Volunteer Consultants must commit to the following:

Be accepted as an Executive Service Corps member

Volunteer 10 to 12 hours per month for four months

Be attentive to the process and deadlines established by 501 Commons

Demonstrate patience, understanding, active listening, and leadership

Facilitate the Plan IT process with nonprofit participants

Stay in regular contact with 501 Commons Plan IT staff