Does the statement “No one funds technology” resonate with you? It seems that for many organizations it is an uphill battle to find a funder who supports their technology needs.  I found an interesting posting on the NTEN Blog which states that it does not need to be so and it gives some ideas on how to go about sourcing your technology.

The article gives the following tactics on how to get the technology funds that you need to achieve your mission:

1. Ask for in-kind donations – many companies prefer to donate their products or share their expertise with organizations, as this is often easier for them than giving a monetary donation

2. Include technology needs in grant proposals – the on-going and up-coming technology expenses should automatically be a part of every one of your proposals

3. Buy discounted technology – Businesses  often offer a discount on their products to Nonprofits – and if it is not offered, it never hurts to ask too!  Have a look at places like TechSoup to see what they offer

4. Check with your local Nonprofit associations – many associations are aware of individuals and companies who would like to donate their time or their equipment and may be able to match you with someone who can service your needs.

To read this article in full 

Just love this one!!

This case study with African Wildlife Foundation details the scope of their programmes coupled with the challenges these programmes bring and it discusses how Serenic Navigator is able to support managing those challenges.

An overview of the case study showcases:

The Business Situation: “Right now, we are administrating about 70 or so active grants,” explains Jeff Chrisfield, CFO at AWF. “Our grants come in all sizes. We accept and track restricted grants starting at about $25,000, but of course they go up into the multimillions. And that’s 70 grants spread across different progammes that span nine geographical regions.  Our challenge is weaving together the tapestry of funding.”

The Solution: “Serenic Navigator… meets that need for a control process without having to hire lots of overhead finance people for each field office.  With Serenic, you get the segregation duties by distributing the responsibilities. It centralizes procurement away from the field office.

The Benefits of Using Serenic as a Solution:

- Replication functionality allowed the Nonprofit to restructure its accounting functions in DC< Nairobi and other African countries;

- Streamlined requisition entry and approvals across multi-national allocations resulting in better budget management;

- Grant and donation tracking from the US & European governments, foundations and individual donors ensuring transparency and accountability.

To access the full case study 

Send It South is one of the leading partners for Serenic in Africa. If you would like to see how Send It South can support your financial needs with Serenic Navigator, please contact Jos  on +27 82 529 5922 or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .