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“We currently depend on dial-up connections [giving] slower, limited access [which] ties up phone lines.”
Internet Use
Use of the Internet in nonprofits is decidedly behind. Although many organizations have created Web sites and are using email, many have not placed a high priority on promoting Internet use among staff. In fact, 22% of organizations reported using email “rarely” or “never”. Email is the definitive communication tool of the information age, and nonprofits need to use it effectively to succeed.
In addition, access to the Internet is limited. The most common Internet access scenario, in 54% of organizations, is 56k dial-up access; however, 56k Internet access is no longer sufficient for effective business use of the Internet. Broadband technologies transform the nature of the Internet as a tool for business communication, so many organizations do not know what they are missing. Web conferencing, research and file exchange are features of fast Internet access that cannot be explored by 66% of Milwaukee nonprofits.
ENTECH did not record the number of Internet access accounts present in each organization in the database. However, a recently surveyed organization spent approximately $200 per month on individual dial-up accounts for staff. A single, shared broadband connection would offer many times the speed for less than half of the cost. Again, organizations are misallocating precious resources toward technology solutions that are inappropriate.
Thirty six percent of surveyed nonprofits operate Web sites. However, many of those sites are rarely updated as internal staff to not have the training necessary to make minor changes.
 
Challenge Statement: Nonprofits need better protection and security practices.
Strategy 1: Develop and host a nonprofit Internet server. Providing Web hosting, email accounts and other utilities for nonprofits will allow a single server to centrally distribute Internet tools to nonprofits.
Strategy 2: Distribute free, low-cost Internet utilities to nonprofits. Free Web hosting, email and content management software are widely available. However, the proper installation and use of these resources will require guidance from a source of expertise.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction
Organizational Summary
Future Directions
Technology Planning
Training
Networking
Information Management
Hardware
Protection & Security
Internet Use
Technology Policies
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