Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MAY 3, 2004

Benetech's Dr. Patrick Ball has just been awarded the ACM's 2003 Lawler Award for humanitarian contributions using computer technology. The ACM is the leading organization for computer science professionals. It's exciting to have one of our own honored by the technology community, and for the open source software that Patrick has so passionately advocated for.

Open Source 278

Open Source Award Software Professional 278

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MAY 31, 2004

I'm working from Maputo, Mozambique on this U.S. Memorial Day. Today I've been talking to humanitarian demining groups about our proposed mine detector. Last week in South Africa I was discussing adaptive technology for the blind and software for human rights groups. Our Martus human rights software was just covered today by the San Jose Mercury News in an article entitled Software Helps Rights Groups Protect Sensitive Information.

San Jose 100

San Jose South Africa Mozambique Africa 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MAY 26, 2004

I've been in South Africa for just two days and have had several exciting meetings. My base of operations has been the IDP Africa Forum 2004, a conference for organizations serving the blind throughout Africa. I have had several great conversations about the state of adaptive technology for the African blind, and am getting good ideas for how we can help over the next few years.

Sierra Leone 100

Sierra Leone South Africa Africa California 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MAY 18, 2004

My May President's Update has just been posted. This is my quarterly (roughly) update to Benetech's stakeholders on what we are doing. This update is chock full of news: there's a great deal cooking in Palo Alto and around the world. One exciting news item is Benetech receiving the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, which expands the already great support from the Skoll Foundation.

Award 100

Award News Foundation Benefit 100

Speaker: Andrew Olsen, CFRE - EVP, Fundraising Solutions at DickersonBakker | Kat Landa, CFRE, CSD - SVP, Talent Solutions at DickersonBakker

Across the nonprofit sector, organizations invest heavily in donor retention efforts, yet the struggle of cultivating lasting relationships remains. While attracting new donors is crucial, the lack of repeat donors poses significant financial risks. Through a comprehensive analysis of industry data, experts argue that there is a direct correlation between donor burnout, donor retention, and the talent retention crisis.

Donor

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MAY 10, 2004

Bookshare.org is moving quickly to expand in serving the needs of students. eSchoolNews just did a very nice story about Bookshare.org and schools with quotes from teachers and Margaret Londergan at Indiana University. Bookshare.org offers 17,000 royalty-free texts.

Indiana 100

Indiana Student University Story 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MAY 9, 2004

Benetech exists in the social entrepreneurship sector. This article, from the Wharton School, takes a critical look at venture philanthropy. Even as a relentless booster of the benefits of venture philanthropy, I have to admit that their core conclusion is correct: that pure venture philanthropy is still a small segment of the philanthropic funding sector.

Philanthropy 100

Philanthropy Results Benefit Fund 100