Contributing Computer Help To Non-Profits?

Chris Hedberg asks: "I have a friend who works for a non-profit organization whose purpose makes them a potential target for hacking. Unfortunately, although they're a significant group, they're run by a very small group on a shoestring budget and a lot of coffee. My question: Do groups exist who will contribute time or even just advice to nonprofits who cannot afford a formal I.T. team to secure their site? Seems likely that such must exist, but I'm not quite sure where to look. Sites for low-level novices looking to do it themselves would also be helpful."

I've done IT work for a charity...

[Kris_J]

I've done a couple of sessions of work for the SIDS foundation of Australia [sidsaustralia.org.au], specifically the Perth office. Their heavy use of volunteers makes them a soft target for viruses. In fact, I evicted several when I was there last. Ultimately they have to shell out for the anti-virus stuff (a not insubstantional cost for a small network). I was unable to find a mainstream anti-virus package that had lower pricing for non-profits (but if you're an educational user...).

I think such IT costs are simply part of the money that needs to be shelled out. No one's giving them cars, but they need them and have to find the money just the same. It's a shame, but if a non-profit can't afford the equipment, or find the skills it needs then it will have to consider shutting down.

Local LUGs

[barzok]

Check with your local LUG(s) or other user groups. Publicity for them is never a bad thing, and some are looking for other organizations in need of services they can provide.

donated computer and floppy firewall

[banbeans]

any old 486 or pent* system will do...
if you need dialup use a minimal linux install
likely slack or debian on a 200-500 meg hd...
http://www.zelow.no/floppyfw/
firewall settup:
http://linux-firewall-tools.com/linux/firewall/i ndex.html
also search /. for articles on securing linux

Re:Local LUGs

[shippo]

My LUG (WYLUG - West Yorkshire) is attempting to get Linux into local Schools. There's a few emails going around their mailing list at the moment on this very topic.

I've personally volunteered to help a charity install Linux on donated hardware. Due to the fact that the server was many miles away, this help was only in the form of Emails. Although I personally hadn't installed Linux on this machine, I had much experience of the peculiarities with this platform on other operating systems.

nonprofit software

[sid crimson]

Although this might be a bit offtopic relative to the question, I've secured software for the nonprofit I work for.

Gifts In Kind, Inc [giftsinkind.org] has a good program that includes computers and office supplies. There's a yearly membership fee of no more than $250, and you can secure computers and software for nominal "administration fees." For example... if you like Novell and have someone with a CNE# to help you install, Netware 5.1 with all the licenses you need for $30. Need Bordermanager? $30. Groupwise? $30. They offer Microsoft software too. Windows 98 licenses are $20 each (max 10). The list goes on... and even includes discounted training! Check the website [giftsinkind.org] for details.

Another good source for nonprofits, education, churches, etc... is Consistent Computer Bargains [ccbnonprofits.com]. They have a really complete listing of software and hardware available at decent savings, and is a good place to learn about special licensing programs are available, such as Microsofts eOpen.

-sid

ITs, Information Security and charity.

[rjh]

A lot, emphasis, a lot of people who work in InfoSec work for charity. Many of the people who do this stuff for a living do it out of a deep conviction that InfoSec is essential to a free society, and as such, they're not exactly motivated by money, power and hot chicks. ;)

It helps to look for help in the usual places. Churches can often be incredible help; they're not only places of worship, but they're networks of people who are willing to help each other for free. Contact your local churches and ask them if they have any parishioners who are employed in the IT field; you might be very surprised. They probably don't have many, if any--but the one they do know probably has five or six like-minded friends, and so on, and so on.

Other good ideas are LUGs, if there's one in your area. Colleges, too: there are usually lots of community-oriented groups on college campus, and somewhere in them there have to be a couple of CS majors.

So call some priests and college chaplains, hit the local LUG homepage, put up posters in the Student Commons. There's lots of help to be found--good luck!

Computer resources for nonprofits

[adam12b]

Where are you located? There are some excellent resources, including donated consulting, for nonprofits, though all the ones I know are in SF Bay area. eg:

• CompuMentor -- does just what you need, hooking up needy nonprofits with volunteer consultants for specific short-term needs
  www.compumentor.org [compumentor.org]

• Charity Focus -- creates free Web sites for nonprofits
  www.charityfocus.org [charityfocus.org]

• Compass Point -- general nonprofit resources, including consulting services and links
  www.compasspoint.org [compasspoint.org]

• Nonprofit Tech -- consulting with a social conscience, not free but cheap
  www.nonprofit-tech.org [nonprofit-tech.org]

Check their Web sites, and even if you're not in this area they might have leads to something near you. I work with CompuMentor and Nonprofit Tech.

adam

Re:nonprofit software

[Chris Hedberg]

Super-helpful, thanks. Just to let others know, I've gotten e-mail from folks who're willing to help as well. No gap in the market, I think. More like a market that's just small and busy. :)

-C

Re:Computer resources for nonprofits

[Chris Hedberg]

Folks in question are in NYC, so I suspect that there's help close at hand that they're just not aware of. Looks like your orgs may be able to help out at a distance, or at the least point out local resources. Thanks a lot!

Re:ITs, Information Security and charity.

[Chris Hedberg]

Will do. Thanks!