The very best in technology innovation and excellence across the community sector will be recognised at the Australian Not-for-Profit Technology Awards in Melbourne on 12 May at South Wharf. Connecting Up and Infoxchange are excited to announce the finalists for the upcoming 2022 Australian Not-for-Profit Technology Awards, to be held at the Pan Pacific Melbourne on Thursday 12 May as part of the Connecting Up Conference 2022. Now in its sixth year, the awards recognise the very best in technology innovation and excellence by organisations and individuals in the Australian not-for-profit sector. Acknowledging the accomplishments of these organisations and individuals encourages the community sector to continue innovating and improving their product and service offerings allowing for greater impact. Congratulations to all the finalists Victoria leads the tally with 14 of the 26 finalists recognised across the seven categories. We wish all the finalists all the best and look forward to hearing more about how they're using technology to make a difference. Best Accidental IT Person This award recognises a volunteer or staff member who has made an exemplary contribution to the not-for-profit sector and has positively impacted the lives of others by taking responsibility for their organisation’s IT in spite of it not originally being a formal part of their role. Kirsten Miles - Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre Megan Goldsmith - Plastic Oceans Australasia Ish Rashad - Volunteering Victoria Social Media Campaign of the Year This award recognises the most effective and innovative use of social media by a not-for-profit organisation or agency working for a not-for-profit organisation to promote its products and/or services. Global Citizen Oceania - Global Poverty Project A BBQ to Remember - Swiss 8 Virtual Reality, Reach out, Check in, Act - This Life Cambodia Looking for Love - Pet Rescue Best Technology Achievement by a First Nations Person This award recognises the excellence in use or development of technology by an Indigenous Australian to positively connect with and impact local communities. Kira-Lea Dargin - Wawirra Supplies Wayne Harvey - Community First Development Not-for-Profit Technology Innovator of the Year This award recognises a not-for-profit organisation which has best showcased innovation through the use of technology to effectively deliver programs and services that positively impact the community. Justice Connect Orygen Digital Amplify Social Impact Online Humanitix MarrickVille Legal Centre Not-for-Profit Technology Lifetime Service Award This award recognises and celebrates the outstanding commitment and service by an individual working in a technology-related role in the not-for-profit sector over a significant period of time. Walter de Jong - Work Ventures Manar Ahmad - Canberra Islamic School Jessica MacPherson - Salesfix and Blaze Your Trail Technology for Community Impact Award - Best Private Sector Organisation This award recognises a private sector business that has made a highly-valued contribution to the not-for-profit sector and the broader community through the useof technology. Connecting You to a Better World GoodTel - GoodTel Green Fox Training Studio - Green Fox Studio Bronwyn Covill - Need a Tutor iSponsor Technology Volunteer of the Year This award recognises a volunteer who, through the use of technology, has made an exemplary voluntary contribution to the not-for-profit sector and has positively impacted the lives of others through their volunteering activities. Rubinah Ahmad - The Australian Muslim Times Kevin Whelan - U3A Victoria Megan Goldsmith - Plastic Oceans Australasia Frank Espinoza - The Kindness Shake Michael Maguire - U3A Banyule The Connecting Up Conference 2022 is on next week! REGISTER NOW FOR THE CONFERENCE The Connecting Up Conference 2022 is fast approaching. Don't miss out on your chance to register for this year's must-attend technology event. Join us for three interactive days full of inspiring masterclasses, keynote presentations and plenaries on the latest research and know-how in IT strategy, cyber security, leadership, capability building and training, digital marketing and fundraising. Our exciting program includes: Pre-election Panel - representatives from the major parties including Dr Andrew Leigh (Labor) and Janet Rice (Greens), facilitated by David Crosbie, CEO, Community Council for Australia Fundraising Keynote – Jodi Kennedy, GM Charitable Trusts & Philanthropy at Equity Trustees Cyber Security Keynote – Melissa Osborne, Head of National Security at Amazon Web Services Marketing Keynote – Kat Warboys, Director of Marketing APAC at Hubspot Marketing Masterclass - Yvette Adams, Founder at The Creative Collective Leadership Masterclass – Roland Dillon, Partner at McKinsey & Company The Great Reframe Panel - facilitated by Maximus International and featuring leaders from The Salvation Army, Arts Centre Melbourne and Infoxchange. Book now for the NFP Tech Awards Gala Dinner Celebrate technology innovation in the Australian charitable sector at the Australian Not-for-Profit Technology Awards. Pre-dinner drinks served from 6.30pm Doors open for the main event at 7pm Event finishes at 11pm
Digital technologies are critical to enabling modern community organisations to operate effectively and deliver critical services. Connecting Up are hosting a series of free webinars for not-for-profits as part of DIF2021. A new Digital Transformation Hub to help Australian not-for-profits build digital capability and resilience for a post COVID-19 world, is now live. The Infoxchange Group is leading a cross-sector partnership to deliver the Hub, which was established with seed funding from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and Gandel Philanthropy. The Infoxchange Group’s Digital Technology in the Not-for-Profit Sector 2020 report highlights that a growing number of not-for-profits need to invest in digital technology, but many don't have the time, capability or budget to move as fast or effectively as they would like. More than half of not-for-profits surveyed were less than satisfied with the way they use technology, and 49% said staff were lacking confidence. Infoxchange Group CEO, David Spriggs, says that these issues have now been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with organisations moving to deliver more services online and supporting staff and volunteers to work more effectively remotely. “COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the sector and more and more not-for-profits are contacting us to get help with improving their digital capability. The Digital Transformation Hub will support them to have efficient, reliable technology in place to better support communities in need, staff and volunteers,” says David. Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, CEO, Dr Catherine Brown OAM, says the Digital Transformation Hub will build the capability of the not-for-profit sector as it responds and recovers from COVID-19, especially in the face of increasing demand for services and the need to make major steps in the transition to a zero-carbon economy in the next ten years. “Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation is pleased to be working with Gandel Philanthropy to support Infoxchange Group’s new Digital Transformation Hub. We see the Hub as providing a strong platform from which not-for-profit leaders and consumers can use digital tools to innovate and transform service or program delivery, develop refreshed financial models, strengthen collaborations across sectors, and ultimately become future ready for whatever challenges lie ahead,” says Catherine. “Congratulations to the Infoxchange Group for their vision and support of our sector.” Gandel Philanthropy CEO, Vedran Drakulić OAM, says that the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rapid shift to the online delivery of education, support services and information across many sectors, and that this trend is here to stay. “The Digital Transformation Hub will provide an opportunity for not-for-profits to either further strengthen, or even develop from scratch, their technological capability, their online presence and their digital reach. The Hub has the real potential to minimise future digital inequality in the community and strengthen the technical capability and resilience of community organisations,” says Vedran. Delivery of the Digital Transformation Hub is being supported by a range of partners contributing funding, resources and expertise.These organisations include: Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Gandel Philanthropy, Wheelton Philanthropy, NSW Government through the Social Sector Transformation Fund, Victorian Government, PwC Australia, Google, Microsoft, Griffith University, Swinburne University, Beaker & Flint, Communiteer, Isgood.AI, HumanIT, Tyne Solutions, CSnet, PN Digital, Comunet, Engage4Change, Nova Smart Solutions, Digital Purpose, Strategic Grants and Insight 38. “We are thrilled to share our expertise with the Digital Transformation Hub to help not-for-profits across Australia make the most of digital technologies and undergo their own transformation journeys,” says Jane Edwards, Director of Social Impact, PwC Australia. The CEO of the says that one of advantages of the Digital Transformation Hub is about identifying what is possible. "A lot of organisations in our sector don’t know what we don't know when it comes to digital capability. We can use the Hub as a source of information to discover the possibilities that are available to us, and I think that is important," says Liz, Digital Transformation Hub resources are created by experts to help organisations accelerate their digital transformation journeys, whether they are getting started or looking to extend and build on capabilities they already have. Resources include: A digital capability quiz to assess strengths, with tailored recommendations for opportunities to improve. Access to donated and discounted hardware and software for the not-for-profit sector from Google, Microsoft, Adobe, Amazon, Zoom, MYOB, NetSuite and sector-specific providers. An “expert bar” where organisations can book one-on-one consultations with experts on subjects like grant applications, digital marketing, data security and much more. Training for technology leaders, staff and volunteers, including self-paced online learning with course content designed specifically for the sector, as well interactive group events and regular webinars. Engaging guides and how-to content for the sector on key areas of interest including tech foundations, IT management, information systems, digital marketing or cyber security. To access the Digital Transformation Hub go to www.digitaltransformation.org.au