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