Thanks to TechSoup and ESRI, Non-Profits Win Big… and We Can Help Reach Their Goals

"The list of possibilities is endless ... that's why we're excited to do what we do!"

We were recently pleased to learn that ESRI and TechSoup have teamed up to provide low-cost GIS software and training to non-profit organizations. Through the program, non-profits and libraries can purchase an ArcView license, an eight-module online training course, and two GIS text books for $175 (the normal price for a license of ESRI’s ArcView is $1,500).

There are very few restrictions in getting the software:

Organizations are only allowed one license request within a fiscal year (July 1 to June 30)
You must be a 501(c)(3) designated organization
Libraries that are not 501(c)(3) designated must be listed in the Institute of Museum and Library Services database
Organizations must be willing to provide information to ESRI in order to create case studies or write testimonials about the donation program and how it helped your organization

It will probably come as no surprise to you to learn that we, here at Azavea, think that GIS is a pretty powerful tool. Low cost access to GIS software offers nonprofits tremendous potential for all types of applications, ranging from mapping project locations to complex analysis for targeting new service areas. Our commitment to assisting non-profit and academic organizations has led us to work on some unbelievavbly interesting and intellectually stimulating projects. We believe that GIS can assist organizations make more informed business decisions and improve business practices, such as mapping the location of service recipients to better understand coverage areas (MANNA), promoting economic development through maps highlighting recent and planned development activity (Avenue of the Arts), creating economic potential maps showing the buying power of a target community (Social Compact), or analyzing the geographic distributions of supporters to identify potential gaps and untapped markets for future outreach efforts (Wilma Theater). The list of possibilities is endless … that’s why we’re excited to do what we do!

We see this new offering from TechSoup and ESRI as an exciting opportunity for terrific organizations to access new tools that can enhance their capacities and help them achieve their missions.