Microsoft creates online resource for NGOs-Philippines

MAKATI City, Philippines -- Local non-government organizations (NGOs) that want to learn and use Microsoft technology can now access an online resource designed for them, a local executive told INQUIRER.net.

The global website, dubbed NGO Connection, was launched in the United States several weeks ago to help NGOs find more information on how they can get "software grants" from the company, said Mae Rivera-Moreno, PR and community affairs manager of Microsoft Philippines during its third Microsoft NGO Day.

Microsoft Philippines has been holding NGO Day, in collaboration with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), for three years as part of its Unlimited Potential (UP) initiative, Rivera-Moreno said.

The online resource is also part of Microsoft's global community affairs initiative, which highlights case studies and a digital curriculum designed for non-profit organizations, the executive said.

The NGO Day is also a venue where local organizations get to listen to experts talk about different issues, including financial management, fund-raising, project management and using new media for fund-raising.

This year, Ammado.com, a social networking website, gave over a hundred local NGO representatives a sample of a Facebook-like service designed for non-profit organizations.

"We want to help them improve their processes. For the past three years, we've been getting good feedback from them," Rivera-Moreno said.

Vicky Ho, manager of the membership development of PBSP, said many non-government organizations are still learning how to harness technology to "promote" their initiatives on the Internetⁱ.

With the increasing number of NGOs in the world pushing various causes, local NGOs now need to "broadcast the good news" to potential donors here and abroad, she said.

PBSP is a private and non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting business sector commitment to social development. It was organized in 1970 by 50 of the country's prominent business leaders.

According to its website, it is now the country's largest business-led social development foundation.

PHILIPPINE POST