Two things plentiful in the DC region: nonprofits and tech companies. So San Francisco-based Caravan Studios is bringing its Nonprofit Generator to DC next month to attempt to solve nonprofits’ problems with technology. Caravan Studios CEO Marnie Webb says the organization is inviting nonprofits to DC startup campus 1776 on March 12 to voice their biggest problems, especially those that don’t seem solvable with tech. Certain ones are chosen to present to the tech industry. Caravan Studios—a division of TechSoup Global, which provides tech to nonprofits through grants—also does some of its own app development.
Caravan Studios social community and partnerships director Susan Tenby says several apps that came out of previous generator events are being used by nonprofits, including one for USDA that helps kids who get free lunches during the school year find meals during summer. Another app is helping an animal rescue nonprofit organize volunteers. Marnie says the tech industry has increasingly shared its skills with nonprofits through events like hackathons. Part of it is driven by a young workforce that’s interested in giving back and another is that tech barriers are low enough that an app can be built over a weekend.
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