Health, education and environmental not-for-profits offered free IT services
- 28 January, 2015 11:27
Australian-based health, education and environmental not-for-profits can apply for free IT services following the launch of a program by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
The TCS Pro Bono Community program is designed to help not-for-profit organisations that may not be able to afford IT services. If selected, up to five organisations will get free application and website development, IT consulting and software testing.
Applications close on 16 February. A second round of funding will take place in September.
TCS Australia and New Zealand CEO Deborah Hadwen said it was offering the services to health, education and environmental not-for-profits because this fit with its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs in Australia.
“Most of our CSR [programs] are based around education, environment or health. Education is a very comprehensive program that crosses everything from mentoring school children to graduate scholarships,” she said.
The vendor also runs a pro bono adult literacy program in India. Started in 2000, the program has helped approximately 200,000 people learn to read and write.
TCS is not the only IT vendor offering free services to not-for-profits in Australia. In September, Microsoft donated $4 million worth of software to World Vision Australia.
In October, Symantec donated $260,000 to not-for-profit charity beyondblue to help the organisation combat cyberbullying amongst Australian children.
Beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman said the money was used to develop a free online video and information guide for parents.
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