Blog entries
Goodstack is a fairly new nonprofit services platform focused on eligibility verification, discounted software access, and nonprofit visibility within corporate giving ecosystems. In some ways similar to the venerable TechSoup, the platform serves as a nonprofit technology clearinghouse, among other services. For the nonprofit organization, the primary value is both tactical and strategic: it can … Read more
The Growing Importance of Cloud Storage for Nonprofits Cloud storage has become one of the most important tools for nonprofits today. Whether organizations are managing donor databases, coordinating volunteers, storing grant applications, or sharing internal documents between remote teams, platforms like Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, and SharePoint help nonprofits operate more efficiently and collaboratively … Read more
At IT4Causes, our volunteers bring not only technical knowledge, but also passion, dedication, and a commitment to making a difference in the nonprofit community. This Volunteer Appreciation Month, we’re proud to highlight Jeff, whose decades of experience in enterprise IT have helped organizations strengthen their operations and better serve their missions. Based in Midlothian, Virginia, … Read more
In April, IT4Causes CEO Tom Anderson attended Change the World to Save the Cheetah, an inspiring evening hosted by the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) at the historic Fraser Mansion in Washington, D.C. The program brought together supporters for a cocktail reception, remarks and a presentation, and a candid Q&A focused on what it truly takes … Read more
Summer brings a unique mix of cybersecurity challenges for nonprofits. With interns joining, staff traveling, and organizations hosting seasonal events, the risk of account compromise, data exposure, and fraud increases significantly. Fortunately, a focused set of high‑impact, low‑cost practices can dramatically strengthen security without requiring major technical expertise or budget. Every nonprofit should begin with … Read more
Every Friday at 11AM EST, we’re doing AI Office Hours! We’ll spend 15 minutes on a focused AI topic — practical stuff like automating repetitive tasks, using AI tools for donor communications, understanding what your data is actually doing, or evaluating new tools before you commit. Then we open it up for 45 minutes of … Read more
Topic: AI in Grant Writing At IT4Causes, we believe technology should empower, but not overwhelm nonprofits. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor the AI Ready RVA Nonprofit Cohort on April 29, a hands‑on learning experience for nonprofit professionals across the Richmond region. This session will focus on a topic top of mind for many organizations: … Read more
Great news for IT4Causes supporters! Beginning with tax year 2026, the IRS has introduced a new rule that makes charitable giving more rewarding for millions of Americans who take the standard deduction. What Changed? Under the new law, non‑itemizers can once again deduct charitable donations on their federal tax return. If you don’t itemize deductions, … Read more
AI questions deserve real answers, not more reading. Starting this Friday, IT4Causes is launching AI Office Hours — a free weekly virtual session open to our clients and anyone in the nonprofit community who wants to learn more about using AI responsibly and effectively. Every Friday at 11AM EST, we’ll spend 15 minutes on a … Read more
At IT4Causes, we are always excited to welcome new team members who bring fresh energy, diverse experiences, and a shared passion for using technology to support nonprofit organizations. This season, we are proud to introduce Julian James, Sam Plummer, and Matt Harper as our newest interns. Each of them brings a unique background and perspective to IT4Causes, … Read more
Current Landscape As we move through 2026, cybercriminals are increasingly zeroing in on the nonprofit sector, recognizing it as a “soft target” rich with donor information yet often constrained by limited security resources. In this environment, a robust cybersecurity awareness program has shifted from best practice to a strategic imperative. With executive‑level vulnerabilities on the … Read more
QR codes have become widely used for everyday activities such as accessing menus, connecting to Wi-Fi networks, and making digital payments. However, cybersecurity researchers have increasingly warned that attackers are now exploiting this convenience through a type of phishing attack known as “quishing,” or QR-code phishing. In a quishing attack, a malicious link is embedded … Read more
Thanks to everyone who attended the “AI Proficiency for Nonprofits” event last Tues 3/3, presented by IT4Causes and sponsored by Aha Apps and Xponent21. We hope you enjoyed the presentation and discussion. Mark Meyerson from IT4Causes presented an awesome session highlighting how to use Anthropic’s 4D model (Delegation, Description, Discernment, Diligence) to decide when and … Read more
Catch up with IT4Causes at one of these upcoming events: We hope to see you out and about as we continue to bring great technology to nonprofits regionally and nationally.
“AI Proficiency for Nonprofits” Lunch and Learn March 3, In-Person and Virtual Options If you’ve used ChatGPT to draft a grant proposal, write a donor thank-you letter, or brainstorm social media content, you’re not alone. AI tools have quietly become part of how many nonprofit professionals work. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: most of us … Read more
Every year, tax season creates the perfect storm for cybercriminals. Staff are expecting W-2 forms, payroll reminders, donation receipts, and IRS-related emails — and attackers know it. Security teams are warning that phishing campaigns are spiking right now, timed specifically to exploit nonprofit employees and finance teams who are handling sensitive tax and payroll information. … Read more
by Mark Meyerson Most organizations get AI backwards. They start with the shiny tools (chatbots, analytics platforms, automation software) and figure out the rules later. But the organizations getting real value from AI are doing something different: they’re writing policy first. A human-first AI policy is really just documenting your intentions before the technology arrives. … Read more
By Jeff Ely, IT4Causes Volunteer Non-Profit organizations are increasingly targeted by “Fake Tech Support” scams because they often manage sensitive donor data with limited IT resources. Scammers impersonate household names like Microsoft, Apple, or Geek Squad to create a false sense of urgency, claiming your system is “infected” or a “subscription has expired.” Their goal … Read more
How to protect your organization, your people , and yourself from this common scam. As the holiday season approaches, we want to remind everyone, from our non-profit clients, our volunteers, and our interns to remain vigilant against phishing scams. Cybercriminals often target organizations, especially non-profits, during this time of year, aiming to take advantage of … Read more
Corporate matching gift programs represent one of the most overlooked revenue streams for nonprofits. Every year, billions of dollars in employer matching funds go unclaimed simply because donors don’t know these programs exist—or nonprofits don’t have the systems in place to capture them. Matching gift services simplify this process. Platforms like 360MatchPro, DonationMatch, Double the … Read more
Why It Matters More Than Ever In today’s digital landscape, nonprofits are increasingly reliant on technology to manage operations, engage donors, and deliver services. But with this reliance comes vulnerability. Cyberattacks—ransomware, phishing, data breaches—are no longer just threats to large corporations. Nonprofits, often seen as soft targets due to limited cybersecurity resources, are now squarely … Read more
Building a Safer Digital Environment Through Informed Users Core Issue: In non-profit cyber security, the end-user (staff, volunteers, and board members) represents the greatest vulnerability. Sophisticated technical defenses are often nullified by simple human errors, such as clicking a malicious link, using weak passwords, or falling for a texting scam. For non-profits, this risk is … Read more
Contributed by: Devrielle Stokes A year ago, I found myself at a crossroads, unsure of how to connect my technical skills and academic background with my deeper passion for making a meaningful impact in my community. I knew I wanted to do work that mattered, but I wasn’t sure where to start or how to … Read more
Cyber Awareness Month, observed every October, is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. In 2025, non-profits have a critical opportunity to strengthen cyber hygiene, protect donors, safeguard beneficiary data and build trust with the communities they serve. Why Cyber Security matters most to nonprofit organizations Threats facing your organization … Read more
Windows 10 End of Support With the exception of certain LTSB/LTSC Windows 10 edition versions, Windows 10 End of Support (EOS) is set for October 14, 2025. Consequently, following this date Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, security updates, and software updates from Windows Update for Windows 10. Over time, Windows 10 will become … Read more
We are thrilled to invite you to our milestone event, Tech4All 10.0, as we celebrate ten incredible years of making a difference together! This year’s event promises to be our most exciting yet, with a special focus on the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Event Details: What to Expect: Best of all, because of … Read more
National Backup Day serves as a critical call to action for all organizations, particularly nonprofits, highlighting the importance of consistent data backups. Data is invaluable, and its loss can severely disrupt operations, endanger sensitive information, and diminish trust. Nonprofits as well as other small- and mid-sized-businesses need to recognize that data on individual machines, servers, and … Read more
Last year, IT4Causes spent over 5,800 hours assisting 33 nonprofits nationally. With one dollar invested, we generated on average five dollars in impact. We’re dedicated to continuing this work in 2024!
In an era where our digital footprint is as significant as our physical presence, safeguarding our online data is paramount. Cybersecurity is not just a concern for tech experts; it’s a crucial aspect of everyday life. Here are some vital steps you can take to enhance your cybersecurity and protect your personal information: Avoid Phishing … Read more
We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to the IT4Causes family, Andy Phillips, joining us as a Senior IT Consultant and Systems Engineer. With a wealth of experience in the IT industry, Andy brings a unique blend of skills and insights to IT4Causes. On his prior experience: “Before joining IT4Causes, I was CTO of … Read more