Blog entries
Zikria found IT4Causes through the Virginia Cyber Initiative and started with us on April 23. He’s been on the cybersecurity team and IT implementation ever since — his listed internship ran through August 7, and he’s still working with us. At VCU he’s finishing computer science with a concentration in cybersecurity, graduating December 2026. His … Read more
Michelle Boateng joins us this fall as our IT Implementation Intern. She’s studying computer science with a concentration in software engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University, graduating May 2027, and she found IT4Causes through the Virginia Works internship program at VCU. What drew her was the combination: “it gives me the chance to gain hands-on IT … Read more
Deven Tompkins is one of our newest interns, majoring in cybersecurity at Old Dominion University and finishing in spring 2027. He came to us from the other side of the relationship: “I work at one of the non profits that the interns were working at and got the suggestion from them.” His favorite class so … Read more
Melissa Nguyen is one of our newest interns, studying computer science with a concentration in cybersecurity at Virginia Commonwealth University, graduating in December 2027. She found IT4Causes while looking for hands-on IT experience, and the program “caught my attention since it focused on helping nonprofits and finding the most efficient ways to solve their technical … Read more
Selina Huang is one of our newest interns, and an accounting major at Virginia Commonwealth University with an expected graduation of May 2030. She joined IT4Causes, in her words, “for the opportunity to expand my skills and learn new things.” Her favorite classes so far are Introduction to Accounting and Business Statistics. “I love business-related … Read more
Six Richmond organizations are sponsoring Tech4All 11.0 on Sept. 24, 2026 at St. Joseph’s Villa. Meet them — and grab your $10 ticket before we sell out.
Strong nonprofit organizations begin with strong governance. On Wednesday, September 9, IT4Causes Executive Director Tom Anderson joins a panel of nonprofit and business leaders at the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon for a discussion titled “Who’s Got a Seat at the Table? Choosing the Right Board Members.” The conversation brings together nonprofit executives, consultants, … Read more
September 24, 2026 · by IT4Causes Tickets went live this week for Tech4All, IT4Causes’ big yearly night out — one part showcase, one part reunion, one part full-on celebration of everyone who makes nonprofit tech work in Richmond happen. And this year belongs to our interns. It’s their moment, and they’ve earned it, alongside the … Read more
Summary For non-profits, trust is your organization’s primary currency. While you tightly guard your budget to maximize impact, informal password habits pose a silent threat. Implementing a centralized password manager is a low-cost security measure that protects organizational data, donor data, and safeguards your organization’s reputation. The Problem: Vulnerabilities Your Organization Face With a lean … Read more
Tech4All is a showcase networking event hosted by IT4Causes, an RVA nonprofit that provides affordable, mission-driven technology solutions to help other nonprofits advance their missions. This year’s event, Tech4All 11.0, celebrates our interns, as well as the volunteers, partners, and community members whose passion, innovation, and service are helping to shape them into the next … Read more
Microsoft is transitioning from Classic Outlook (native desktop application) to the New Outlook for Windows (web-based style web app). This architectural shift introduces several critical trade-offs, workflow disruptions, and system limitations. Because your daily work relies on laptop mobility, shared calendars, and email-based file attachments (instead of OneDrive/SharePoint links), this update directly impacts users’ core … Read more
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