“I can’t imagine technology not being a key part of our organisation. We’ve used lots of tech right from the start because we quickly realised the more we used it the more people we helped.”
Nic Marchesi’s answer to the question of what Orange Sky Australia would look like without technology reveals two profound truths about technology and Australian not-for-profits.
The first is that ‘people-centric’ and ‘technology-centric’ are not mutually exclusive - even at an organisation that offers a service as personally impactful as a free mobile laundry and shower service for people experiencing homelessness.
The second is that the Young Australian of the Year 2016 can’t even conceive of how his organisation’s 1200 volunteers and 27 services could achieve what they do without the technology that underpins every aspect of their work.
“We use technology across every part of our organisation,” he adds. “It has enabled us to work more efficiently in every area, from our administration, to telling people about what we do, to ensuring the safety of our volunteers, to getting more donors on board. It’s everywhere.”
And there’s something else remarkable about the life-changing technology that has helped Orange Sky spend more than 100,000 hours helping and talking with people experiencing homelessness - much of it has been donated by organisations including global tech giant Microsoft.
While most Australians would be unaware of such donations, their impact on Australian not-for-profits like Orange Sky, and the colossal individual and community benefits that flow on, are beyond measure.
As well as an SQL Server and Office 365 from Microsoft, Orange Sky also receives donated products including Adobe’s Creative Cloud and Bitdefender anti-virus that provide critical functions and protection for their org and the people it serves.
“Without these donations it’s very likely that we could never have afforded to use the technology that is so critical for our work, so it’s really important for us,” says Marchesi.
Orange Sky is one of thousands of organisations receiving donated and discounted technology through Australian not-for-profit technology provider Connecting Up. The relationship is strong, with Marchesi recently presenting at Connecting Up’s annual conference.
He says being able to get technology from a trusted, fellow not-for-profit is the icing on the cake.
“That we can get these products through another amazing not-for-profit like Connecting Up that shares our values is really important for Orange Sky,” he adds. “We’ve been registered with Connecting up for three years now and it’s made a big difference for us.”
“Being able to assist organisations like Orange Sky and hear the impact is music to our ears at Connecting Up,” said Acting Chief Executive Officer Sandra Vallance. “We are passionate about achieving our organisation’s mission to increase the capability and impact of the Australian not-for-profit sector.
“Orange Sky do incredible work that has such a direct impact on individuals in the communities they operate in, and we’re so grateful to be able to contribute in making that possible.
“Nic is absolutely right about the importance of great technology assisting the most people-centred organisations and maximising their impact. The right balance of technology with human-centred design has the potential to maximise many for purpose not-for-profit potential and impact.
“Through donated and discounted technology like the Microsoft, Adobe and Bitdefender products he mentions, supported by good IT strategy and decision-making, this all becomes possible. Connecting Up is able to provide access to a great many discounted and donated products and services to support most aspects of any IT strategy.
“Those are all things we can, and want to, help with at Connecting Up – this is our impact.
“We hope Orange Sky’s story inspires more organisations to get in touch so that we can assist them to achieve the most appropriate human-centred technology support for them too.”