Earlier this week, on a morning coffee run after dropping off my three kids at school, I happened upon a homeless man, in a wheelchair, at the end of the drive through parking lot. I had about $3 in change in my car, and stopped to give it to him. He was polite, friendly, and thanked me for the small offer I could give him. I drove away and realized I had tears in my eyes. Not because the nice man had made me feel bad, but because I realized how such a small moment in my day could make a difference for someone else.
I realize and know that there are countless charities and organizations that do incredible work daily to help others in need, and my one 30-second moment of helping someone else pales in comparison to the work these people do every day. I can’t imagine that kind job-satisfaction that comes with knowing your daily work makes a significant change in people’s lives, but I also know that charities struggle for a variety of reasons too.
One area where charitable organizations need help is in technology and utilizing digital platforms and opportunities to spread their message. We as citizens have a hard enough time on our own keeping up with the changes, but imagine how volunteer-run and charitable organizations manage technology among all the other – and admittedly more pressing – issues they encounter every day with the people they’re trying to help.
From websites to widgets, for-profit companies and businesses are investing in tech now more than ever before – it’s just good business sense to do so. Without the support of big teams and budgets, charities simply don’t have the same access to the same digital solutions. Capital One Digital For Good is designed to help charities and non-profit organizations embrace and implement technology.
Through Capital One’s own research with Canadian charities, they’ve learned that 74% of Canadian charities believe a growing tech gap threatens the long-term success of their organization and 50% of Canadian charities simply aren’t able to keep up with an evolving, tech-driven society.
So, what is Capital One doing to help? The Capital One Digital for Good Summit, held on November 18th in Toronto is a free event designed to empower charities and non-profit organizations to use technology as a force for good. The Summit aims to help bridge the technology gap these groups are facing by providing attendees with access to tech leaders and like-minded peers they might not have access to otherwise.
You can learn more about Capital One’s mission and the Digital For Good Summit at www.digitalforgood.com
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Capital One Canada. All opinions and commentary are, as always, my own.
Interesting. I’ve never thought about the impact of technology on charitable organizations.
That sounds like it would be a great conference!
What a great initiative
nothing but good can come from this!! good job Capital One!!
I think every charity in my town is low tech. This could help a lot of organizations.
I love when big brands incorporate charity like programs.
Good on Capital One, hopefully it can lessen the tech gap.
Its awesome that capital one is challenging themselves by making a difference in our communities
I had never considered this perspective of charities needing help in the area of technology but it’s a great initiative.
It’s a good thing, when big companies do something positive for communities, charities, fund-raising, awareness.
I hadn’t realized the importance of digital marketing. Thanks for info.
Charities tend to be low tech or no tech but having an app could really help like on Amazon Smile will donate a percentage of your purchase to the charity of your choice. Makes it easy and convenient!
Wow, this is an interesting post.
Technology helps it make easy to give to charities. Thanks for the article.
Well this is a nice thing to do.
It’s good that a big company like Capital One is involved in this endeavor. And your action may seem small but if we all did that, wouldn’t the world be a better place? Nice article – thanks for sharing.
Very nice! Good on them!
Love companies that help out others.
Interesting
Didn’t even think about the effect of technology or lack of it on these types of organizations.
Way to go Capital One! I hope this idea spreads to other provinces too, there are so very many charities who really need this help.
This would be helpful for so many charities
I have never thought about this but of course this would be a huge help to the smaller charities!
Koodos for Capital One.
I would never have thought about tech affecting charity organizations. Good thing they will be able to get some help with it!
Interesting perspective. I worked at volunteer/non-profit for a few years and they are always struggling to keep up.
I had never thought of charities and how they keep up with technology.
Charity programs are so good.
Wow my hat goes off to capital one. For there help in Technology for all the charities and giving back to the communities. 🎩
Awesome way to help charities!
It’s great Capitol One is helping non-profits to be more effective!
Great reading the article! Good for Capital One !!!
This would be helpful for so many charities.
Way to go Capitol One!
Interesting! Lots of charities, but where does the money really go. We need to be careful and give to the ones where our money makes a difference.
This is something I’ve never thought of, interesting
Very interesting read! I have never given much thought to technology and charities
Thanks for the information I didn’t realize how it affected them.
I’ve never heard of this, sounds really important. Good job to them for their work and for making people aware. Sounds like many will benefit!
Thanks for bringing out attention to the summit and Capital One’s involvement.
I’m glad that Capital One took this initiative to help charitable organizations. Too bad this is only being done in Ontario at the moment.
Very cool I had no idea capital one was doing this !!!
I found this very interesting!
Wishing success for the event today.
Such a great idea!! I hope they had an amazing turnout today in Toronto!