On Monday Joel argued that technology has a role to play in helping people lift themselves out of poverty by connecting them to services and one another. As the founder of a technology social enterprise myself I could not agree with this sentiment more.
However, while Joel laments that non-profit technology does not hold a candle to the innovation of company’s like Apple, the fact is that non-profit technology sucks because that is what we demand.
Have you seen a non-profit website recently? Have you been the user/victim of a miserably designed HMIS system (Homeless Management Information System)? Have you ever dared to actually try to use one of these databases that purportedly matches people to services?
They are garbage. Poorly designed by technology hacks who do not actually care about the social sector, and know just a bit more about computers than the average person, which somehow anoints them “technology experts”.
If I seem a bit mad, it’s because I am.
I care a heck of a lot about the social sector. I, like you, have dedicated my life to helping improve the lives of others. But I have also watched, frustrated, as one miserable idea after another, one poorly designed system after another, and yet another technological eye-sore is thrust upon front line social sector workers and the people they aim to help.
You see, we may claim we want better technology in the sector, we may pretend to lust for the Apple of non-profit technology, but we keep buying crap.
A Save Haven for Bad Ideas
An alleged mainstay of the non-profit sector is our commitment to openness. Ironically, for-profit technologies are far more open then non-profit databases.
Twitter built a powerhouse of a company by allowing third party developers to access their data and develop their own applications, as did Apple with their App store.
Ever try to get two non-profit databases to talk to each other? Good luck. These systems tend to be poorly designed by incompetent companies that want to keep non-profit organizations trapped in antiquated solutions. Their systems could not talk to one another even if they wanted to.
Good non-profit technology is driven by good ideas, and good ideas cannot come from people who do not know the sector itself. Apple is a pioneer not because it has good technological chops. Rather, Apple is at the intersection of luxury and technology. Likewise, Microsoft built an empire being at the intersection of business and technology.
It is at the intersections where real progress is made, not just in technology, but in life. Good social services are at the intersection of compassion and effectiveness. You not only care about the work you do, but you bring a business savvy to your work as well.
If you want better non-profit technology, demand that the technology vendors you work with share your values and commitment to helping lift people out of poverty. If they do, they’ll be less likely to deliver you nonsense.
My company’s technologies are used by thousands of people each month to find services, work with case managers, get housing, and improve the lives of themselves and their families. That matters to me, a lot.
Therefore, I cannot let myself produce crap. So why would you buy it?
Photo credit: Tom Woodward