Newsletters

Common Connection

Volume 4, Number 4: January 1, 2004

This archived newsletter is from Harbinger Partners, before it joined forces with the Corporate Volunteer Network to become Common Impact.

It was great getting to work with different people and groups that you don't interact with on a regular basis...It was a difference of cultures for sure--interesting to interact with [the nonprofit], a good experience, and one of those things where you probably don't immediately recognize the value of--interacting with folks in such a different environment--but over time you see how it's changed your perspective and opened your eyes to something new.

-- A technology volunteer, reflecting on his recent participation in the Technology Pioneers Program

Our Technology Pioneers: An Update on Progress to Date

Apply Now…Just Two Weeks Left!

There are only a few days left to apply for the spring round of the Technology Pioneers Program! The deadline is January 15th, so start the new year out right by visiting our website at http://www.harbingerpartners.org/go/np/apply/ to learn how your nonprofit organization can best use technology to meet your mission.

Welcome, Winter Technology Pioneers!

Harbinger Partners recently started five additional nonprofits in the Technology Pioneers Program, who were selected during the application process this past summer. Congratulations to these inspiring organizations!

• Boston Learning Center

Boston Learning Center transforms motivation and promotes ownership of the learning process in middle school and high school students so that they can realize their full potential in school and in life. The Boston Learning Center challenges the culture of "cool to be street smart" but not to be "school smart", dismantling underachievement in Boston's middle and high schools and replacing it with an exciting new paradigm promoting energetic self-development for high academic achievement and lifelong success.

• Cambridge Arts Council

Cambridge Arts Council is the official arts agency for the City of Cambridge, with a mission of ensuring that the arts remain vital for people living, working, and visiting the city. CAC stimulates public awareness of and support for the arts, preserves and celebrates the City's diverse cultural heritage, displays art in public places, and develops opportunities to improve the overall aesthetic experience for residents and visitors of Cambridge.

• Holden School

The Holden School provides high quality special education and counseling to students in grades six through twelve, with the objective of returning students to a mainstream setting or graduating students with the education and life skills needed in the workplace or in higher education.

• Lazarus House

Lazarus House restores dignity and self-respect to empower guests to move out of poverty and crisis and to become productive members of the community. Lazarus House touches the lives of the poor, homeless, and nearly homeless by providing hot meals, temporary shelter, job training, child care, emergency food, clothing, outreach, and advocacy.

• Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services is committed to improving the quality of life and maintaining the dignity and independence of older people in Somerville and Cambridge. It helps older people remain safe and independent in their own homes by providing aging information, advice, and a wide range of supportive services.

Many Thanks

We can't ever thank our friends enough! We wouldn't have gotten here without their generous help. Specifically, we want to thank:

The Boston Foundation for their generous gift of $25,000. These funds will enable us to pilot an exciting new program this spring. Keep your eyes peeled for more news about this project!

Each and every one of our loyal friends that donated to Harbinger Partners during the holiday season! We are honored to be included in your annual giving and wish you all a healthy and happy new year.

What's News...

New Grant Opportunity for Nonprofit Microenterprise Development Programs!

Hewlett Packard continues its work helping to close the gap between technology-empowered and technology-excluded communities through the Microenterprise Development Program. They recently released a request for proposals to participate in the program, with grant awards of up to $150,000 to $200,000 in equipment, cash, services, and support! See http://grants.hp.com/us/programs/micro_index.html for more details. Hurry and check it out, because proposals must be submitted online by January 23, 2004.

Best of the Web

This month, we point your attention to the Independent Sector's Public Policy site (http://www.independentsector.org/programs/gr/govrelat.html). With recent information about pertinent bills, government funding, and tax issues, the website is a good way to keep updated about larger issues affecting the nonprofit sector.

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The Small Print

Thank you for reading the quarterly newsletter of Common Impact! We welcome your comments and contributions. Please send all inquiries to:

Common Impact
Space With A Soul
285 Summer Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: (617) 492-3105
E-Mail: info@commonimpact.org