There is no denying the fact that digital technology, especially web-based and mobile technology, has tremendously transformed the way we interact, the way we do day-to-day business. are quickly adopting technologies to improve their performance, their productivity, their reach to customers and beneficiaries. Every day, we hear of new terminologies like e-commerce, e-Government, e-Parliament, and
such other “e-solutions”. Most importantly, digital technology is also rapidly shaping the way the non-profit sector is doing ‘business.’ International, regional and local non-governmental organizations – including Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), or Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), or Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPOs) – are striving to ensure that they leverage on the power these technologies possess in changing the lives of people especially in the marginalized communities in Africa, Asia and elsewhere. Social media is one classic example that has become an essential tool for nonprofits, radically helping nonprofit organizations to connect with their audience on a personal level and providing an opportunity to increase visibility of their causes. It is a very competitive landscape, but also a fine opportunity for nonprofits to tell their story, engage their supporters, and drive donations. The Global Web Index 2015 report reveals that an average a person has five social media accounts and spends 100 minutes browsing them every day. There are many factors causing many of these small nonprofits in Africa failing to adopt and utilize these tools affectively. But key among them are the very low literacy levels among nonprofit workers; a lack of enabling legislative environments that promote the use of these tools among nonprofits; a lack of deliberate programs or empowerment initiatives on the ground; just to mention a few. Currently, there are not many such specialised charitable initiatives, especially in Africa, established to support other nonprofits to achieve their respective goals through raising awareness (literacy) about these web and mobile technologies. First Web Foundation, therefore, seeks to fill this yawning gap.
