GIS technologies in the nonprofit sector

Friday, September 30, 2011

Some students who are obtaining their degree in the field of geographic information systems (GIS) may be hoping to find employment with a government agency, or in the private sector. Others will alternatively be inspired to use the knowledge they have learned as part of their GIS degree program to benefit the operation of a nonprofit organization.

Those interested in employing their GIS skills within the nonprofit sector will be pleased to learn that numerous resources are at their disposal. Information on how GIS is used by various nonprofits, details of specific organizations either specifically devoted to the technology or making notable use of it and comprehensive lists of other sources of information are all readily available and easily found.

Government information and resources regarding GIS for nonprofit organizations

When looking for information about the role of GIS in the nonprofit sectors, students taking GIS courses will find a great deal of data from agencies at various levels of government, since these civil service departments are a major source of employment for those knowledgeable in the field. These resources explain how GIS applies to the governmental and nonprofit sectors, and sometimes to both at the same time.

National States Geographic Information Council: This organization, in affiliation with the Federal Geographic Data Committee, explains in the report provided here how GIS data must be shared among government agencies, nonprofits and academic institutions in order to best contribute to the public good.

New Jersey Office of Information Technology: Among the information on this webpage is an explanation of how this New Jersey government agency provides free software to nonprofit organizations in the state, so the groups can create and maintain their own GIS data. Many other states provide similar services for their own nonprofits.

Connecticut Geospatial Information Systems Council: On this government webpage, nonprofit organizations in Connecticut are listed, notably the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition, which protects the quality of the water in the the area that shares its name.

Educational resources about the nonprofit applications of GIS

Certain educational institutions through the U.S. maintain nonprofit GIS organizations, some of which are listed below. Other resources provided are detailed, analytical examinations of how GIS technology has been, currently is and will be successfully used within the nonprofit sector.

Towson University: Within its Division of Economic and Community Outreach, this Towson, Maryland-based educational institution maintains the Center for GIS (CGIS) organization. This group offers GIS technology solutions for various private, governmental and nonprofit clients. Students pursuing their GIS degree may find similar organizations within their own college or local community.

University of North Carolina Greensboro: The abstract of this research paper explains its purpose – stating that government agencies have been considerably more quick to adopt GIS technology solutions than nonprofit groups, but that these organizations would benefit greatly by doing so.

University of Florida GeoPlan Center: Students pursuing GIS graduate programs in the Florida area will benefit from this list of state-based and national organizations that promote the use of GIS, including GISCorps, which offers pro bono GIS services to economically disadvantaged communities.

University of Missouri: Similar to the information provided in the UNC Greensboro paper, this research abstract explains how local nonprofit groups in the Boone County, Missouri area are assessed and evaluated based on their use of GIS technologies and other resources with which they are provided.

Articles explaining how nonprofits can benefit from GIS

As important as it is for students pursuing a GIS degree to learn how often nonprofit groups use GIS data, it is equally vital to have an understanding of how the technology is applied to the functioning of these organizations.

Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN): This NTEN article lists four of the best GIS tools for no-profits: Excel Geocoder, Google Spreadsheet Mapper, ArcGIS and ArcExplorer.

Directions Magazine: In this article, the editor of Directions details how various nonprofit professionals working with GIS systems set a price for their services when working for other nonprofit groups, a topic likely to be of great interest to students taking GIS courses.

Esri: The topic of this brief article is a new program provided by Esri to instruct nonprofits in the implementation of GIS data usage.

Individual organizations providing GIS data resources

Some of these groups concentrate on promoting the use of GIS in the nonprofit sector, while others provide instructional material on utilizing GIS data, and still others unite GIS users.

NonprofitGIS: As explained here, this website intends to facilitate the use of GIS data solutions by nonprofit organizations by providing information, a FAQ section, news and other resources.

MapTogether: On this page, MapTogether offers its "Illustrated Guide to Nonprofit GIS and Online Mapping," explaining GIS data basics, examples of nonprofit applications of the technology and resources for starting a nonprofit GIS, all of which will be useful to GIS program students.

GreenInfo Network: An example of a GIS nonprofit, this group provides GIS solutions for conservation, social advocacy and environmental organizations.

Colorado Nonprofit Association: This organization uses GIS to help its users find officially registered nonprofit groups in their area. Students who have just finished GIS graduate programs and are looking for employment may be able to find similar programs in their community or state.