Serve small organizations
Voluntech is especially useful for grassroots groups, schools, libraries, and nonprofits that need trusted technology help but do not have dedicated technical staff.
About
A simple idea worth bringing back.
Voluntech began in 1998 as a way to connect technically skilled volunteers with nonprofit organizations that needed practical help. This revival keeps that spirit and updates the tools.
Mission
Technology work can be civic work.
Many organizations doing essential local work need help with small, practical technology problems. Many technology professionals want to contribute but need a clear, bounded way to begin.
Voluntech exists to close that gap: frame the work, connect the people, and help local communities benefit from professional technology skills.
History
From one useful database to a citywide volunteer network.
The original spark came from a project at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House in Manhattan, where a volunteer-built database helped staff track participants, report outcomes, and make a stronger case for support.
Software engineer Carl Goldschmidt founded Voluntech.org in 1998 after seeing how much focused technology help could matter. Eric Hancock and James Brooks soon joined him in running the group. Within eighteen months, more than 80 volunteers were working with almost 40 nonprofit organizations.
The projects were deliberately practical: websites, databases, internet classes, hardware setup, mailing-list tools, and other work that small organizations often needed but could not easily afford. The old rule was simple and still guides the revival: make projects manageable, with an end in sight.
Respect volunteer time
Good volunteer projects are bounded by a clear outcome, a realistic commitment, and enough context for someone new to help responsibly.
Build local capacity
The goal is not only to fix a tool. It is to leave an organization more capable, more confident, and better connected to people nearby.