BiG Tech: Bridging the Digital Divide
BiG Tech is the key technology philanthropy program of NF. Under this program, NGOs receive software and hardware at very subsidized rates. The program was conceived to assists NGOs cut their ICT budget as well as functionally scale up their operations and ICT projects by providing them access to the software donation programs of our donor partners. It makes technology assistance accessible to any NGO in India with just a click. BiG Tech was launched in August 2007 and at present it has five donors on board—Microsoft, Eagle conferencing , Bytes of Learning, Busy Infotech and Quick Heal (anti-virus).

The main aims are:
	To facilitate NGOs to have easier access to technology—both hardware and software.
	To encourage technology companies to donate their products and services for NGOs and non-profits in India.

The BiG Tech portal (www.bigtech.in) is a convenient and transparent portal that enables Indian as well as foreign technology companies to reach out to the million plus NGO community in India. Technology companies can use the BiG Tech portal as a part of their CSR objective by donating hardware and software. Microsoft was the first donor on this platform for India and several others are in the anvil. NASSCOM Foundation delivers our program in India in partnership with TechSoup, a US-based organization.

How it works
An NGO that is interested for software donations applies online to NF. NF through its network of partners and outreach, does a due diligence on the applicant and based on the set criteria qualifies the NGO(s) for the grant.

For the technology company that is interested to donate products, this becomes an effective channel for a scalable model of private-civil society partnership for their CSR efforts, at the same time enhance the outreach of their technology products and bring goodwill. Technology companies can use the BiG Tech portal as a part of their CSR objective by donating hardware and software. Microsoft was the first donor on this platform for India and several others are on the anvil.

Snapshot
	Over 300 registered NGO's
	Number of products donated – 3188
	Software donated worth - 27.8 million
	Big Tech reach covers 138 districts in over 26 states across India
	Catering to various areas of focus (‘activity code’)

For more details on BiG Tech please visit http://www.bigtech.in