Staying Safe Outdoors Thanks to Donated Software
Helping people spend time outdoors safely is important to the North America Outdoor Institute (NAOI). In 2004, NAOI launched "Be Snow Smart," a program designed to teach participants how to recognize potential avalanche danger in Alaska. The program has since seen a 30 percent decline in the number of avalanche fatalities.
By 2007, the organization found itself overwhelmed with managing its database of 500 members, and spending a lot of time trying to organize and track basic information. Simplifying these tasks required outside help. When NAOI learned about the TechSoup software donation program, it immediately signed up. A donation of Microsoft Office, which includes Word, Excel, Publisher, Outlook, and OneNote, was exactly what NAOI was looking for. With administrative tasks made easier, the organization's staff has been able to devote more time to teaching outdoor safety skills. Since then, NAOI's member database has grown to more than 10,000. The organization has reached more than 20,000 individuals directly with interactive programs and information.
