App It Up is back, and it's better than ever! We're happy to announce the next stage of the App It Up project: Transforming Communities.

Uncertain whether apps can benefit your organization? Not sure what apps are out there? Feel like there isn't an app that meets your organization's needs? Have a great idea for an app but have no idea how to make it a reality? We're here to help! Join us for a free webinar on Thursday, October 25 at 11 a.m. Pacific time to learn more.

What Is Transforming Communities?

Transforming Communities is a Microsoft-funded initiative that builds on what TechSoup and Microsoft already learned through the App It Up project. Now that we know what apps nonprofits and libraries are using, and the apps they wish they had, we’re working to make that wish list a reality.

This next stage of the project is focused on creating a scalable approach to understanding the needs of nonprofits and libraries and supporting the identification (and development!) of technologies that can address those needs.

What exactly does that entail? There are several components to the project:

• App Development. We won't just be talking about apps (though we love doing that), we'll also be helping to create new apps through the Transforming Communities project. Our goal is not only to help develop apps, but to help create a sustainable model for nonprofit and library app development, distribution, and adoption.
• Supporting Communities. In conjunction with our NetSquared initiative, we'll also be helping community leaders, nonprofits, libraries, and civic-minded techies do good more efficiently. We'll even be hosting our own hackathons and challenges. Read all about our first Transforming Communities hackathon!
• App Curation. We'll also continue doing many of the things we did in the App It Up project, including identifying and sharing interesting apps, talking about how organizations are already using apps, and discussing app best practices.

Stay tuned – there are some really exciting things on the horizon.

We Want to Hear From You

Is your organization using apps? If so, please tell us about your experience in the comments.

If you're not using apps, why not? What would help your organization adopt and use apps? Is there an app you'd love to see that doesn't exist yet? Share your ideas below and register today for our upcoming webinar!