OfficePlease Foundation (OPF) was formally established as a 501(c)(3) organization in June of 2001 by a group of Information Technology veterans.

The Foundation was originally conceived by the founders of a commercial venture as an expression of their commitment to supporting the community. Their initial vision was to provide financial support to community-based programs that promoted self-sufficiency. The founders pledged a percentage of their appreciated stock to fund this endeavor and were joined in the pledge by the majority of the series A investors.

Unfortunately, due to the financial environment at the time, additional funding was not secured. They were forced to close the doors and discontinue operations. As a result, the foundation would not have the financial resources to support the effort originally envisioned. As is often the case, when one door closes another opens and that is exactly what happened with OfficePlease Foundation.

In keeping with the spirit of the original commitment to the Foundation, the founders and Board of Directors agreed to let the Foundation acquire a license for the software developed by the commercial entity. The license was procured for the express purpose of offering the Internet based business service to non-profit organizations.

Recognizing the lack of productivity enhancing, affordable software available to non-profits, delivering the OfficePlease Service to non-profit organizations seemed a worthy mission for the Foundation. After all, the system had been designed, using best of breed technologies, to be easy-to-use, flexible and useful to a wide audience. To put the product on the shelf would be a waste of the significant effort of all who had labored to create something of quality and value.

So, we moved forward! Much of the first year was spent on research and analysis to determine how we could best serve the nonprofit community. It became clear that the digital divide between for-profit and nonprofit organizations not only still existed but continued to grow. Our research confirmed nonprofit organizations did not have adequate access to affordable, easy-to-use technology tools. The limitations in access and technical support drove us to develop our service offering.

For the better part of two years we tested our business model in an Early Adopter Program (EAP). OPF rolled out proprietary Intranet software, a proven productivity tool, to six nonprofits. The service was well received; our EAP participants immediately recognized the value and began requesting enhancements. In an effort to meet their requests, OPF partnered with a leading Intranet provider to deliver a robust and fully functioning service to nonprofits.

Through OPF, nonprofits now have access to an Intranet/Extranet service to increase their efficiency and enhance productivity. No costly purchases or technical expertise are required. OPF provides hands-on support for each organization to implement the service. In addition to the Intranet service, OPF offers technical and business consulting.

We are committed to serving all nonprofit organizations that support self-sufficiency; help underserved communities and work to improve our collective condition. Find out more

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