A free matching service to connect charities with international IT volunteers online has been set up by a group of technology professionals.

The service is being run by the #Charity platform, and is based in Hungary but available worldwide. It which aims to create a community of IT volunteers to help NGOs cut technology costs.

It will to connect charities with IT skilled people to work on apps, websites or online games than can facilitate fundraising. Charities interested in registering for help must input their details via LinkedIn on the #Charity website http://hashtagcharity.org/.

The platform matches volunteers’ LinkedIn profiles with charities profiles, via its SmartMatch algorithm. It will also host virtual communications to help keep projects on track.
The platform has already attracted several hundred volunteers and organised pilot projects.

It has connected Hungarian IT company Prezi with Action Against Hunger, in the US. The result was the creation of a visual and interactive story to show the impacts of ACF projects in the field. Regular check-ins and open chat windows enabled both parties to clear questions and gather feedback.

The company promises on its website to bring IT skilled ‘everyday people’ the opportunity to change the world from behind their computer screen. “At #charity we’re dedicated to redefining volunteer work by making high-impact volunteer opportunities accessible to everyone,” it said in a statement on its website.