Security is a fundamental right,
not a luxury.
IT Sidekick commits 10-15% of capacity to pro bono work for marginalized communities. Same quality as premium clients, funded by our justice commitment.
This Is Not Charity
It's justice. Security should be accessible to everyone, regardless of budget.
of Capacity
Committed to pro bono work, built into our business model
Quality
Pro bono clients receive identical service as premium clients
Focused
Targeting underserved communities and systemic gaps
Core Principles
Dignity Through Clarity
Recipients are partners, not beneficiaries
Security as a Fundamental Right
Essential infrastructure, not "nice to have"
Justice-Focused
Targeting underserved populations and systemic gaps
Non-Negotiable Commitment
Built into business model, not add-on
Who Qualifies
Eligible Organizations
Priority Criteria
Direct service to underserved communities
Healthcare access, mental health services, employment programs, financial assistance, housing/shelter, immigration/refugee support, LGBTQ+ services, disability advocacy
Digitally marginalized populations
Organizations bridging digital divide, digital literacy programs, technology access initiatives
Social justice focus
Racial equity organizations, indigenous rights, climate justice, prison reform, reproductive justice, voting rights
Organizational constraints
No dedicated IT staff, critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities, urgent security incidents or compliance needs
Excluded Organizations
- ✗ Religious organizations (unless secular mission)
- ✗ Political campaigns or partisan organizations
- ✗ Organizations with conflicting values (discrimination, hate speech)
Services Offered
Full-Scope Services
Same scope as premium clients:
- • Managed IT services (monitoring, maintenance, patching)
- • Cybersecurity risk assessments and remediation
- • Security awareness training
- • Email security (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
- • Web security (HTTPS/TLS hardening)
- • Cloud security (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud)
- • Incident response and recovery
- • Data backup and disaster recovery planning
Limited-Scope Services
Special projects:
- • One-time security audits
- • Migration planning and support
- • Compliance preparation (GDPR, SOC 2, HIPAA)
- • Technology strategy consulting
- • IT infrastructure assessments
Community Education (Open to All)
Free cybersecurity fundamentals presentation (90 minutes)
Quarterly webinars on emerging threats
Resource guides and documentation
Application Process
Quarterly intakes: January, April, July, October
Initial Screening
Complete online application form (30-40 minutes). Includes eligibility quiz and basic information about your organization.
Documentation Review
Submit cover letter, mission, proof of nonprofit status, budget, and security needs. Our team reviews within 2 weeks of deadline.
Scoring & Interview
Top 30% of applicants advance to 30-minute interview. We discuss mission, needs, expectations, and fit.
Selection & Notification
All applicants receive response within 2 weeks of deadline. Selected: Onboarding packet. Waitlisted: Position and estimated timeline.
Applications open 2 weeks before intake deadline
How We Select Partners
We use a transparent scoring system (0-100 points) to evaluate all applications.
Alignment with Priority Criteria
Service to underserved communities, digitally marginalized populations, social justice focus, organizational constraints
Impact Potential
Lives affected, community reach, geographic scope
Urgency of Security Needs
Critical vulnerabilities, recent incidents, compliance deadlines
Capacity to Benefit
Team readiness, existing technology infrastructure, leadership commitment
Organizational Readiness
Clear documentation, defined security needs, responsive communication
Transparency & Fairness
- ✓ Blind scoring of applications (organization names removed during initial review)
- ✓ Clear documentation of decisions
- ✓ Appeals process for rejected applications
- ✓ Publicly documented criteria and scoring rubric
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this free consulting?
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We don't call it "free" or "charity." It's a partnership where you receive the same professional service as our premium clients, funded by our commitment to justice. Your invoice is $0, but we expect the same level of professionalism and partnership as any client relationship.
What's the catch?
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No catch. Security is a fundamental right. Our premium clients pay a premium (10-15% above market) precisely because they believe in funding this work. Your success is our success—we're in this together.
How long is the waitlist?
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Waitlist times vary based on capacity. We do quarterly intakes (January, April, July, October). Typical wait time: 2-4 months. We'll give you an estimated timeline when you apply.
Will I get less attention than paying clients?
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Absolutely not. You receive the same quality of service, the same tools, the same standards. The only difference is that your invoice is $0. We schedule pro bono work intentionally so it's never an afterthought.
Can I reapply after our engagement ends?
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Yes, after a 1-year gap. Our goal is to build your capacity, not create dependency. We want you to be self-sufficient, but we're here if you need support in the future.
What if I don't meet the budget criteria?
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We're flexible, especially for organizations serving particularly vulnerable communities. If you're close to the threshold, apply anyway and explain your situation in your cover letter.
Ready to partner?
Start your application. We'll review it with care and respond within 2 weeks of the deadline.
Next intake: April 2026