TechSoup Global, the U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides technology resources and knowledge to NGOs around the world, and GuideStar International, a U.K.-registered charity that promotes transparency and civil society organization reporting, announced that they will combine operations in order to strengthen their respective capacity-building programs for civil society. The two organizations share a mission to benefit global civil society through the provision of technology, information, and resources.

The TechSoup Global Network, which now reaches more than 100,000 civil society organizations in 32 countries, will gain GuideStar International’s deep expertise in making civil society organizations more visible, accountable, and effective, allowing TechSoup Global and its partners to more easily identify and reach those organizations that are working to address society’s most urgent needs.

The combined operations will focus on developing and strengthening a coordinated and sustainable global network, as well as building on-the-ground capacity in Europe. The London-based GuideStar International, along with Fundacja TechSoup, an independent foundation in Warsaw, Poland, will work closely with 14 European partners to strengthen programs and operations benefiting European civil society.

Today, GuideStar International supports a network of GuideStars in six countries with several more in active development. GuideStar International will continue to operate as a U.K.-registered charity with a focus on development and promotion of GuideStar reporting services. Over the next 24 months, TechSoup Global will take the lead in enterprise-level strategy, technology architecture, and integration. Buzz Schmidt, founder and chair of GuideStar International, will join TechSoup Global’s board of directors. There will be no disruption to the operation of the existing programs or commitments of either organization.

GuideStar USA, an independent US 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is not a party to this combination, but will work closely with TechSoup Global and GuideStar International, particularly with respect to policies underlying the development of GuideStar services internationally.