Eight area nonprofits will get a technological upgrade thanks to a new grant program from Hewlett-Packard Co.

The HP Technology for Community grants, valued at about $17,000 apiece, include a package of mobile computing hardware, training in setting up a wireless network and a $1,000 cash stipend.

“We recognize as a company how prevalent mobile and wireless technology has become,” said Camilla Nelson, the philanthropy program manager for the Palo Alto, Calif.-based technology company. “But the case has been that nonprofits tend to lag slightly in technology adoption.”

The company awarded 104 grants to organizations around the country in the program’s first year.

Mid-valley nonprofits receiving grants were Home Life Inc., the Benton County Commission for the Prevention of Child Abuse, the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence, Community Outreach Inc., Corvallis Neighborhood Housing Services, Community Services Consortium, The Arc of Benton County and Mighty Oaks Children’s Therapy Center.

Each organization will get five HP notebook computers, one tablet computer, one iPaq handheld computer, a wireless-ready copier-scanner-printer-fax machine, a portable digital projector, a digital camera bundle and a wireless access point.

The emphasis, arrived at in consultation with nonprofit groups, is on mobile technology that lets agency staff members operate more effectively outside the office.

“The most significant need that was expressed was the ability for employees to work remotely,” Nelson said.

Hewlett-Packard will follow up with quarterly surveys of the grant recipients and some in-depth case studies to see exactly how the technology is being used. The company will share its findings with nonprofits to help them make the most of their newfound mobile computing power.

“This really is our idea of research,” Nelson said.

The application process for next year has not yet been worked out, Nelson said, but details probably will be posted on the company’s Web site in the fall. Information about HP’s charitable giving programs is available online at www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants/us/programs/index.html.