Following up on yesterday’s post, here is some specific info about why being on LinkedIn is a good idea.
An excerpt.
“1. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 120 million members in over 200 countries and territories.
"While Facebook has 750,000 million users, many professionals prefer to use it exclusively for personal purposes. A recent study by Lab 42 showed that that 61% of people surveyed used LinkedIn for professional networking, compared to 22% for Facebook and 4% for Twitter.
“Professionals who are already using Twitter can set up their LinkedIn updates to appear in their Twitter feed and vice versa, so the two networks complement each other.
“As of July, 2011, Google + had already gained 20 million users, and it could become increasingly valuable over time. All the top social networks strive to add more features and gain new users, so there’s no guarantee that LinkedIn will be a useful network over the long term, but for now, it’s the best choice for most people who use social networking for professional purposes.
“2. LinkedIn helps professionals stay connected or to reconnect with people they already know, as well as get to know new people.
"It also provides opportunities for professionals to exchange knowledge and resources and be part of a broader network of people with similar interests.
“3. Nonprofits can create free “Company Pages” on LinkedIn to create visibility for their brand.
"The company pages also make it easier for non-profit organizations to promote their products and services, as well as get people to “follow” them and post:
status updates
job opportunities
news mentions
new hires
tweets
blog posts
“Over 101,000 organizations currently have a company page on LinkedIn.”
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Monday, October 3, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Social Media
Some good advice about using social media from Third Sector New England.
An excerpt.
“If you post a message on Twitter and no one’s there to hear it, does it make a noise?
“The fact is, there isn’t much reason to tweet if you don’t have an audience—a fundamental truth of all social media channels. As you think about ways to engage constituents and advance your nonprofit and its mission through Facebook, Twitter and blogs, you should also be thinking about how to promote each channel and build your audience.
“Whether you call them “friends,” “fans,” “subscribers” or “followers,” they all mean the same thing for the purposes of this article: you need an audience for any social media strategy to work. The good news is, because of the network effect, attracting a few followers can often increase your potential audience exponentially—the very nature of social media makes it easy for your friends to spread the word to their own networks of friends, and so on.
“So how do you attract people to “like” your Facebook page, follow your Twitter feed or subscribe to your blog? We’ll walk through the key steps one-by-one.
“1. Ensure There’s Something Worth Paying Attention To
It should go without saying that if you want people to pay attention, post something they’ll find useful and relevant. This is true of all communications, not just social media.
“If you’re launching a new blog or Twitter account, start out by posting a few interesting things—even though no one is “listening” yet—to show the audience you hope to gain that your resources might interest them.
“How do you know what will interest the type of people you’d like to follow you? Ask them. Find a good representative sample of your desired audience and start a discussion with them, through conversations, phone interviews or a survey, about what kinds of posts they’d like to read.
“2. Seed Your Community
No one is ever drawn to an empty restaurant, no matter how good the food. Social media is similar—even with brilliant content, it’s difficult to attract supporters to a site that no one else is following.
“Reach out to your staff and other core supporters of your organization and ask them to follow your tweets, or “like” your Facebook page—and to invite their personal friends.
“Getting them to post comments or reply to your posts can help show an active community. A small, critical mass of followers will make it easier to attract others to your channel.
“3. Include Social Media Information with Your General Contact Information
Once you have a few core posts and a reputable-looking number of supporters, it’s time to open the doors to the general public. An easy way to begin doing this is to add your social media profile information anywhere your contact information is given. A Facebook or Twitter logo on your website can link people directly to your pages, and if you have a blog, make sure people can easily find it through your website.
“Email signature lines are often overlooked as useful places to distribute information. You put your title, phone number and email address there—why not include a link to your Facebook page and your Twitter profile?
“Part of getting people to be part of your social community is simply letting people know you have one.”
An excerpt.
“If you post a message on Twitter and no one’s there to hear it, does it make a noise?
“The fact is, there isn’t much reason to tweet if you don’t have an audience—a fundamental truth of all social media channels. As you think about ways to engage constituents and advance your nonprofit and its mission through Facebook, Twitter and blogs, you should also be thinking about how to promote each channel and build your audience.
“Whether you call them “friends,” “fans,” “subscribers” or “followers,” they all mean the same thing for the purposes of this article: you need an audience for any social media strategy to work. The good news is, because of the network effect, attracting a few followers can often increase your potential audience exponentially—the very nature of social media makes it easy for your friends to spread the word to their own networks of friends, and so on.
“So how do you attract people to “like” your Facebook page, follow your Twitter feed or subscribe to your blog? We’ll walk through the key steps one-by-one.
“1. Ensure There’s Something Worth Paying Attention To
It should go without saying that if you want people to pay attention, post something they’ll find useful and relevant. This is true of all communications, not just social media.
“If you’re launching a new blog or Twitter account, start out by posting a few interesting things—even though no one is “listening” yet—to show the audience you hope to gain that your resources might interest them.
“How do you know what will interest the type of people you’d like to follow you? Ask them. Find a good representative sample of your desired audience and start a discussion with them, through conversations, phone interviews or a survey, about what kinds of posts they’d like to read.
“2. Seed Your Community
No one is ever drawn to an empty restaurant, no matter how good the food. Social media is similar—even with brilliant content, it’s difficult to attract supporters to a site that no one else is following.
“Reach out to your staff and other core supporters of your organization and ask them to follow your tweets, or “like” your Facebook page—and to invite their personal friends.
“Getting them to post comments or reply to your posts can help show an active community. A small, critical mass of followers will make it easier to attract others to your channel.
“3. Include Social Media Information with Your General Contact Information
Once you have a few core posts and a reputable-looking number of supporters, it’s time to open the doors to the general public. An easy way to begin doing this is to add your social media profile information anywhere your contact information is given. A Facebook or Twitter logo on your website can link people directly to your pages, and if you have a blog, make sure people can easily find it through your website.
“Email signature lines are often overlooked as useful places to distribute information. You put your title, phone number and email address there—why not include a link to your Facebook page and your Twitter profile?
“Part of getting people to be part of your social community is simply letting people know you have one.”
Friday, September 23, 2011
Fundraising Strategies
The bottom-line in any effective fundraising strategy is communication.
Communicating with your donor community, communicating with the larger community, communicating what it is about your mission that is important and how you are fulfilling it, and this article from Communications Magazine is excellent.
An excerpt.
“You’ve done your homework. You know your pitch. You believe in your mission, and understand the reasons donors give your organization. Even so, you may feel that your fundraising has plateaued… that you’re stuck in a rut or missing out on key giving opportunities. Many times, you may simply feel a sense of malaise – that no matter how much you try, you aren’t leveling up.
“Today, we offer you nine great ideas for powering back on, and taking your fundraising game to a whole new level:
“1. Turn off the Computer and Pick up the Phone
The next time you are getting ready to send out an e-mail, I want you to stop – turn off the computer – and pick up the phone. Instead of e-mailing that donor, prospect, board member or community leader, pick up the phone and call. It’s far more personal and has lasting positive effects on the relationship.
“2. Join a New Networking Organization
Running out of new people to talk with about your organization? Join a new networking group. It could be a local chamber of commerce, the Kiwanis club, your college alumni association, a business group… whatever it is, join and start going to meetings to connect with more people.
“3. Jump on Social Networks with Renewed Vigor
You may have started that Twitter account, LinkedIn Group or Facebook company page with the best of intentions, but as time went on, your interest may have waned, you got discouraged, or simply stopped participating. Now is the time to reengage!
“4. Listen to Your Staff and Volunteers
When was the last time you asked for – and listened to – new fundraising ideas from your staff and volunteers? Get them into the room and ask them for ideas: What should we try? Who should we talk to? What can I do to help you?
“5. Take Your 5 Smallest Donors Out to Lunch
Everyone takes their biggest donors out to networking lunches – and you should too – but have you thought about taking your 5 smallest donors out to lunch? You know, those old ladies who give $50 a year to your annual appeal or those young professionals right out of college who give $25 because they saw an ad for your organization online? Call ‘em up, take ‘em out to lunch, and see what motivates them to give. Maybe they could give more? Maybe they have friends who would want to give? Maybe they will just be shocked that you called… It was only $25 after all!”
Communicating with your donor community, communicating with the larger community, communicating what it is about your mission that is important and how you are fulfilling it, and this article from Communications Magazine is excellent.
An excerpt.
“You’ve done your homework. You know your pitch. You believe in your mission, and understand the reasons donors give your organization. Even so, you may feel that your fundraising has plateaued… that you’re stuck in a rut or missing out on key giving opportunities. Many times, you may simply feel a sense of malaise – that no matter how much you try, you aren’t leveling up.
“Today, we offer you nine great ideas for powering back on, and taking your fundraising game to a whole new level:
“1. Turn off the Computer and Pick up the Phone
The next time you are getting ready to send out an e-mail, I want you to stop – turn off the computer – and pick up the phone. Instead of e-mailing that donor, prospect, board member or community leader, pick up the phone and call. It’s far more personal and has lasting positive effects on the relationship.
“2. Join a New Networking Organization
Running out of new people to talk with about your organization? Join a new networking group. It could be a local chamber of commerce, the Kiwanis club, your college alumni association, a business group… whatever it is, join and start going to meetings to connect with more people.
“3. Jump on Social Networks with Renewed Vigor
You may have started that Twitter account, LinkedIn Group or Facebook company page with the best of intentions, but as time went on, your interest may have waned, you got discouraged, or simply stopped participating. Now is the time to reengage!
“4. Listen to Your Staff and Volunteers
When was the last time you asked for – and listened to – new fundraising ideas from your staff and volunteers? Get them into the room and ask them for ideas: What should we try? Who should we talk to? What can I do to help you?
“5. Take Your 5 Smallest Donors Out to Lunch
Everyone takes their biggest donors out to networking lunches – and you should too – but have you thought about taking your 5 smallest donors out to lunch? You know, those old ladies who give $50 a year to your annual appeal or those young professionals right out of college who give $25 because they saw an ad for your organization online? Call ‘em up, take ‘em out to lunch, and see what motivates them to give. Maybe they could give more? Maybe they have friends who would want to give? Maybe they will just be shocked that you called… It was only $25 after all!”
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Websites, Our Front Porch
They are just that for most nonprofits and they should be inviting the visitor to actually knock on the door, wanting to come in and stay awhile, as this article from Nonprofit About.com reports.
An excerpt.
“Even after reading about it, I don't understand a Weibull Distribution and really don't even care. But the latest news from Jakob Nielsen's wonky Alertbox is still very useful when trying to figure out how to keep your visitors on your webpages long enough to count.
“Visitors don't stay very long...period.
“It turns out that the average webpage visitor stays less than a minute. But, if the reader finds your webpage "valuable," he or she may stay longer. What counts are the first 10 seconds! That's when we "triage" the information and make a snap decision about its value to us.
“Once the webpage survives the 10 second mark, it's likely your reader will hang around a bit, at least for another 20 or 30 seconds. If they stay beyond that, they might even hang out there for a couple of minutes or more.
“Why is this important? Turns out that search engines love high quality webpages that keep readers around. The longer they stay, the higher your page is likely to rank in a search.”
An excerpt.
“Even after reading about it, I don't understand a Weibull Distribution and really don't even care. But the latest news from Jakob Nielsen's wonky Alertbox is still very useful when trying to figure out how to keep your visitors on your webpages long enough to count.
“Visitors don't stay very long...period.
“It turns out that the average webpage visitor stays less than a minute. But, if the reader finds your webpage "valuable," he or she may stay longer. What counts are the first 10 seconds! That's when we "triage" the information and make a snap decision about its value to us.
“Once the webpage survives the 10 second mark, it's likely your reader will hang around a bit, at least for another 20 or 30 seconds. If they stay beyond that, they might even hang out there for a couple of minutes or more.
“Why is this important? Turns out that search engines love high quality webpages that keep readers around. The longer they stay, the higher your page is likely to rank in a search.”
Monday, September 12, 2011
Nonprofits and Information Technology
A good article about this—with several resources linked—from the Foundation Center.
An excerpt, with links at the jump.
“PND: How has the Great Recession affected the information technology field, and what has that meant for nonprofits?
“Stephanie Cuskley: From my perspective, and based on conversations I've had with others in the field, the recession has forced everyone to throttle back on their IT spending. At the same time, companies have started to think about how IT is not just a cost but a strategic initiative that drives who we are and what we do.
“Today, I think there's a lot more focus on IT as an innovation opportunity as opposed to just a line-item for corporations, and I think nonprofits feel the same way. However, IT is not something nonprofits get a lot of funding for, so most cover their IT expenses by carving out funds from other places. Generally, when they lose funding, nonprofits are forced to look at how they could do IT cheaply while still driving their mission forward. I think that's one reason why so many organizations have taken to social media. They're searching for innovative ideas and are more interested in implementing them. Nonprofits today are saying "Yes, I will look at cloud computing" because it and other online tools are cheaper, have some flexibility, and help organizations increase their reach.
“PND: Since 2002, NPower's Technology Service Corps has helped underserved high school graduates in New York City become IT professionals. With the unemployment rate stuck at 9.2 percent, what's the outlook for hiring and salaries for recent graduates entering the field?
“SC: Actually, the IT world is in pretty good shape right now. People are hiring and we have seen incredible response from the corporate community and continued good response from nonprofits for our graduates. I think we're benefiting from the fact that the IT community is pretty robust. It is taking the nonprofit community much longer to recover from the recession than it has the for-profit IT community, because government budgets, which support a lot of nonprofits, are still weak.
“PND: Last November, you launched The Community Corps to connect IT volunteers to nonprofits with IT needs. How is TCC different from portals like VolunteerMatch or the federal site United We Serve, and how are they similar?
“SC: TCC is focused exclusively on the IT field and is project-oriented. NPower scopes out the IT projects included on TCC, which users of the site — nonprofits, public schools, and libraries — can use or create on their own. The site's automated matching algorithm then matches a volunteer who has the skills and interest to a group in need.
“The site is similar to other online volunteer portals because it is highly scalable. Like VolunteerMatch, which includes listings from across the country, TCC has expanded to thirty-eight states since its launch. With the help of NPower's corporate sponsors, the site has grown exponentially over the past seven months. For example, one sponsor that joined the site recently sent a note out to its employees and in four days two hundred volunteers signed up, resulting in forty matches and forty nonprofits getting free IT help.”
An excerpt, with links at the jump.
“PND: How has the Great Recession affected the information technology field, and what has that meant for nonprofits?
“Stephanie Cuskley: From my perspective, and based on conversations I've had with others in the field, the recession has forced everyone to throttle back on their IT spending. At the same time, companies have started to think about how IT is not just a cost but a strategic initiative that drives who we are and what we do.
“Today, I think there's a lot more focus on IT as an innovation opportunity as opposed to just a line-item for corporations, and I think nonprofits feel the same way. However, IT is not something nonprofits get a lot of funding for, so most cover their IT expenses by carving out funds from other places. Generally, when they lose funding, nonprofits are forced to look at how they could do IT cheaply while still driving their mission forward. I think that's one reason why so many organizations have taken to social media. They're searching for innovative ideas and are more interested in implementing them. Nonprofits today are saying "Yes, I will look at cloud computing" because it and other online tools are cheaper, have some flexibility, and help organizations increase their reach.
“PND: Since 2002, NPower's Technology Service Corps has helped underserved high school graduates in New York City become IT professionals. With the unemployment rate stuck at 9.2 percent, what's the outlook for hiring and salaries for recent graduates entering the field?
“SC: Actually, the IT world is in pretty good shape right now. People are hiring and we have seen incredible response from the corporate community and continued good response from nonprofits for our graduates. I think we're benefiting from the fact that the IT community is pretty robust. It is taking the nonprofit community much longer to recover from the recession than it has the for-profit IT community, because government budgets, which support a lot of nonprofits, are still weak.
“PND: Last November, you launched The Community Corps to connect IT volunteers to nonprofits with IT needs. How is TCC different from portals like VolunteerMatch or the federal site United We Serve, and how are they similar?
“SC: TCC is focused exclusively on the IT field and is project-oriented. NPower scopes out the IT projects included on TCC, which users of the site — nonprofits, public schools, and libraries — can use or create on their own. The site's automated matching algorithm then matches a volunteer who has the skills and interest to a group in need.
“The site is similar to other online volunteer portals because it is highly scalable. Like VolunteerMatch, which includes listings from across the country, TCC has expanded to thirty-eight states since its launch. With the help of NPower's corporate sponsors, the site has grown exponentially over the past seven months. For example, one sponsor that joined the site recently sent a note out to its employees and in four days two hundred volunteers signed up, resulting in forty matches and forty nonprofits getting free IT help.”
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Nonprofit Websites
They are the front porch of most nonprofits and it is vital that they be kept spruced up and inviting, as this article from Nonprofit About.com writes.
An excerpt.
“I finally gave up on finding any information online about nearby senior centers for my neighbor. There was next to no information online, and certainly no websites.
“I then looked for senior centers in the next county and found wonderful sites for each of the several centers with photos of volunteers, activities, and facilities. My neighbor started going to one that was just over our county line and really not too far away. Our city's senior centers were out of luck.
“A website for a nonprofit or a government organization is a given by now. You simply do not exist if you are not findable online. People (of all ages) search for what they want online.
“However, some nonprofits think that if they just put up a static site, that will be enough. But, in truth, those may be worse than not having one. A website should be living, dynamic and energetic. It should reflect your organization's personality and mission through great photos, copy, and design.
“There are three reasons so many websites lack any spark, and they don't have anything to do with bells and whistles such as flash, videos, or twitter feeds:
"1. Outdated information. Consider the message you send if your website has not been touched in months. Fresh, lively content should be added at least weekly. New photos should be mixed in at least every couple of months. Blogs should be updated at least twice a week and more if possible.
"An easy way to refresh a website without changing everything is to provide a feature area on the home page for a short article and photo of something new at your nonprofit. A preview of an upcoming event; an update of a fundraising campaign; a heart warming story of a client helped; a profile of a long-time donor. These can all be slotted in at regular intervals while the bulk of your site stays basically the same.”
An excerpt.
“I finally gave up on finding any information online about nearby senior centers for my neighbor. There was next to no information online, and certainly no websites.
“I then looked for senior centers in the next county and found wonderful sites for each of the several centers with photos of volunteers, activities, and facilities. My neighbor started going to one that was just over our county line and really not too far away. Our city's senior centers were out of luck.
“A website for a nonprofit or a government organization is a given by now. You simply do not exist if you are not findable online. People (of all ages) search for what they want online.
“However, some nonprofits think that if they just put up a static site, that will be enough. But, in truth, those may be worse than not having one. A website should be living, dynamic and energetic. It should reflect your organization's personality and mission through great photos, copy, and design.
“There are three reasons so many websites lack any spark, and they don't have anything to do with bells and whistles such as flash, videos, or twitter feeds:
"1. Outdated information. Consider the message you send if your website has not been touched in months. Fresh, lively content should be added at least weekly. New photos should be mixed in at least every couple of months. Blogs should be updated at least twice a week and more if possible.
"An easy way to refresh a website without changing everything is to provide a feature area on the home page for a short article and photo of something new at your nonprofit. A preview of an upcoming event; an update of a fundraising campaign; a heart warming story of a client helped; a profile of a long-time donor. These can all be slotted in at regular intervals while the bulk of your site stays basically the same.”
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Social Media
Using it to help with your nonprofit needs to follow the three basic guidelines for the results you want in your use of any media, and this article from GuideStar reminds us of what those are.
An excerpt.
“Most nonprofits understand the potential power of social media to connect with both old and new supporters, advocates, and clients. But few nonprofits can articulate the strategy behind the time they spend on blogging, Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.
“All good communications strategies start with a goal: What are you trying to accomplish via your communications? More specifically with social media, what do you want the reaction to be when someone reads your blog, or Facebook status update, or tweet?
“I think the answer boils down to three basic choices for nonprofits. You want people to DO something, to THINK something, or to FEEL something.
“DO Something. Your words are calling them to some kind of action. Donate, volunteer, call your legislator, register, and tell a friend are all common examples of nonprofits asking supporters to do something.
“THINK Something. Your words are sharing something helpful or educational. You share a link to a news article or to a free download. You share an interesting fact or story. You offer some how-to instructions or tips. By sharing these updates, you hope readers will think about what you have presented.
“FEEL Something. Your words show the human side of your organization and prove that there really are passionate people behind the 501(c)(whatever you are). You are building rapport by sharing content that makes your supporters laugh, cry, smile, feel included, or swell with pride. Never discount the value of building that human rapport. As Dr. Maya Angelou says, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
“Strive for a mix of these three outcomes as your write for social media.”
An excerpt.
“Most nonprofits understand the potential power of social media to connect with both old and new supporters, advocates, and clients. But few nonprofits can articulate the strategy behind the time they spend on blogging, Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.
“All good communications strategies start with a goal: What are you trying to accomplish via your communications? More specifically with social media, what do you want the reaction to be when someone reads your blog, or Facebook status update, or tweet?
“I think the answer boils down to three basic choices for nonprofits. You want people to DO something, to THINK something, or to FEEL something.
“DO Something. Your words are calling them to some kind of action. Donate, volunteer, call your legislator, register, and tell a friend are all common examples of nonprofits asking supporters to do something.
“THINK Something. Your words are sharing something helpful or educational. You share a link to a news article or to a free download. You share an interesting fact or story. You offer some how-to instructions or tips. By sharing these updates, you hope readers will think about what you have presented.
“FEEL Something. Your words show the human side of your organization and prove that there really are passionate people behind the 501(c)(whatever you are). You are building rapport by sharing content that makes your supporters laugh, cry, smile, feel included, or swell with pride. Never discount the value of building that human rapport. As Dr. Maya Angelou says, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
“Strive for a mix of these three outcomes as your write for social media.”
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Online Donations
A good article from Nonprofit About.com for those organizations whose websites offer this.
An excerpt.
“All the great marketing copy, email solicitations, and earnest pleadings can and do fail once a donor gets to the donation page on your website.
“It happens to all of us all the time. Just think of the times you've abandoned your shopping cart at your favorite online shopping sites. Somehow, we just don't convert to being an actual buyer. The same thing happens with your donation page. It might not get the would-be donor over that leap of faith to the actual donation.
“Convio, a leading supplier of donor software to nonprofits, and Donordigital, a consultancy specializing in online fundraising, recently explored the factors that might influence a would-be donor to become an actual donor once he or she lands on your web donation form.
“In "Beyond Best Practices," a study of the donation pages of seven large nonprofits, the two companies tweaked and tested a number of donor page elements. The goal was to determine how to improve the user experience for existing audiences on donation landing pages to increase conversion.
“According to the researchers, "...a typical web donation page that has never been tested converts less than 15 percent of the visitors that reach it." Just think of the money your organization might be leaving on the table by not testing your donation page.
“The Convio/Donordigital study found that there was no "single set of changes to a donation form...that's guaranteed to work for every organization." However it did reveal the elements on those forms that most influence conversion. Just knowing that could make your own testing easier.”
An excerpt.
“All the great marketing copy, email solicitations, and earnest pleadings can and do fail once a donor gets to the donation page on your website.
“It happens to all of us all the time. Just think of the times you've abandoned your shopping cart at your favorite online shopping sites. Somehow, we just don't convert to being an actual buyer. The same thing happens with your donation page. It might not get the would-be donor over that leap of faith to the actual donation.
“Convio, a leading supplier of donor software to nonprofits, and Donordigital, a consultancy specializing in online fundraising, recently explored the factors that might influence a would-be donor to become an actual donor once he or she lands on your web donation form.
“In "Beyond Best Practices," a study of the donation pages of seven large nonprofits, the two companies tweaked and tested a number of donor page elements. The goal was to determine how to improve the user experience for existing audiences on donation landing pages to increase conversion.
“According to the researchers, "...a typical web donation page that has never been tested converts less than 15 percent of the visitors that reach it." Just think of the money your organization might be leaving on the table by not testing your donation page.
“The Convio/Donordigital study found that there was no "single set of changes to a donation form...that's guaranteed to work for every organization." However it did reveal the elements on those forms that most influence conversion. Just knowing that could make your own testing easier.”
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Social Entrepreneurship Lights the Dark
These kinds of innovations, as reported by Fast Company, just leave one gasping 'get-atta-here' at times, Bravo!
An excerpt, with photo and links at the jump.
“We have lightbulbs made from glowing metal filaments, fluorescent gas, and LED diodes. And now we have one made of water. There is also a virtually unlimited supply since the "bulb" is composed of nothing more than one-liter plastic bottle, water, and bleach. The simple technology can be installed in less than an hour, lasts for five years, and is equivalent to a 60-watt bulb.
“It works simply: The water defracts the light, letting it spread throughout the house instead of focusing on one point. The bleach keeps the water clear and microbe-free.
“Developed by students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology focused on "appropriate technologies," the solar bottle bulb is illuminating poor settlements across the Philippines, where the organization Isang Litrong Liwanag ("A Liter of Light") has already installed 10,000 of them. “With the Solar Bottle Bulb project, a brighter Philippines is going to become a reality,” Illac Diaz, a social entrepreneur installing the bulbs, told a Filipino publication. You can watch a video of the bulbs in action here.
“Millions of poor homes in Manila--and far more around the world--are left in the dark because metal roofs block all light and there are no connections to the electrical grid in cramped informal settlements. This simple bottle bulb, installed through a sealed hole cut in the metal roofs, provides a surprising amount of light by deflecting sunlight into gloomy interiors.”
An excerpt, with photo and links at the jump.
“We have lightbulbs made from glowing metal filaments, fluorescent gas, and LED diodes. And now we have one made of water. There is also a virtually unlimited supply since the "bulb" is composed of nothing more than one-liter plastic bottle, water, and bleach. The simple technology can be installed in less than an hour, lasts for five years, and is equivalent to a 60-watt bulb.
“It works simply: The water defracts the light, letting it spread throughout the house instead of focusing on one point. The bleach keeps the water clear and microbe-free.
“Developed by students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology focused on "appropriate technologies," the solar bottle bulb is illuminating poor settlements across the Philippines, where the organization Isang Litrong Liwanag ("A Liter of Light") has already installed 10,000 of them. “With the Solar Bottle Bulb project, a brighter Philippines is going to become a reality,” Illac Diaz, a social entrepreneur installing the bulbs, told a Filipino publication. You can watch a video of the bulbs in action here.
“Millions of poor homes in Manila--and far more around the world--are left in the dark because metal roofs block all light and there are no connections to the electrical grid in cramped informal settlements. This simple bottle bulb, installed through a sealed hole cut in the metal roofs, provides a surprising amount of light by deflecting sunlight into gloomy interiors.”
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Working with the Public
A report from IBM providing many useful methods of how to engage the public through the use of online tools, and the link to the report is at the jump.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Pollution Destroying Buildings
Wow! That is all you can say about this example of the continued ability of technology to produce solutions to our problems, as this article from Fast Company reports.
An excerpt.
“Struggling to breathe because of the layer of smog hovering in the atmosphere above you? Alcoa has come up with a potential solution for that most unpleasant of man-made environmental issues: the smog-eating building.
“Alcoa's Reynobond with Ecoclean cleans both itself and the air around it, by decomposing smog, dirt, diesel fumes, and all the other nasty pollutants that hover around building surfaces. Alcoa claims that 10,000 square feet of the panels have the equivalent air-cleansing power of 80 trees. No need for trees when you have buildings that eat smog!
“The panel features a titanium dioxide coating (that's the EcoClean part) on top of a pre-painted aluminum surface (that's the Reynobond). Sunlight acts as a catalyst to break down the pollutants on the aluminum panel into harmless particles that can be washed away by rain. Since the Reynobond surface is super hydrophilic, water particles don't bead on top of it--they collapse and run down the side of the building. Just a small amount of rain or humidity can clean the surface.
“Alcoa explains how the technology can help smog-laden cities:
“As the primary component of smog, NOx not only makes buildings dirty, but it also threatens the quality of the air we breathe. But when NOx molecules float near the surface of Reynobond with EcoClean, they are attacked by free radicals generated from the titanium dioxide reacting with water and oxygen in the air. The free radicals oxidize the NOx molecules, converting them to a harmless nitrate. In this way, Reynobond with EcoClean constantly works to remove pollutants by using sunlight and the water vapor and oxygen in the air to clean the air itself.
“There are monetary benefits, too. The Reynobond with Ecoclean panels cost 4% to 5% more than their non-smog-eating counterparts, but they can cut a building's maintenance costs by up to half since the panels are self-cleaning.”
An excerpt.
“Struggling to breathe because of the layer of smog hovering in the atmosphere above you? Alcoa has come up with a potential solution for that most unpleasant of man-made environmental issues: the smog-eating building.
“Alcoa's Reynobond with Ecoclean cleans both itself and the air around it, by decomposing smog, dirt, diesel fumes, and all the other nasty pollutants that hover around building surfaces. Alcoa claims that 10,000 square feet of the panels have the equivalent air-cleansing power of 80 trees. No need for trees when you have buildings that eat smog!
“The panel features a titanium dioxide coating (that's the EcoClean part) on top of a pre-painted aluminum surface (that's the Reynobond). Sunlight acts as a catalyst to break down the pollutants on the aluminum panel into harmless particles that can be washed away by rain. Since the Reynobond surface is super hydrophilic, water particles don't bead on top of it--they collapse and run down the side of the building. Just a small amount of rain or humidity can clean the surface.
“Alcoa explains how the technology can help smog-laden cities:
“As the primary component of smog, NOx not only makes buildings dirty, but it also threatens the quality of the air we breathe. But when NOx molecules float near the surface of Reynobond with EcoClean, they are attacked by free radicals generated from the titanium dioxide reacting with water and oxygen in the air. The free radicals oxidize the NOx molecules, converting them to a harmless nitrate. In this way, Reynobond with EcoClean constantly works to remove pollutants by using sunlight and the water vapor and oxygen in the air to clean the air itself.
“There are monetary benefits, too. The Reynobond with Ecoclean panels cost 4% to 5% more than their non-smog-eating counterparts, but they can cut a building's maintenance costs by up to half since the panels are self-cleaning.”
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Wikipedia’s CEO
I use Wikipedia—a nonprofit company—all the time, a wonderful resource that only the internet technology could platform and this profile of the current CEO from Fast Company is terrific.
An excerpt.
“Millions of Wikipedians are familiar with the charismatic man who founded Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales -- it was his twinkling mug that was plastered atop the site during the recent 10th-anniversary fundraising effort, encouraging users to donate money to the "temple of the mind" that they had all built together. But few know Gardner, the 44-year-old former journalist who was brought in four years ago to right the foundation's worrisomely listing ship.
“At the time, the sprawling, collaborative reference site already had a visibility and reach that few sites can match. Yet when Gardner arrived, it was managed by just seven people from a strip-mall office in Florida -- and Wikimedia's finances were under intense pressure.
“In short order, Gardner began aggressively raising money, as evidenced by that triumphant anniversary campaign, which raised $16 million in 50 days late last year. (Before Gardner, the foundation's efforts at fundraising ran along the lines of, literally, "Let's buy Brion a laptop.") She moved Wikimedia to a downtown San Francisco building and bulked up the full-time staff to 56 employees, with plans to add 40 more positions in the newly created community-outreach and global-development departments. She implemented criminal background checks and expense policies -- basics for some businesses, but a level of professionalism Wikimedia had never before embraced.
“Three years into the job, Gardner remains one of only two women running a top-10 website. Under her watch, Wikipedia is now bigger and more stable than ever. A recent Pew survey revealed that 53% of adult American Internet users visit Wikipedia regularly. More than 400 million users visit it each month. It would cost $50,000 to print one copy of the 3.5 million articles housed on English Wikipedia alone. (Forget the 250-plus Wikipedias in languages ranging from Amharic to Tamil.) And that one copy would fill up 1,500 books at 1,500 pages per book.
“But Wikipedia also has real challenges to confront: a growing sense of insularity among seasoned editors who can set a punitive, unwelcoming tone for newcomers; a dearth of women editors (only 13% -- unacceptable, according to Gardner); and perhaps most alarming, a shrinking pool of overall regular contributors to English Wikipedia, down by one-third since March 2007.
“Still, Gardner's ambitions are huge. She is opening a Wikimedia office in India this spring, with future plans for offices in Brazil and the Middle East and North Africa. Determined that the site not consist primarily of white people in rich countries pontificating on behalf of the rest of the globe, she wants to focus on growing Wikipedia participation in the developing world. She aims to double the number of Wikipedia users to a billion within five years. "What could be better than people who don't have access to knowledge getting the ability to find out whatever it is that they want to find out?" she says. "And that's what I think is so gorgeous about Wikipedia -- it's this limitless space; it can be as big as it needs to be. It can actually contain the sum of everything that we know, right?"
An excerpt.
“Millions of Wikipedians are familiar with the charismatic man who founded Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales -- it was his twinkling mug that was plastered atop the site during the recent 10th-anniversary fundraising effort, encouraging users to donate money to the "temple of the mind" that they had all built together. But few know Gardner, the 44-year-old former journalist who was brought in four years ago to right the foundation's worrisomely listing ship.
“At the time, the sprawling, collaborative reference site already had a visibility and reach that few sites can match. Yet when Gardner arrived, it was managed by just seven people from a strip-mall office in Florida -- and Wikimedia's finances were under intense pressure.
“In short order, Gardner began aggressively raising money, as evidenced by that triumphant anniversary campaign, which raised $16 million in 50 days late last year. (Before Gardner, the foundation's efforts at fundraising ran along the lines of, literally, "Let's buy Brion a laptop.") She moved Wikimedia to a downtown San Francisco building and bulked up the full-time staff to 56 employees, with plans to add 40 more positions in the newly created community-outreach and global-development departments. She implemented criminal background checks and expense policies -- basics for some businesses, but a level of professionalism Wikimedia had never before embraced.
“Three years into the job, Gardner remains one of only two women running a top-10 website. Under her watch, Wikipedia is now bigger and more stable than ever. A recent Pew survey revealed that 53% of adult American Internet users visit Wikipedia regularly. More than 400 million users visit it each month. It would cost $50,000 to print one copy of the 3.5 million articles housed on English Wikipedia alone. (Forget the 250-plus Wikipedias in languages ranging from Amharic to Tamil.) And that one copy would fill up 1,500 books at 1,500 pages per book.
“But Wikipedia also has real challenges to confront: a growing sense of insularity among seasoned editors who can set a punitive, unwelcoming tone for newcomers; a dearth of women editors (only 13% -- unacceptable, according to Gardner); and perhaps most alarming, a shrinking pool of overall regular contributors to English Wikipedia, down by one-third since March 2007.
“Still, Gardner's ambitions are huge. She is opening a Wikimedia office in India this spring, with future plans for offices in Brazil and the Middle East and North Africa. Determined that the site not consist primarily of white people in rich countries pontificating on behalf of the rest of the globe, she wants to focus on growing Wikipedia participation in the developing world. She aims to double the number of Wikipedia users to a billion within five years. "What could be better than people who don't have access to knowledge getting the ability to find out whatever it is that they want to find out?" she says. "And that's what I think is so gorgeous about Wikipedia -- it's this limitless space; it can be as big as it needs to be. It can actually contain the sum of everything that we know, right?"
Monday, April 4, 2011
Neighborhood Associations & Social Media
In an excellent use of technology to keep neighborhoods safe, as reported by the Sacramento Bee, using social media to keep track of neighborhood crime and inform fellow residents, is a wise strategy.
An excerpt.
“Meet Robert Earl Randall, or "Bobby," as he is known to friends and police.
“Randall, 44, has amassed a 12-page rap sheet that includes arrests on charges of burglary, driving under the influence, possession of controlled substances, impersonation, writing a phony prescription, receiving stolen property and taking a vehicle without permission.
“Last week, found sleeping in a broken-down camper parked next to his mother's house off Opal Lane in the Hagginwood area, he was arrested again as a suspect in two additional burglaries.
"I'm not trying to be a criminal," Randall told Sacramento County sheriff's Sgt. Chris Joachim as he sat handcuffed the patrol car. "I don't want to go to prison."
“Randall is one of the people you lock your doors against. But, increasingly, Sacramento-area residents are deciding that is not enough.
“Some are turning to online crime-tracking tools or creating neighborhood watch groups on the Internet that give them instant access to crimes reported in their neighborhoods and suspicious activity.
“Susanne Burns is one of them. The Carmichael resident decided she had to do something after her home was burglarized last May while her family slept.
“The family had left vehicles in the driveway to make room for a pre-prom party in the garage. The burglars apparently broke into her husband's truck and used the garage door opener to get inside the garage and then the house.
“When she discovered the burglary, Burns followed the traditional route, setting up a Neighborhood Watch group of homes in her gated community.
"We started emailing and this list grew basically out of control," she said. "It started with me emailing the 22 homes in our little community. It just mushroomed, and I think that's when it hit me."
"It" was the idea of harnessing Facebook. The result is Carmichael Watchgroup, a page on the social networking site that has 342 members and notifies residents of community meetings with the Sheriff's Department, crime-tracking websites and criminal reports.
“News about stolen bikes, garage break-ins and other crimes are posted regularly. At Christmas, video from one home's security cameras was posted showing a burglar breaking into a house and leaving on a bicycle with stolen property.
“Elsewhere, communities from Granite Bay to Natomas have set up email alerts to keep residents abreast of what is going on in their neighborhoods, and several area law enforcement agencies are contracting with companies to put crime data online and make it available to anyone for free.”
An excerpt.
“Meet Robert Earl Randall, or "Bobby," as he is known to friends and police.
“Randall, 44, has amassed a 12-page rap sheet that includes arrests on charges of burglary, driving under the influence, possession of controlled substances, impersonation, writing a phony prescription, receiving stolen property and taking a vehicle without permission.
“Last week, found sleeping in a broken-down camper parked next to his mother's house off Opal Lane in the Hagginwood area, he was arrested again as a suspect in two additional burglaries.
"I'm not trying to be a criminal," Randall told Sacramento County sheriff's Sgt. Chris Joachim as he sat handcuffed the patrol car. "I don't want to go to prison."
“Randall is one of the people you lock your doors against. But, increasingly, Sacramento-area residents are deciding that is not enough.
“Some are turning to online crime-tracking tools or creating neighborhood watch groups on the Internet that give them instant access to crimes reported in their neighborhoods and suspicious activity.
“Susanne Burns is one of them. The Carmichael resident decided she had to do something after her home was burglarized last May while her family slept.
“The family had left vehicles in the driveway to make room for a pre-prom party in the garage. The burglars apparently broke into her husband's truck and used the garage door opener to get inside the garage and then the house.
“When she discovered the burglary, Burns followed the traditional route, setting up a Neighborhood Watch group of homes in her gated community.
"We started emailing and this list grew basically out of control," she said. "It started with me emailing the 22 homes in our little community. It just mushroomed, and I think that's when it hit me."
"It" was the idea of harnessing Facebook. The result is Carmichael Watchgroup, a page on the social networking site that has 342 members and notifies residents of community meetings with the Sheriff's Department, crime-tracking websites and criminal reports.
“News about stolen bikes, garage break-ins and other crimes are posted regularly. At Christmas, video from one home's security cameras was posted showing a burglar breaking into a house and leaving on a bicycle with stolen property.
“Elsewhere, communities from Granite Bay to Natomas have set up email alerts to keep residents abreast of what is going on in their neighborhoods, and several area law enforcement agencies are contracting with companies to put crime data online and make it available to anyone for free.”
Monday, March 21, 2011
Google Helps Nonprofits
In addition to the wonderful service of providing free blogging technology, as they do for this blog, Google provides much more to nonprofits, as this article from Fast Company notes.
An excerpt.
“Google has announced a new program for nonprofits, which they say will include a grant for adwords, exclusive tools, and collaboration forums. "Instead of applying to each Google product individually," nonprofits can apply for a suite of tools here, according to Google's blog post.
“The user-friendly site, Google.com/nonprofits, looks like it aims to simplify and educate how nonprofits can use the wide array of google products for their organization..”
An excerpt.
“Google has announced a new program for nonprofits, which they say will include a grant for adwords, exclusive tools, and collaboration forums. "Instead of applying to each Google product individually," nonprofits can apply for a suite of tools here, according to Google's blog post.
“The user-friendly site, Google.com/nonprofits, looks like it aims to simplify and educate how nonprofits can use the wide array of google products for their organization..”
Monday, February 28, 2011
Social Media & Nonprofits
They can be very congruent, as this article from the Chronicle of Philanthropy notes.
An excerpt.
“As the world has discovered through the grass-roots revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia —driven in part by messages on Twitter and Facebook—online social media can be powerful tools for spurring social change. And increasingly, both fledgling nonprofits and long-established charities are taking up those tools in issue advocacy.
“The trick, say nonprofit advocacy experts, is to pair virtual campaigns with flesh-and-blood action. “I don’t think broad change is likely to happen exclusively online,” says Chris Sarette, director of business operations at Invisible Children, a charity started in 2004 by young filmmakers to raise awareness about the plight of young people in war-torn East Africa.
“The charity has used Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and its own video-rich Web site to organize hundreds of student rallies across America to oppose the use of child soldiers in northern Uganda. In 2009 the San Diego group’s protest outside Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Studios, in Chicago, covered on Twitter by protestors, became one of the top-10 Twitter topics of that day and resulted in a very visible guest spot for Invisible Children on Ms. Winfrey’s talk show.
“Last May, when President Obama signed a bill that is expected to reduce child soldiering, leaders of Invisible Children were invited to the White House for the signing.
“An astounding 97 percent of nonprofits are using social media, far surpassing even the business world,” says Nora Ganim Barnes, co-author of a study released last year by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research.
“The embrace of such embryonic media (Facebook started in 2004, Twitter in 2006) has led to an era of creative experimentation, says Jamie Henn, communications director for the environmental activist group 350.org, in Oakland, Calif.
“And, he says, such experiments are seeing results. Last fall, through digital organizing on its Web and Facebook sites, his group mobilized people in all but three countries around the world to work on climate change in their own communities. In 7,347 places, people planted trees, installed solar panels and wind turbines, weatherized buildings, and planted urban gardens.
“Social media provides a place where people can share the work they are doing in the real world and gain a sense of momentum and community by seeing similar stories from around the planet,” Mr. Henn says. “It meant a lot for a group of friends in Las Cruces, N.M., after putting up a solar panel on a homeless shelter, to see a story about a group from Johannesburg, South Africa, doing the same thing. People get drawn into the Web site and see these amazing things others are doing, and they figure they can go out and do them as well.”
“Using social media to spur activism is such a new approach that many groups are still learning what works and what doesn’t.”
An excerpt.
“As the world has discovered through the grass-roots revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia —driven in part by messages on Twitter and Facebook—online social media can be powerful tools for spurring social change. And increasingly, both fledgling nonprofits and long-established charities are taking up those tools in issue advocacy.
“The trick, say nonprofit advocacy experts, is to pair virtual campaigns with flesh-and-blood action. “I don’t think broad change is likely to happen exclusively online,” says Chris Sarette, director of business operations at Invisible Children, a charity started in 2004 by young filmmakers to raise awareness about the plight of young people in war-torn East Africa.
“The charity has used Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and its own video-rich Web site to organize hundreds of student rallies across America to oppose the use of child soldiers in northern Uganda. In 2009 the San Diego group’s protest outside Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Studios, in Chicago, covered on Twitter by protestors, became one of the top-10 Twitter topics of that day and resulted in a very visible guest spot for Invisible Children on Ms. Winfrey’s talk show.
“Last May, when President Obama signed a bill that is expected to reduce child soldiering, leaders of Invisible Children were invited to the White House for the signing.
“An astounding 97 percent of nonprofits are using social media, far surpassing even the business world,” says Nora Ganim Barnes, co-author of a study released last year by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research.
“The embrace of such embryonic media (Facebook started in 2004, Twitter in 2006) has led to an era of creative experimentation, says Jamie Henn, communications director for the environmental activist group 350.org, in Oakland, Calif.
“And, he says, such experiments are seeing results. Last fall, through digital organizing on its Web and Facebook sites, his group mobilized people in all but three countries around the world to work on climate change in their own communities. In 7,347 places, people planted trees, installed solar panels and wind turbines, weatherized buildings, and planted urban gardens.
“Social media provides a place where people can share the work they are doing in the real world and gain a sense of momentum and community by seeing similar stories from around the planet,” Mr. Henn says. “It meant a lot for a group of friends in Las Cruces, N.M., after putting up a solar panel on a homeless shelter, to see a story about a group from Johannesburg, South Africa, doing the same thing. People get drawn into the Web site and see these amazing things others are doing, and they figure they can go out and do them as well.”
“Using social media to spur activism is such a new approach that many groups are still learning what works and what doesn’t.”
Monday, January 31, 2011
Technology: Friend & Foe
In a reminder of the power of technology in relation to the current events in Egypt, the Hauser Center blog notes how governments and individuals can both benefit from its enormous power.
An excerpt.
“As hundreds of thousands mill in the streets of Cairo and other Egyptian cities, it appears that another authoritarian Middle Eastern regime is about to fall to the rage of masses mobilized and coordinated by cellphones and the internet.
“In response, Egypt’s police state shut down the internet and cut off virtually all cellphone service both within the country and between it and the outside world. Satellite communications have also been disrupted by government jamming. (None of this, curiously, seems to have stemmed the flood of images of or broadcasts about the disorders featured on the 24 hour news channels and web sources like Al Jazzera and the BBC).
“Many “progressives” are professing horror and surprise at the internet shut down — yet had little to say when, last summer, the White House requested that Congress grant the president an internet “kill switch” that would allow our government to do exactly the same thing….
“The Roman emperor Nero wished the Roman people had one neck. With IT, alas, his wish has more or less come true — but on a global scale.
“While the media and friends of civil society celebrate the power of the new technology to topple tyrants, we would do well to keep in mind that its power, wielded by would-be tyrants, can also be used to suppress revolutionary social movements.”
An excerpt.
“As hundreds of thousands mill in the streets of Cairo and other Egyptian cities, it appears that another authoritarian Middle Eastern regime is about to fall to the rage of masses mobilized and coordinated by cellphones and the internet.
“In response, Egypt’s police state shut down the internet and cut off virtually all cellphone service both within the country and between it and the outside world. Satellite communications have also been disrupted by government jamming. (None of this, curiously, seems to have stemmed the flood of images of or broadcasts about the disorders featured on the 24 hour news channels and web sources like Al Jazzera and the BBC).
“Many “progressives” are professing horror and surprise at the internet shut down — yet had little to say when, last summer, the White House requested that Congress grant the president an internet “kill switch” that would allow our government to do exactly the same thing….
“The Roman emperor Nero wished the Roman people had one neck. With IT, alas, his wish has more or less come true — but on a global scale.
“While the media and friends of civil society celebrate the power of the new technology to topple tyrants, we would do well to keep in mind that its power, wielded by would-be tyrants, can also be used to suppress revolutionary social movements.”
Friday, January 28, 2011
Social Websites & Organizational Marketing
It can open the proverbial can of worms, as well as do wonders for your organization’s community presence.
This article from IdealWare examines the issue.
An excerpt.
“Facebook seems to generate a lot of discussion about the way it handles privacy and security, and not without reason—personal data protection is worth some scrutiny, and Facebook has a questionable track record in this area. However, these issues don’t apply in the same way to nonprofits who have an organizational presence on Facebook. Organizational data is, by definition, far less personal than the information an individual might trust to the site, so you’re much less likely to want to keep it private.
“But there are other privacy concerns for nonprofits that use Facebook—even if your own privacy isn’t a big concern, it’s important to think of your constituents’ privacy. What does that mean for you? We talked to a few experts and condensed their advice into this article. We’ll take a look at the issues you most need to be concerned about one at a time.
“What’s the Deal with Facebook and Privacy?
“Facebook began as a way for users to communicate with a select group of people they chose to add to their networks. Six short years later, it’s become a nearly indispensable utility with more than 500 million users and its own Hollywood movie.
“As it grew, its privacy settings evolved—and, in many ways, eroded. The first changes made a lot of user information public by default, forcing users to be savvy enough to notice and change them. More recent changes have made additional user data public—and shared it with partners to target ads—without giving the option to change it.
“While it’s still possible to adjust individual user settings to keep a great deal of personal data private, it’s not always easy to do so, and with regular, ongoing changes, Facebook keeps moving the goalposts.
“However, most of this doesn’t apply to organizations. Organizations that choose to have a public Fan Page usually are very interested in reaching people they don’t yet know. If they want to have a more private conversation, they can set up a private Group, for which the privacy settings are relatively straightforward. And the truth is that Facebook is far more interested in information about individual users—who are prime targets for promotions and ads—than organizations, which are more difficult to target with advertisements.
“Constituent Privacy
“However, constituent privacy is another thing altogether. Before you post anything about the people who interact with your organization, it’s important to consider a few things—like whether or not you have their permission. And whether your post might say more about them than they would want, either intentionally or not.
“For example, are you mentioning things done by someone outside your organization and referencing them by name? Are you displaying photos or videos of people, or tagging photos with their names? It’s a good idea to get permission from them first. At an event, this can be relatively easy—post signs, or a note on the invitation or tickets, letting attendees know you’re taking pictures, and asking them to let you know if they don’t want to be included.
“Many schools and organizations that work with children already ask families to sign waivers giving permission to use photos in print and on the Web. It’s a good idea to add Facebook and other social media into those waivers—and if you’re not already using such waivers, give them some thought. But even if you have permission, consider each picture or video. Is it something a constituent would want family or employers to see? If not, think twice before posting it. That picture of your donor dancing on the table with a drink in her hand might be a great illustration of the good time had by all, but may well not be the image she’s trying to portray at work.
“Sometimes simply mentioning someone’s name can be an invasion of their privacy. HIPAA guidelines, for instance, which apply to health-related organizations who receive funding from Medicare or insurance companies, prohibit disclosure of any information related to diagnosis—even general information that someone is enrolled in a program. In this case, it’s clear that mentioning someone’s name in conjunction with your program is a violation of not just privacy, but of the law.”
This article from IdealWare examines the issue.
An excerpt.
“Facebook seems to generate a lot of discussion about the way it handles privacy and security, and not without reason—personal data protection is worth some scrutiny, and Facebook has a questionable track record in this area. However, these issues don’t apply in the same way to nonprofits who have an organizational presence on Facebook. Organizational data is, by definition, far less personal than the information an individual might trust to the site, so you’re much less likely to want to keep it private.
“But there are other privacy concerns for nonprofits that use Facebook—even if your own privacy isn’t a big concern, it’s important to think of your constituents’ privacy. What does that mean for you? We talked to a few experts and condensed their advice into this article. We’ll take a look at the issues you most need to be concerned about one at a time.
“What’s the Deal with Facebook and Privacy?
“Facebook began as a way for users to communicate with a select group of people they chose to add to their networks. Six short years later, it’s become a nearly indispensable utility with more than 500 million users and its own Hollywood movie.
“As it grew, its privacy settings evolved—and, in many ways, eroded. The first changes made a lot of user information public by default, forcing users to be savvy enough to notice and change them. More recent changes have made additional user data public—and shared it with partners to target ads—without giving the option to change it.
“While it’s still possible to adjust individual user settings to keep a great deal of personal data private, it’s not always easy to do so, and with regular, ongoing changes, Facebook keeps moving the goalposts.
“However, most of this doesn’t apply to organizations. Organizations that choose to have a public Fan Page usually are very interested in reaching people they don’t yet know. If they want to have a more private conversation, they can set up a private Group, for which the privacy settings are relatively straightforward. And the truth is that Facebook is far more interested in information about individual users—who are prime targets for promotions and ads—than organizations, which are more difficult to target with advertisements.
“Constituent Privacy
“However, constituent privacy is another thing altogether. Before you post anything about the people who interact with your organization, it’s important to consider a few things—like whether or not you have their permission. And whether your post might say more about them than they would want, either intentionally or not.
“For example, are you mentioning things done by someone outside your organization and referencing them by name? Are you displaying photos or videos of people, or tagging photos with their names? It’s a good idea to get permission from them first. At an event, this can be relatively easy—post signs, or a note on the invitation or tickets, letting attendees know you’re taking pictures, and asking them to let you know if they don’t want to be included.
“Many schools and organizations that work with children already ask families to sign waivers giving permission to use photos in print and on the Web. It’s a good idea to add Facebook and other social media into those waivers—and if you’re not already using such waivers, give them some thought. But even if you have permission, consider each picture or video. Is it something a constituent would want family or employers to see? If not, think twice before posting it. That picture of your donor dancing on the table with a drink in her hand might be a great illustration of the good time had by all, but may well not be the image she’s trying to portray at work.
“Sometimes simply mentioning someone’s name can be an invasion of their privacy. HIPAA guidelines, for instance, which apply to health-related organizations who receive funding from Medicare or insurance companies, prohibit disclosure of any information related to diagnosis—even general information that someone is enrolled in a program. In this case, it’s clear that mentioning someone’s name in conjunction with your program is a violation of not just privacy, but of the law.”
Friday, January 21, 2011
Best Cities for Online Giving
They have been ranked by Convio as this press release reports.
An excerpt.
“AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 19, 2011) —Convio, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNVO) announced today the release of its third annual ranking of Most Generous Online Cities. Alexandria, VA, Cambridge, MA and Arlington, VA, topped the list for the second year in a row as the nation’s most generous large cities based on online giving in 2010. The biggest movers in the top 10 are San Francisco, moving up 5 places to number seven; Minneapolis, falling five places to number 10; and Seattle, moving up two places to number four.
“The report ranks the 273 cities with total population of more than 100,000 based on per capita online giving and total amount donated online through Convio’s online marketing and fundraising suite. The average gift size increased from $62 in 2009 to $65 in 2010 as more than $389 million was donated by people who reside in the 273 major cities. The donors in the most generous cities increased their total online contributions by more than 27 percent over 2009 totals.
“The 2010 rankings are based on the more than $1.3 billion in online donations generated through the Convio online marketing and fundraising suite which powers the online efforts of thousands of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations. The current rankings come from donations processed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2010.
“The most generous large cities (greater than 100,000) in 2010 based on per capita giving:
1. Alexandria, VA
2. Cambridge, MA
3. Arlington, VA
4. Seattle, WA
5. Washington, DC
6. Berkeley, CA
7. St. Louis, MO
8. San Francisco, CA
9. Ann Arbor, MI
10. Minneapolis, MN
“The integration of the Internet in traditional fundraising programs continues to play a vital role in the fundraising success of nonprofits,” said Gene Austin, chief executive officer for Convio. “Donors, volunteers, advocates and other constituents of all generations are using the Internet, social, mobile and digital technologies in their daily lives. That is reflected in the dramatic increase in the amount of dollars raised online — from an estimated $1 billion across the entire sector 5 years ago, to Convio’s more than 1,300 clients alone raising more than $1.3 billion online this past year. Using the Internet as part of a comprehensive constituent engagement and fundraising program is helping nonprofits generate more meaningful relationships, raise more money and maximize the lifetime value of each relationship.”
“The Role of Online GivingWhile traditional direct mail remains the primary channel for donations, online giving has become important to donors and the nonprofits that hope to reach them. Two recent reports by Convio showcase the value of online giving, particularly with younger donors and during the holidays. Research shows that donors ages 45 and younger account for nearly $40 billion in donations each year —an amount that is expected to increase as the generation ages and builds their careers and nonprofit affiliations. By and large, these donors are turning to online, social media and other channels to donate dollars. Of the estimated $53 billion that was donated to charities by US adults this past holiday season, $6 billion (or nearly 12 percent) was estimated to have been donated online.”
An excerpt.
“AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 19, 2011) —Convio, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNVO) announced today the release of its third annual ranking of Most Generous Online Cities. Alexandria, VA, Cambridge, MA and Arlington, VA, topped the list for the second year in a row as the nation’s most generous large cities based on online giving in 2010. The biggest movers in the top 10 are San Francisco, moving up 5 places to number seven; Minneapolis, falling five places to number 10; and Seattle, moving up two places to number four.
“The report ranks the 273 cities with total population of more than 100,000 based on per capita online giving and total amount donated online through Convio’s online marketing and fundraising suite. The average gift size increased from $62 in 2009 to $65 in 2010 as more than $389 million was donated by people who reside in the 273 major cities. The donors in the most generous cities increased their total online contributions by more than 27 percent over 2009 totals.
“The 2010 rankings are based on the more than $1.3 billion in online donations generated through the Convio online marketing and fundraising suite which powers the online efforts of thousands of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations. The current rankings come from donations processed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2010.
“The most generous large cities (greater than 100,000) in 2010 based on per capita giving:
1. Alexandria, VA
2. Cambridge, MA
3. Arlington, VA
4. Seattle, WA
5. Washington, DC
6. Berkeley, CA
7. St. Louis, MO
8. San Francisco, CA
9. Ann Arbor, MI
10. Minneapolis, MN
“The integration of the Internet in traditional fundraising programs continues to play a vital role in the fundraising success of nonprofits,” said Gene Austin, chief executive officer for Convio. “Donors, volunteers, advocates and other constituents of all generations are using the Internet, social, mobile and digital technologies in their daily lives. That is reflected in the dramatic increase in the amount of dollars raised online — from an estimated $1 billion across the entire sector 5 years ago, to Convio’s more than 1,300 clients alone raising more than $1.3 billion online this past year. Using the Internet as part of a comprehensive constituent engagement and fundraising program is helping nonprofits generate more meaningful relationships, raise more money and maximize the lifetime value of each relationship.”
“The Role of Online GivingWhile traditional direct mail remains the primary channel for donations, online giving has become important to donors and the nonprofits that hope to reach them. Two recent reports by Convio showcase the value of online giving, particularly with younger donors and during the holidays. Research shows that donors ages 45 and younger account for nearly $40 billion in donations each year —an amount that is expected to increase as the generation ages and builds their careers and nonprofit affiliations. By and large, these donors are turning to online, social media and other channels to donate dollars. Of the estimated $53 billion that was donated to charities by US adults this past holiday season, $6 billion (or nearly 12 percent) was estimated to have been donated online.”
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Social Enterprise & Nonprofit Blogging
There are a couple good articles from the Axelson Review about those two strategies, both excellent tools for nonprofits to consider.
Both are crucial for social change nonprofits as they expand the venue for advocacy, while keeping the message fresh and connected to other advocacy efforts throughout the community.
Both are crucial for social change nonprofits as they expand the venue for advocacy, while keeping the message fresh and connected to other advocacy efforts throughout the community.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Donor Loyalty
An article from Sumac note some good points in retaining donors.
An excerpt.
“According to Adrian Sargeant, a professor of fundraising at Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy, a typical nonprofit will lose 50% of its donors between the first and second donation and up to 30% per year thereafter. With these rates, organizations must continually scramble to bring in new donors. But donor acquisition is very costly. According to Penelope Burk, president of Cygnus Applied Research, “new donors are expensive to get and rarely give much the first time.” In the end, “acquisition is more expensive than retention and often runs at a loss.” If non-profits focused instead on boosting donor retention, therefore, the payoff could be huge.
“Boosting Donor Retention
“Likewise, Sargeant argues that even a small improvement in retention can yield a windfall over time. Even boosting the retention rate by as little as 10 percent, he says, can increase the lifetime value of a nonprofit’s donor base by up to 200%.
“So, how do you boost donor retention? You give donors what they want. Thanks to Burk’s national research studies on the key motivators of donor loyalty, we know exactly what that is. In that research, 93% of donors indicated three things that would influence them to stay loyal and give increasingly generous gifts over time:
1. Prompt and personalized gift acknowledgement
2. Confirmation that funds will be used as originally indicated in the solicitation
3. Measurable results on donors’ last gift before they are asked for another one.
“All three of these things, Burk points out, are tied to donor communication and are within the control of charities and fundraisers to change. So, why don’t non-profits focus their attention on changing communications to meet donors needs?”
An excerpt.
“According to Adrian Sargeant, a professor of fundraising at Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy, a typical nonprofit will lose 50% of its donors between the first and second donation and up to 30% per year thereafter. With these rates, organizations must continually scramble to bring in new donors. But donor acquisition is very costly. According to Penelope Burk, president of Cygnus Applied Research, “new donors are expensive to get and rarely give much the first time.” In the end, “acquisition is more expensive than retention and often runs at a loss.” If non-profits focused instead on boosting donor retention, therefore, the payoff could be huge.
“Boosting Donor Retention
“Likewise, Sargeant argues that even a small improvement in retention can yield a windfall over time. Even boosting the retention rate by as little as 10 percent, he says, can increase the lifetime value of a nonprofit’s donor base by up to 200%.
“So, how do you boost donor retention? You give donors what they want. Thanks to Burk’s national research studies on the key motivators of donor loyalty, we know exactly what that is. In that research, 93% of donors indicated three things that would influence them to stay loyal and give increasingly generous gifts over time:
1. Prompt and personalized gift acknowledgement
2. Confirmation that funds will be used as originally indicated in the solicitation
3. Measurable results on donors’ last gift before they are asked for another one.
“All three of these things, Burk points out, are tied to donor communication and are within the control of charities and fundraisers to change. So, why don’t non-profits focus their attention on changing communications to meet donors needs?”
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