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Many non-profit organizations realize they need to do a more effective job of interacting with donors, members and other stakeholders if they are going to remain viable. Fund raising is always challenging, however in these tough economic times "challenging" is probably an understatement. Simply put, non-profits will have to complete fiercely to acquire and/or maintain their share of increasingly scarce contributions. Traditional funding sources are evaporating and new sources may be more difficult to attract.
There are no easy answers and no magic formulas. That said, there is much that can be done to remain productive. Non-profits, like other organizations, can leverage low-cost, enabling horizontal technologies in order to carry their mission forward. Many of these technologies are proven yet inexpensive. Usually what is missing is the know-how required to make them work.
We teach non-profits to help themselves by enabling their use of Web 2.0 tools in support of their missions.
For more information or to schedule a no obligation conference call, contact us by phone or email.
Most non-profits have websites; however, many of these websites look so dated as to appear abandoned. While  having a website is an absolute requirement, a poorly done website may actually hurt more than it helps. What a non-profit needs is not a static website but rather a publishing platform (see Build your Brand on Broadband) in order to remain in touch with its constituents and continue to appear vibrant.
The website needs to be easily modified and extended by non-profit staffers and volunteers without the need to hire expensive technical staff. The platform must be multi-use, one that serves all the non-profit’s publishing needs (e.g. website, blogging and new media). Your ability to connect with constituents is enhanced when your website publishes relevant and current content regarding the good work that you do and the value you provide.
We help non-profits launch professional looking websites that improve their outreach to constituents. We train staffers and volunteers to effectively and efficiently create their own content. We recommend Typepad as a publishing platform because of its multi-use capabilities.
The ability to accept online contributions and to provide point-and-click payment options for events is imperative. 
Potential contributors and event attendees have little patience for difficult to use processes, no matter how much they may believe in your cause or need the information you are best positioned to provide. We live in attention scarce economy. Ease of interaction is not a nice to have but rather it is a must have.
We help non-profits incorporate the ability to accept electronic funds by using the same technology already used by millions on a daily basis. PayPal, a leading provider of online payment services, can be readily integrated into your website. In addition, we help non-profits quickly implement the supporting processes required to accurately account for funds received.
In an environment where it seems that corruption scandals erupt everyday, it is critical that non-profits provide their constituents with evidence that contributions are being used as intended. Publishing stories regarding the value of services provided, as well as the people that support them, is important. However, even more important may be the testimonial of beneficiaries, members, and others who received value from the services the non-profit group provides. One of the best ways to capture testimonials is through the use of social media: blogging, videos, podcasts, etc. Social media provides rich “story telling” capabilities that were formerly only available to large well funded groups. These capabilities are now well within the reach of smaller non-profits, including local chapters of national organizations.
We help non-profits launch social media campaigns that can effectively extend their reach in ways that were previously not possible.
Most non-profits need a collaboration space where the myriad of activities needed to run successful events can be coordinated and where event collateral can be stored. Collaboration using ineffective tools eats up staff time which is better spent on accomplishing objectives. Collaboration spaces are mission critical to creating successful events. They provide the tools necessary to effectively coordinate the activities of group members and leverage knowledge from past events that can be used to organize future events. We help non-profits by enabling effective use of collaboration spaces with Google Apps. Google Apps standard edition is free and helps you organize to win.
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