A
new World Wide Web site features nonprofit business
ventures operated by groups that help the homeless.
It's a window into homeless economic development,
and illustrates how other nonprofits might use
the Web to publicize their work. It also displays
some of the difficulties of maintaining a Web
site for groups with good intentions but scarce
resources.
If
the members of an organization's board are geographically
dispersed, they may have trouble working together
cohesively. Technology consultant Corinne
Waldenmayer shows how to solve this problem
by using a variety of electronic tools and resources.
As
the nonprofit sector expands worldwide, grantmakers
are combining resources, building regional networks,
and promoting new forms of electronic communication
among their grantees.
The
IRS continues to weigh specific rules governing
Internet advocacy by nonprofits. In the meantime,
the Alliance for Justice has prepared its own
plain-language guidelines for 501( c)(3) organizations
that use the Internet to lobby, garner support
for a legislative agenda, or pursue other political
activities.
The
internet is a new frontier for fundraisers,
opening up exciting possibilities. Those who
have already ventured into Cyberspace say that
they can communicate with donors more effectively,
mobilize support more quickly, and make their
appeals to a younger segment of the population.
Is "virtual" fundraising simply an extension
of real-world fundraising? Or does it demand
new skills and new ways of doing business?
Is
the World Wide Web taking over your life? Here
are seven smart tips for keeping up with technology
without losing staff time, money - or sleep.
Because of high
prices and restrictive licenses, your organization
may not be able to purchase all the software
it requires. According to computer expert Howard
Fosdick, open-source software—free of cost and
readily accessible—may be the answer.
Like
any organizational innovation, going online
takes careful planning. In addition to the technical
challenges, there's a whole host of administrative
and policy concerns to confront. Putnam Barber
explains how to manage the process.
More and more
grantmakers are making it possible (and in some
cases, mandatory) for proposals to be submitted
electronically. Contributors to TGCI's Alumni
Forum have some suggestions for handling the
process more smoothly.
