Top Nonprofit Blogs
Share the Top Nonprofit Blogs on
BAD RAP Blog
The nose knows! Space needed for nose work.
Canine Nose Work is all the rage in our corners. This fab new dog sport gives our furry noodle brains a real work out, which can only be a good thing. It's great for giving shy dogs a confidence boost and for breaking the doldrums of shelter life. It's also...
The rains slowed down a little bit yesterday, so the dogs were happy to stretch their legs and have a little romp. Of course new girl Pink was in the middle of the fun....
Toledo animal control - Bounty hunters?
KC Dog Blog has been steadily reporting some BIG news out of Ohio. Toledo has had a reputation as being one of the country's biggest death camps due to a decades-long no-mercy policy that not only barred pit bulls from surviving the shelter, but permitted dog wardens to enter private...
Got cabin fever yet? We do! and we're looking forward to busting out on Feb 20 at Bullylicious, a party designed to promote Pinups for Pitbull's annual calendar. Paco Collars go-to girl Ana Poe is Miss October, and she'll be there in living color to sign (and sell) calendars along...
An American Love Story: Jon and Demo
Jon Bozak and Demo have spent the last 16 years together, perfecting the art of friendship. Most of us know Demo the cartoon dog, who's been helping the world understand the evils of BSL and discrimination in this famous book. As sad as it is to know that he's gone,...
Bully BULLY! We're so happy to report that you did it - You helped us raise 100K to make a modest BR holding facility a reality, and you did it with a bang. We were inching our way towards 'Done!' in the final push of our campaign when an anonymous...
Public Sector Marketing 2.0 - Mike Kujawski's blog on strategic marketing & social media engagment
My response to the Twitter debate on the NYT and New Yorker Blogs
Chain of events: George Packer rants about Twitter on his New Yorker blog Nick Bilton from the NYT Bits Blog rants about George Packer’s blog post Both blog posts (especially Nick Bilton’s) generate a mass of comments illustrating the social media digital divide that still exists in our society. My response, which I posted...
Need help in creating a central list of mobile government websites in Canada
As you likely already know I’m a strong advocate of anything mobile, especially given how much time I spend on the road. I’ve been asked quite a bit lately to provide examples of Canadian mobile government websites. The main two that always come to mind come from CATSA (full disclosure:...
2009 Social Media User Segments
A while back I read the book “Groundswell” by Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff from Forrester Research. I was very impressed at the time, with what seemed to be the most comprehensive analysis of social media user segments available, explained very nicely in a book. I have since used many...
Jokes aside, the iPad is BIG news
This quick post is for all of my non gadget-geek readers that likely had no idea that Apple launched the iPad today at 1PM EST. What is the iPad? There are enough search results on Google to keep you busy for a while. But before you do that, watch this...
Hidden Canadian Government Gems
I’ve mentioned this before and I’ll mention it again, certain government departments are full of great hidden online products/tools that few people know of. Those outside of government walls may find it hard to believe, but it’s true. Some departments have been told to keep a low-profile on their offering...
Jolkona Blog
We are excited to welcome 2010 with a lot of new projects. Here are the newest projects you will find on our website: We are excited to welcome Ashoka to the Jolkona community. You can now support an Ashoka Youth Venture project right here in Seattle to encourage youth led journalism. Jolkona...
Imagine something that has been proven to make you happier, healthier and more confident while being environmentally friendly, and having absolutely no adverse side effects. I am not referring to a new miracle drug or infomercial for aroma-therapy candles, but simply the act of giving. People have long known that...
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the people and families in Haiti affected by the recent tragic earthquake that has claimed thousands of lives and affected over one third of the population. We know that there are tons of relief efforts and fundraisers going on right now to help provide...
How Jolkona Foundation Came About…
Last month, I gave an interview where I discussed how I came to start Jolkona Foundation. This interview was distributed internally within Microsoft. It is my pleasure to share the article, in its entirety, with our readers. Once again, I would like to thank my employer - Microsoft Corporation - for...
This guest post contributed by Robert Rose, Executive Director of one of our partner organizations - TRIFC. Last year on my yearly project/programs visit to Nepal we had an unusual experience with a group of Nepali Rotarian friends. We all got together in the early evening at a new restaurant that at that...
Happy Holidays from Jolkona Foundation!
Dear Jolkona Foundation Supporters, Jolkona Foundation (www.jolkona.org) is a startup nonprofit organization based in Seattle that lets people choose how to impact the world through small donations with tangible proofs of impact. When we launched Jolkona Foundation to the public in June 2009, we were very excited at the potential of Jolkona...
Wild Apricot Blog main feed
Wild Apricot Software News January-February 2010
Wild Apricot software news for February 2010 The first half of January was slow as most of our developers were taking some well-earned time off. (We did have to deal with a small bump — a number of clients experienced problems with the link tracking function, so we were hunting...
Is the Right Person Doing Your Nonprofit's Social Media?
Who handles the social media marketing for your nonprofit? Often, in a small organization, the job falls to the most enthusiastic person — or to the Gen Yer on staff (on the theory that “that generation knows all about this web stuff”) — but wouldn’t it be nice if there...
24+ Free Webinars for Nonprofits - February 2010
For the shortest month of the year, February is shaping up with a pretty good selection of free online training opportunities for folks working in nonprofits and associations. Keep an eye on the comments here for additions and updates, too!...(read more)...
How to Bring Facebook Fans to Your Nonprofit Blog - Part 2
"How can our nonprofit move the active conversation from our Facebook fan Page to our organization’s own blog?" The nonprofit that asked this question might be a small one, but their challenge certainly isn’t! Here's one way to tackle it....(read more)...
Idealware Publishes 2010 Field Guide to Software for Nonprofits
What types of software can make your organization more effective and efficient? It can be tough even to know what's out there, let alone to decide what you need. Good news: Idealware.org has just released a software guide that's specifically for nonprofits....(read more)...
Best of Association Jam: Association Links for January 2010
What will you do in 2010 that you've never done before to help your associations thrive? That's the kind of provocative question we like to start out a new year pondering! And appropriately enough, Association Jam's overall top-voted story for the first month of 2010 was Jeff De Cagna's Top...
Minnesota Council on Foundations Blog - Philanthropy Potluck
Disaster Philanthropy: A Long Term Role for Foundations
I listened in on a recent conference call organized by the partners of Katrina @ 5 about philanthropy’s response to the earthquake in Haiti. Several speakers from government and philanthropy spoke about the current relief efforts in Haiti and the long term role for foundations in disaster response. You can listen to a...
Community Foundations: National Contest Calls for Your Local Information Experiments
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is accepting applications from community and place-based foundations seeking to fund news and information projects. The deadline for the Knight Community Information Challenge, a matching grant program, is March 8. Applications can be submitted at www.informationneeds.org. Recognizing the growing role that foundations are...
“We’re Looking Ahead with Optimism and Creativity,” Funders Say.
“I’m glad I’m on the panel this year and not last year,” remarked Trista Harris, executive director of Headwaters Foundation for Justice, at this year’s 2010 Outlook Program for Minnesota Grantmakers and Nonprofits, presented by the Minnesota Council on Foundations. “Last year, the theme seemed to be ‘Run for the...
Don’t Be Afraid of Your Shadow: Attend Your Caucus on Tuesday
Punxsutawney Phil shouldn’t be the only one coming out of hibernation on Tuesday, February 2. Precinct caucuses will be held all over Minnesota on Tuesday, and you need to show up. It’s time for you — yes, you — to venture out, get to know your neighbors, and participate in the...
Wilder Launches Statewide Data Hub
Wilder Research has just launched Minnesota Compass, which offers a host of data and other resources in a user-friendly, easy-to-navigate, one-stop web site. This new initiative builds on the prior success of Twin Cities Compass, a similar project for the 7-county metro region. Minnesota Compass measures quality of life in communities around Minnesota, providing data,...
Initiative Foundation Meetings to Cover New Grants, Training Opportunities
Do you work for a central Minnesota nonprofit, faith-based organization or community group that serves displaced workers and distressed families? The Initiative Foundation is offering new funding and training to support organizational planning and development. Funded in part by a $1M grant from the U.S. Department of Health, the foundation’s Strengthening...
Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology
Last 10 (selected) delicious.com links
Yammer : Enterprise Microblogging Git – SVN Crash Course Pivotal Tracker – Free Lightweight Agile Project Management & Team Collaboration, from Pivotal Labs Force.com Web Services API Developer’s Guide SOQL SELECT Syntax AIM Implementation Guide gokubi.com » Blog Archive » Using Sites to easily publish data out of Salesforce DrupalMad developer :: Add-ons for Firefox Maintaining a Drupal...
You don’t hear me talking much about social media. One of the reasons is that there are a number of really good bloggers out there who know the field far better than I’ll ever be able to. I would argue that Beth Kanter is the best social media blogger there...
It’s taken me a while to write this blog post, mostly because I have been working hard at various things (like building a business and building new websites.) This is the last installment in my CRM/CMS integration series, that started almost a year ago (wow!) And I’m skipping Joomla/Salesforce Integration...
One of the great things about the nonprofit technology field is the collection of nonprofit organizations that provide what is often called “Intermediary” services to other nonprofits: information and resources that help nonprofit organizations do the work they do in the world, by helping them make good technology decisions. I’ve been...
More symptoms of bigger problems
’nuff said....
I’m warning you – this is snarky. I was only vaguely following the brou-ha-ha over Causes leaving Myspace. Only vaguely because I don’t really keep close track of the goings on in the Social Networking space: it’s not my passion. I use them a lot, both for work as well as...
A Volunteer's Guide to Changing the World
A Call for Nonprofits: Ask less, give more
We know budgets are reduced and giving is down. Asking for more won't help. Sending more emails, planning more events, and hosting more auctions are signs of desperation.People don't need to give money. People don't need to raise money. People NEED to belong to something special. People NEED to...
RE: Online Outreach on a Budget
More than ever, online outreach is VITAL to your and your organizations ongoing success. I hope this post provides you valuable information and tools to stay ahead of the curve.Currently, there is a nonprofit blog carnival sweeping the Internet... Its full of great information, tips, and tools for nonprofits and...
Creative Crowdsourcing Empowers Non-Profits to Spread the Word
Crowdsourcing has been a growing trend and its a wonderful way to find new volunteers. There are a variety of different types of crowd-sourcing that fit almost any need that a nonprofit might have. Recently, National Association of Federal Credit Union leveraged a crowd-sourcing group to help launch advertisements to...
3 Rules for Nonprofits: Belonging belonging belonging
Just like the first three principles of real estate are priority, priority, priority, the first rule for nonprofits to engaging volunteers and donors should be BELONGING, BELONGING, BELONGING!This rule is inspired by Marsha Shenk, and her presentation, Brain, Body and Business.You can see the full presentation here:View more presentations from...
3 Sites That Make a Difference
Increasingly, you can do the things that you like to do, and do them in the name of a charity or cause. I have recently experimented with the following and I love what these groups are doing. I encourage you to check them out. And if they haven't listed your...
8 Great Quotes and Principles of Fun
I came across this today and fell in love with this concept...Ask yourself - do you have enough fun?1. Figure out who you are, what you want to do, and be confident in yourself | "Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of someone else."...
About.com Nonprofit Charitable Orgs
Best Links: Social Media, Planned Giving, and Recession Tips
Buddy, can you spare a dime? So far the recession has not much improved for nonprofits. Philantopic discusses the outlook for this year and provides some excellent tips for where best to put your resources while we wait for the upturn. If not now, when? Tony Martignetti, in an article at...
K.I.S.S. for Good: Improving Nonprofit Messages Through Simplicity
No, I don't mean to literally kiss for good. I'm referring to "Keep It Simple Stupid" for good. It's a mantra among writers, but still too many communicators in the nonprofit world don't keep it in mind. I think that all nonprofit writers should have to write a blog at...
How to Handle End of Year Tax Receipts for Your Donors
Justin Wandro of the blog, Nonprofit Success, has clearly explained how to make those tax receipts for your donors another step in the thank you and cultivation process. Even though you've likely sent a receipt right after getting a donation, there nothing wrong with sending a year end summary to the...
Countdown to Valentine's Day: Send a Valentine for Good
If ever there was a year to make your Valentine a gift for good, it's this year. Here are five ways to celebrate Valentine's Day while doing a world of good. Do your kids take Valentine's Day cards to school for their friends? I remember those shoe boxes plastered with hearts...
Is Your Nonprofit Losing Out to Haiti?
With the spotlight on Haiti for the past several weeks, your nonprofit's fundraising might be standing in the corner with an empty dance card. Should you try to be gracious and await your turn? Or should you try to piggy-back somehow on the Haiti appeal? Eric Foley, of Transformational Giving,...
Best Links: Messaging, Social Media, and Software
The January Nonprofit Blog Carnival is at IssueLab's Footnotes blog. Luise Barnikel has rounded up a collection of resources revolving around Online Outreach on a Budget. Learn to connect advocacy to fundraising, how to integrate direct mail with free online tools, and the benefits of using Twitter for your nonprofit. Do...
Case Foundation - Investing in People and Ideas that Can Change the World
Target gets charitable for Valentine's Day
This week, Target announced its newest charitable giving initiative taking place on Facebook, launched for Valentine's Day. Similar to the campaign it launched last May, when the retailer asked its Facebook fans to help decide how it would divvy up $3 million amongst 10 charities, the Valentine's Day campaign asks...
Nonprofit Jobs: Perspectives and advice on where to find them and how to land them
2010 has just begun and already we've seen numerous reports that the job market is still looking, well ... bleak. It's hard not to describe it this way when the headlines from major news outlets are describing the job outlook in these terms - Economy still bleeding jobs (Wall Street Journal),...
Guest blogger Ned Breslin is CEO of Water For People, a nonprofit international humanitarian organization that supports the development of sustainable safe drinking water resources and improved sanitation facilities in developing countries. In October 2009, Water For People announced an investment from the Case Foundation to accelerate and expand its...
In the research we conducted after the first America's Giving Challenge in 2007-2008, we found that a hallmark for many successful efforts was a combination of online and offline outreach to mobilize supporters. It's no surprise that the combination of tactics beyond just online to generate donations was once again...
Alongside the stories of devastation and trauma due to the recent earthquake in Haiti are stories of personal and community strength, compassion and hope. It has been heartening to see the world - including individuals, businesses and institutions, governments, and the nonprofit community - rally to help this country in...
CECP: What do you expect of business in solving social problems?
This season's issue of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP)'s publication, The Corporate Philanthropist, is out and available online and in PDF. Each issue focuses on different areas of corporate philanthropy, and this current Winter 2010 issue provides different perspectives from industry executives, leaders and experts on the question: What do...
columbus imPRessions
Forty-two years ago the Heinz ketchup squeeze packet was invented. Now 42 years later, a new and improved packaging breakthrough is introduced. According to the press release, the Heinz Dip & Squeeze dual-function package will give ketchup lovers two ways to enjoy Heinz Ketchup: either peel back the lid for...
Commit To Be Fit & Columbus Metro Parks Wellness In The Woods Video
Last month Columbus Metro Parks and Commit To Be Fit held a Wellness in the Woods event. An incredible morning was enjoyed by all participants. Look for the next Wellness in the Woods coming in April....
One of the Largest Midwest Maternity, Baby & Kid’s Expo Grows To Columbus And Cleveland
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Michele Savoldi, columbus imPRessions 740.816.3251 or Michele@columbusimpressions.comorKendra, Nicastro, K.C.’s Creative Events740.972.1471 or kcscreativeevents@yahoo.comOhio mom of two creates event that caters to expectant and young familiesBecoming a parent and raising a family is a difficult blessing and Kendra Nicastro knows first-hand what that is like. Being...
Today I found a cool website worth sharing.Vintage Ad BrowserThere you can find vintage advertisements for various topics dating back to the mid-1800's.An early alcohol advertisement from the 1840's.A movie ad from the 1930's.Thanks All My Favs for this new website. I've definitely added it to my favs!...
A few months ago I partnered with new client, 10TV Commit To Be Fit! I love the program and the folks I work with at 10TV, especially Andrea, the spokesperson for the program.Yesterday I spent the day manning the Commit To Be Fit booth at the Kids Sports & Fitness...
Baby Bonanza & Kid's Expo, columbus imPRessions Newest Client
I'm assisting my newest client, Baby Bonanza & Kid Expo, with some PR for their upcoming Expos in Cleveland and Columbus.Baby Bonanza & Kid's Expo has become one of the largest consumer maternity, baby and kid's shows in the country and specifically focuses on families with children ages 0 -...
Forums
Upcoming Web Seminars 2/8/10 - 2/12/10
Several times a week, we offer free, hour-long web seminars on our website. The seminars usually focus on Blackbaud products or best practices for nonprofits. To register, select Web Seminars from the Events menu on our website, find a seminar you want to attend, and click Register Now. Once you submit...
Automatically Reverse Transactions
Have you ever seen the Reverse on column in Journal Entry and wondered what it's for? When adding transactions in a batch, you have the ability to automatically reverse transactions by adding a date in the Reverse on column. The only hitch is that you must enter a Reverse on...
Check Number Vs. Control Number
Have you ever wondered the different between the check number and control number in Accounts Payable (AP)? If so, keep reading. The control number is an internal check number assigned by FW, where the check number is the number assigned by the user when the check is created. This is...
Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks: Adding transactions to a Group of Records is so easy!
Have you ever needed to add a one-time fee to a particular group of students? You can automatically add this fee to the group without adding the fee to records one at a time. Adding transactions to a group is similar to adding a charge, and then copying it to the...
Here are the most popular Forums posts as well as unanswered posts from last week: Most Popular Topics: Data Entry Volume Importing Addresses from query to Global Add Unanswered Posts: Including package attributes in Ack letters How do you code auction winners?...
Blackbaud Announces Global Nonprofit Conference Schedule
Charleston, S.C. (February 3, 2010) – Blackbaud, Inc., (Nasdaq: BLKB) today announced its global conference schedule, including the 2010 Blackbaud Conference for Nonprofits™ — North America on September 7 to 10 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center, Washington, D.C. and the 2010 Blackbaud Conference for Nonprofits™ — Europe...
Beth's Blog: How Nonprofit Organizations Can Use Social Media to Power Social Networks for Change
Nonprofits Should Consider SMS Fundraising With Eyes Wide Open
Photo by OxMour Maybe I'm jaded. But having been in the nonprofit technology since 1993, I've seen a predictable pattern of cycles with new tools and technology. It closely follows Gartner's Technology Hype Cycle Technology Trigger Inflated Expectations Trough of......
Nonprofit Social Media Strategy Map Workshop In Silicon Valley
Compasspoint View more presentations from Beth Kanter. Last November, I had the pleasure of leading a workshop for a 100 Silicon Valley nonprofit organizations in hosted by Compasspoint and generously supported by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The workshop......
Source: National Arts Index It's at times like these -- in the midst of an extended recession and the wake of the tragedy in Haiti -- that the role of funding arts in society may be called into question. After......
Pepsi Refresh Project: An Insider's View - Guest Post by Bonin Bough
Note from Beth: I've been writing about online contests that use social media and crowdsourcing techniques. In December, I wrote about Pepsi's bold move of not spending money on Super Bowl ads for Pepsi beverages but using the money for......
The Dance Floor and The Balcony Social Media Training
OSI Workshop View more presentations from Beth Kanter. I just finished doing a training for Open Society Institute media and information coordinators on social media with colleague, David Sasaki, from Global Voices. I've known since 2005 and I realized that......
Twitter Is A Network Weaver's Best Friend
This past week, June Holley did a brown bag lunch at the Packard Foundation on network weaving and I was lucky enough to learn from her for a few hours! How would I describe June Holley? She's the guru of......
FundraisingCoach.com
5 tips on choosing your nonprofit URL
Q: Marc, I’m embarrassed to admit that we don’t yet have a website. But do you have any advice about choosing a domain name? A: Great question! Getting a memorable domain name is a very important step in online fundraising. All fundraising, really. Donors often check out an organization’s website before...
5 tips for increasing traffic to your nonprofit’s website
Q: Do you know of the best way for my web site www.aidsadvantage.org to come up on search results when people type in the words “Aids, South Africa, Africa”? I wish to increase traffic to my web site and since this is unfamiliar territory I thought you could...
Today’s the birthday of the amazing Beth Kanter. I love her passion for nonprofits and social media. I’m particularly grateful for her helping us in the nonprofit world articulate metrics and ROI. Not only is she a really smart teacher, she’s also doing the actual fundraising herself. A great combination...
When is the best time to host a fundraising movie event?
With the first blog post of 2010, I’m starting a series of posting questions I receive and my answers to them. Sort of a “Dear Abby” for fundraising. I’m calling it “Question Marc” — pun fully intended! It’d be great to have you take part. If you have...
Fundraising Secret #44: Up your giving this year
Wondering how to increase your fundraising effectiveness in 2010? Here’s an idea: increasing your personal giving…to other organizations (not your own). Go check out Jeff Brook’s blog post “Fundraisers who don’t give don’t get it.” In it, he refers to a post by Seth Godin who says: … if you work for...
Can Chase Learn from it’s Community Giving #fail?
Chase embarked on the largest social media contest to date with the announcement of its Chase Community Giving initiative. The contest was supposed to crowd source their philanthropy, allowing Facebook users to vote on which charities would receive their $5 million. But as Beth Kanter writes, they changed the rules...
Nonprofit Law Blog
Nonprofit Corporation Legal Audit
All too often, the issue of legal compliance receives attention from a nonprofit corporation only after a conflict arises. Instead, a nonprofit corporation can better prevent conflicts and protect itself through regular legal audits. Financial audits alone, while important, will......
Here are some of my favorite tweets from the past week: I'll be speaking at ReVisioning Value Conference (intersection of purpose + profit) in Portland on 4/26 - http://is.gd/75SuE The Long Arm of Charitable Solicitation Law from @charitylawyer - http://is.gd/6Tpul......
On January 21, 2009, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that corporations (including nonprofit corporations and unions) may make direct expenditures on political advertising in support of or in opposition to a candidate......
On January 14, 2009, Jill S. Dodd of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP and Bert W. Feuss of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation presented "UPMIFA: One Year Later" for the Northern California Planned Giving Council. UPMIFA is the acronym for......
Here are some of my favorite tweets from the past week: GTak: Philanthropy and Charity Have Different Roles - http://is.gd/6uofr (Steve Gunderson - COF) philaction: What metrics should we be tracking to assess impact of donor advice on Haiti giving?......
I had a nice opportunity today to talk with the folks at La Piana Consulting, a national firm dedicated to strengthening nonprofits and foundations, about nonprofit mergers from a legal perspective. La Piana Consulting was founded by David La Piana,......
Bob Ottenhoff Blog
Multitasking Philanthropy and Shopping
I went to the supermarket the other day to do the weekly family food shopping and, while I was paying my bill, the checkout clerk asked me if I wanted to make a contribution to a charity. I said no, but I felt a little guilty about it. ...
Last Friday’s New York Times included an excellent article by Ariel Kaminer on giving to Haitian recovery. It includes two questions that my colleagues and I have been answering since the crisis began: "What about in-kind donations?" The article tells of a store in New York City where generous patrons donated...
Current and Past Disaster Giving
On January 18 the Giving Institute and Giving USA Foundation, working with the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, released an analysis of giving during the first five days since the earthquake in Haiti. As of the 18th, $189.9 million had been donated to 43 organizations for relief efforts. This tracks with...
Another Way to Help as the Crisis in Haiti Continues
It seems that everyone—including GuideStar—has a list of organizations helping in Haiti. And with these lists come questions. From donors: Which organization(s) should I support? From nonprofits: How does my organization get the public’s attention? Working with our partner GreatNonprofits, we have created a...
Further Thoughts about Helping in Haiti
I just read an excellent post on Tactical Philanthropy. In it, Sean Stannard-Stockton looks at responses to previous disasters and encourages donors to take those lessons into account when giving to relief efforts in Haiti. We at GuideStar agree completely. In fact, during the Katrina crisis we began reminding reporters and...
Last night a powerful earthquake shook Haiti and devastated much of that impoverished island nation’s capital, Port-au-Prince. It goes without saying that our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected by this disaster. As always, donors in this country have been quick to offer their help. ...