Anna Crofton, over at Whitewater, has written about a report by the Overbrook Foundation on the adoption of Web 2.0 tools by the non-profit sector. The report’s conclusion is that many charities are stuck in the hole that is Web 1.0, feeling overwhelmed by the choice and variety of tools now available. Additionally, it concludes that charities are unsure how to use and adapt these tools

for their needs.

How do we get over this hurdle of confusion? How can we break Web 2.0 down in to manageable – and useful – chunks?

No Comments »

I am very excited to see that an online research community has been launched for fundraisers. fResource has the power to enable users around the world to share knowledge about products, tools and resources that can be useful. This form of collaboration has massive potential if used in the right way (ie by genuine fundraisers/researchers and not by corporations doing some opportunistic self promotion) and the more people that connect to this tool and share their knowledge the more collective intelligence will be amassed. You can register for free now.

No Comments »

Jeff Brooks, of Donor Power Blog authorship, has an article in this month’s Fundraising Success magazine. In it he talks about the approaching (US) Junk Mail Awareness Week, which aims to highlight the shocking waste of paper that currently occurs and the resulting environmental impact. Jeff comes up with 7 ways to ensure your mail is not seen as junk by the recipient. A summary of what I see as the most important suggestions would be:

The need to personalise (“it’s about the donor”), to commoditise (“explain something real the donor can do”), allow and listen to feedback (“give donors control”) and keep your supporters fully informed on both your progress and future plans (“close the loop”).

The thing to note is how these apply just as strongly to email solicitations for support or funds. If online giving is to expand it is important that we do not - however tempting - go down the mass mail route, as ultimately it will devalue this potentially invaluable mode of communication. We should have the sagacity to learn from our mistakes….not repeat them in a different medium.

No Comments »

Although I understand that balanced journalism is to be praised, I think it is worth briefly summarizing all the incredible things Anita Roddick achieved in her tragically short life. I am not ignoring the fact that she had her faults and was criticized for ‘selling out’ to L’Oreal, but what is wrong with uncomplicated thanks for the life of a woman who, by all accounts, transformed the attitudes in the global business community?
With the Body Shop she brought socially and environmentally responsible business to the UK high street and, in so doing, inspired and educated millions. This tireless campaigner put her voice behind causes including Greenpeace, Save the Whale, Brazilian Rainforest, HIV/AIDS, Amnesty, child labour, fair trade, animal testing, Big Issue…the list goes on. She was ahead of her time and will be sadly missed.

No Comments »

In an a report published by the Cabinet Office today – and carried out for them by Volunteering England – it has been found that 81% of respondents had given to charity in the last four weeks. This is fantastic news and I hope it is a fair reflection of reality (I cant help but be slightly skeptical that people, when asked directly by an earnest faced person with a clip board, will say they have put money in a collection box out of guilt/shame rather than because they have – I hope I am wrong!). Anyway, the fact that really caught my eye was that only 34% had used Gift Aid to give tax-efficiently in the last year. What are we doing wrong???

No Comments »

There is a great ‘round-up’ posting on the Philanthropy 2173 blog talking about new media tools. On it I read about Altruistiq, a stock exchange for non-profits. This seems to me like a great bridge between the third and commercial sector. One step on from the FTSE4Good index which measures performance in companies which meet specific CSR standards. Stock prices are moved by market demand so are vulnerable to changing whims, and sadly only open to organizations with a yearly revenue of over $100,000. Regardless of this, what a great idea, and I wish them luck!

No Comments »