Nonprofit Technology Management Features

Fund Accounting Applications

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:16:05 +0100

Fund accounting software is not the same thing as general accounting software, although many nonprofits often confuse the two. “A number of products presented as NFP solutions, are in fact NOT NFP,” warns Randy Johnston, executive vice president of K2 Enterprises, a provider of professional education to accountants. “They can’t do true fund accounting, and don’t have other key capabilities like proper project accounting.”

Nonprofits Using Social Media to Engage and Share, Sage Survey

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:47:44 +0100

Sage North America has announced the results of its recently conducted social media survey for nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada. One of the most interesting findings: 91% of respondents raise funds online, but only 58 percent of those nonprofits using social media cite fundraising as a goal for using it. “Sharing our story,” building a community, public relations, and donor engagement/retention – not raising funds – were listed as the nonprofits’ top reasons for engaging in social media.

Auctions and Swap Meets for Nonprofits

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:31:33 +0100

Raising cash from tried-and-true donors is now more trying than true. Efforts to stir donors to action fall flat more often than not. “I just can’t make monthly donations to charities anymore,” says Nana Duffey, a retired civil servant and regular donor. “So many family members are out of work because of the recession; I have to help family. I feel sorry for nonprofits, though. I know they’re suffering too.” Facing this near unbreakable Catch-22, nonprofits are augmenting seemingly futile attempts to retain regular donors with online auctions designed to cash-in on less charitable-minded audiences.

Tony Martignetti - SharpeNet Overview

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:44:45 +0100

Editor, Scott Koegler talks with Tony Martignetti, Esq. Managing Director Martignetti Planned Giving Advisors about the SharpeNet online service for enabling planned giving.

Interview with Tom Epplett of IATS

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:30:31 +0100

Editor, Scott Koegler talks with Tom Epplett, COO of IATS, a Ticketmaster Company. Click below to listen to this interview.

Boosting Your Event Strategy With Social Networking

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:56:10 +0100

Social networking is a topic of many conversations these days, and for good reason. It’s estimated that 65 percent of teenagers in the United States and 35 percent of adults maintain at least one social networking profile. Popular sites such as Facebook and MySpace connect millions upon millions of people online every day, cultivating social ecosystems that are ideally suited for organizations to recruit participants and build momentum for grassroots events.

Scanners for Non Profits

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:42:37 +0100

Even though office scanners have only been around since the early 1990s, when they were aimed (and priced) mostly for the business market, in just a little over a decade the devices have become nearly ubiquitous, either as stand-alone devices, or built in to all-in-one printer/scanning/faxing devices.

Building Your Donor Database

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:18:40 +0100

It’s neither a secret nor a surprise that donations are down and need is up in this battered economy. Qualified donor lists are more valuable than ever but they are shrinking in terms of donor numbers and average donations. The usual barrage of donor solicitations is fizzling fast. To overcome these challenges, here are three productive and innovative ways to honorably build your donor lists right now:

Interview with Tony Martignetti - Planned Giving Primmer

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:34:59 +0100

Editor, Scott Koegler talks with Tony Martignetti, Esq. Managing Director Martignetti Planned Giving Advisors about planned giving, what it is, and when your nonprofit should investigate the practice.

Buddy, Can You Spare a Byte: Fundraising Technology in an Economic Downturn

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:29:19 +0100

Nonprofit technology firms are actively addressing the economic downturn—and subsequent decline in charitable giving—with creative approaches, as participants who attended Fund Raising Day in New York 2009 have learned.

Cell Phones for Nonprofits

Thu, 21 May 2009 20:15:12 +0100

Most nonprofits would find it impossible to operate without cell phones these days. However, it is important to choose the right handsets and carriers to get the job done.

The criteria for selecting carriers and handsets are as varied as the nonprofits themselves. For some, like the American Red Cross, disaster relief requires collaboration and mobile compatibility with federal relief agencies, such as FEMA, which have adopted their own standards and regulations. For the American Red Cross and other nonprofits, cell phones are also the lifeline from remote places.

NTEN Conference Tech Vendors Show Products at NTEN Conference

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:49:52 +0100

The burgeoning swine-flu threat didn't seem to keep any of the 1,400 registered attendees from the April 2009 NTEN (Nonprofit Technology Network) Conference that took place this week in San Francisco. They sat in on several dozen conferences on topics ranging from "Budgeting For and Funding Technology" and "Maximizing Google Grants," to "Better Storytelling" and "The Softer Side of Tech Consulting" (how to read a client's mood), keynoted by famed new-media thinker Clay Shirkey.

Constituent Management/Fundraising Software Roundup

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:51:44 +0100

Dozens of applications that enable nonprofits to track constituents and perform routine fundraising chores are available. Solutions can be as simple as a combination of an off-the-shelf email program and Microsoft Excel, or as complex as large-scale, customizable programs that can help you manage the details of thousands of relationships.

Over the past few years, the most visible, and probably the most significant, new trend in constituent management software is that there are now many Web-based applications. These provide many advantage over locally-hosted applications, but aren't the answer for everyone.

Tech Firms Introduce New Products At AFP Gathering

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:18:10 +0100

Technology firms attending the Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference in New Orleans in late March unveiled upgraded internet tools and ways to keep clients' costs down and also focused on integrating social-network practices in software solutions.

Event Planning Up Front

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:12:59 +0100

Events remain a top source of fundraising for nonprofits but advertising and promotion dollars are steadily dwindling making it harder to pump up participation and donations. “I believe it’s an art to work with a small budget, especially when the economy takes a nose dive,” says Mandy J. Kimmer, APR, CPRC, Marketing/Public Relations Coordinator, The OC Club, Orange County Parks & Recreation.

Is Social Networking Working for NonProfits?

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:12:01 +0100

Hailed as the saving grace for businesses and nonprofits alike, social networking specialists and efforts are as plentiful as cash donations once were. But are new tools like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube delivering on their promise of added money and support for struggling nonprofits or is social networking just another passing phase?

Increasing Data Security in an Increasingly Insecure World

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:43:14 +0100

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a nonprofit consumer organization, maintains, on its Web site, a chronology of U.S. data breaches. The list, which the organization began in January 2005, provides the basic details of hundreds of breaches in the for-profit, government, educational, and non-profit (charitable) sectors; breaches are common enough that the list is updated twice a week. The total number of records containing sensitive data that have been involved -- again, this is just in the U.S., and just in three years -- 252,276,766.

Online Auctions As A Fundraising Tool

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:34:06 +0100

Auctions have long been a crucial, and lucrative, element of nonprofit fundraising campaigns, and their popularity has grown in recent years. According to the National Auctioneers Association, more than $16.2 billion was raised in charity auctions in 2007. While the raw dollar figures suggest that auctions are lucrative, dollar returns are not the only indicators of an auction's success. And according to the leaders of two major online auction companies that cater specifically to nonprofits, if your organization is only conducting offline, "event" auctions, and not utilizing online auction resources, it's likely you're passing up many opportunities.

Nonprofit Technology-2008 review-2009 preview

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:40:34 +0100

In many ways, the nonprofit technology world mirrored the for-profit tech arena in 2008, as social media (Web 2.0 applications that enable people to connect easily: e.g. Facebook, MySpace, Ning, Twitter, Digg, YouTube, Flickr, etc.), grew as a set of mainstream communication tools. In the process, the Internet continued to become more of a two-way communication tool for nonprofits than in previous years, while at the same time capacity -- and capabilities -- enabled broader adoption of high-bandwidth tools such as videocasts and real-time videoconferencing.

Debunking Five Myths of Online Fundraising

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:39:33 +0100

Today's challenging economic times mean a lot of nonprofits are looking for new ways to raise money. Many organizations realize the Internet presents a huge opportunity, but most have achieved limited success. If your organization, like many others, has yet to experience strong results raising funds online, the coming year provides an ideal window to experiment with new approaches. A good first step, however, is debunking some myths about online fundraising that might stand in the way of your success.

Budget Tools for Nonprofits

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:04:52 +0100

The idea of a budget is one that most eight year olds can grasp: it's simply an itemized summary of how much you expect to spend along with an estimate of how you expect to collect enough income to cover those expenses. Ideally, the two numbers -- expenses and income -- will match, or come close. Most fiscal conservatives tout the benefits of balancing a budget -- with expenses on one side and income on the other allowing the arm of a metaphorical balancing scale to remain level.

Wireless Devices Fit For Nonprofits

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:30:49 +0100

There is no question that wireless portable communication devices have changed the world, but have they changed the way non-profits operate or have they merely added to the workload of over-stretched staff and overwhelmed volunteers?
In a word, the answer is both.

Nonprofit Technology News Innovation Awards for 2008

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:17:28 +0100

Nonprofit Technology News is proud to announce the winners of the 2008 Innovation Awards. This is the first year for these awards, but even so, the competition has been intense. In the end, the winners were selected because each represents a significant accomplishment, or an indication of a trend.

50 Ways to Make Your Next Auction a Success

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:15:19 +0100

Hosting an auction that is fun for everyone and a successful fundraiser is much like staging a signature event. Your job is to attract an audience, entertain guests and deliver an appealing product. With a few tips and cMarket's help, you can put on a wonderful show that will help your nonprofit's cause in many ways. And you'll have a good time doing it.

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Building Community Using Web Tools

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:29:20 +0100

Facebook and MySpace.
YouTube and Flickr.
Twitter and RSS.
Blogs and wikis.
Meetup and Evite.

There's no shortage of Web 2.0 tools that promise, among other capabilities, to enable groups of all kinds, including nonprofits, help build communities online and assist in bringing together communities in the offline world, as well. Considering that the Web sites and tools listed above are just a small sampling of Internet applications available to assist in community-building, how does an overworked organizer overcome paralysis by analysis? How can your organization go about choosing the best online tools not just to build a community, but also to keep it together?

Fund Accounting Roundup

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:59:11 +0100

While accounting may seem a nerdy side-kick to the heroism of the non-profit’s actual mission, it is the very foundation from which all good works spring. Ignoring or slighting this important operational aspect can lead to plummeting donations, embarrassing scandals and/or diminished effectiveness. Yet, it is common for non-profits to ascribe this important function to antiquated accounting practices.

Twitter for Nonprofits: Networking on the Run

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:27:26 +0100

Twitter is a social short messaging service (SMS). It's microblogging. It's a great way to network and keep in touch with the everyday lives of friends old and new. It's email the way it used to be. It's mobile -- you can Twitter on your cell phone. It's easy to use -- text only. It forces you to be brief: no entry can top 140 characters. It enables you to see what others want you see (personal and professional), and be seen.

Roll Out Your Own Social Network

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:18:46 +0100

Dr. Doolittle could talk to the animals ... and, being a veterinarian and an animal lover, he also spoke for the animals. The latter is, in a nutshell, what the ASPCA (The Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) does, ergo its motto: "We are their voice." Formed in 1866, when sending a telegraph message meant you were on communication's cutting edge, the ASPCA has a long, proud, history, and in speaking for the animals, the organization embraces every channel that has potential to spread its messages.

6 Unique Online Fundraising Techniques for Your Nonprofit - Part 3

Mon, 05 May 2008 14:26:57 +0100

I n part 3, we discuss why email is such a valuable tool for fundraisers.

1. Cost effective- Nonprofit organizations more than anyone realize the importance of maximizing the effectiveness of their resources. Traditional forms of marketing are becoming less justified as the costs associated continue to increase with little correlation to actual results. Email marketing presents one of the most cost efficient ways for nonprofits to reach their supporters.

Event Management - Planning IS the Difference

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:31:31 +0100

Heather Carpenter , a veteran nonprofit manager and consultant who’s now a Ph.D. student in Nonprofit Leadership, recalls an event she planned for Aspiration , an organization that advises other nonprofits on technology. “For one meal we were having hamburgers. We had everything we needed -- except condiments."

No big deal, right? Wrong, says Carpenter. "People noticed that. People notice everything."

Ground Rules for Strategic Alliances

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:00:00 +0100

Can you visualize this? You are settling in for the evening and put a movie into the DVD player. You decided to make popcorn and have turned on the stove, added the oil and popcorn to the pan when the phone rings. You turn the heat down and inadvertently take the lid with you as you sprint into the adjoining room to answer the phone. It’s an important contact you have been waiting for all week. Little do you realize that turning down the heat did not stop the popcorn from reaching the popping point. The popcorn pops. You are holding the lid.

Finding Your Next List

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:13:43 +0100

Acquiring fresh and effective mailing lists has always been a challenge for nonprofit organizations, and the business has been undergoing major changes over the past decade or so. With the rise of the Internet, the addition of email addresses to physical addresses has had a wide impact on nonprofits of all sizes. Meanwhile, predictive modeling tools have become much more robust and sophisticated over time.

TRUST: The Key Ingredient to Keeping and Building Your Best Staff

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:57:30 +0100

If your best employees don’t believe trust is a key ingredient for your staff, you can be sure they will develop a roving eye for other employment opportunities. For public benefit organizations with small administrative budges and tight staffing, losing a good employee can be a substantial loss of your trained and competent workforce.

Your Email System: Should You Host Or Own It?

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 07:05:31 +0100

Email systems are the lifeblood of non-profit organizations. You use them to solicit donations, make announcements, alert the public to special events, or rouse constituents to action. And one of the most critical decisions you make is whether to own your own or subscribe to a hosting service from a third-party email provider.

A 30 Day Step-by-Step Guide to Dramatically Improved Search Engine Optimization

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:54:10 +0100

Part 1 of 4

Do you ever wonder why some websites seem to steal the top positions on search engines? No, it is not magic, and yes, your nonprofit can do it too. The “secret” to achieving this success for your website is by harnessing the power of search engine optimization. By following this step-by-step guide, you will be well on your way to drastically improving your websites standing in only 30 days.

Do You Know What Your Organization is Delivering?

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:54:20 +0100

In May 2005, the independent Panel on the Nonprivate Sector recommended to the Senate Finance Committee that "charitable organizations establish procedures for measuring and evaluating their program accomplishments based on specific goals and objectives."

30 Days to Dramatically Improved Search Engine Optimization for Nonprofits

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:04:02 +0100

The Nonprofit Year in Review

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 13:41:22 +0100

The year 2007 is winding to a close, finishing up one of the most exciting chapters in nonprofit technological achievements. It was the year that brought about greater acceptance of the newer Web 2.0 applications, such as Kintera’s Sphere platform, that allows non-profits to reach thousands of constituents and contributors in a single forum and to create communities in unheard of numbers in real time.

It was the year that vendors brought about advanced offerings that simplified fundraising and contributor research making the Web a powerful ally to even the smallest nonprofits on the planet. NOZA’s free foundation grant database, released in October, immediately comes to mind. It was the year that non-profits began to show up at the social computing events of the decade.

“The popularity of YouTube and social media sites has companies and non-profits alike wondering how they can use video and social media to get their messages out,” says Rick Whittington, president of Rick Whittington Consulting. “Some forward-thinking organizations are already using these media to promote their causes.”

Five Steps Toward Successful Implementation of Online Fundraising Software

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:21:17 +0100

With the increasing availability of Web-based fundraising software, also known as software as a service (SaaS), non-profit groups now have the option of paying a monthly fee to use fundraising software rather than having to purchase the software and install it, maintain it, and support it themselves.

"We don't have an IT department, and we can't afford to hire someone to take care of our software," says Donna Salacuse, donations manager for Voice of the Faithful, a Catholic lay organization based in Newton, Massachusetts. Previously, before installing DonorPerfect Online, the fundraising database had been written in Microsoft Access, "and we had constant problems backing up the server. We decided we really needed to move to the online hosted application."

Computer systems for nonprofits

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:23:11 +0100

"The nature of the model depends on the kind of animal we are."
--Evolutionary Biologist Richard Dawkins, TED Conference, 2005

It's hard out there for a nonprofit that's trying to make decisions about what kind of computer systems to buy. Every nonprofit, ranging from local organizations with staffs numbering in the single digits to large, relatively well-funded international organizations such as the Red Cross, has unique technology needs. But the basic priniciples for making technology decisions are similar, as is the big challenge: keeping expenses as low as possible. Smaller organizations may simply not have very much money to spend; larger ones have to keep a close eye on the bottom line because donors want to know that most of their money is being spent on the mission, and not the machines.

Tapping the Web

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 07:58:21 +0100

Given the phenomenal successes of non-profits online such as cancer.org, aspca.org and aclu.org, few can argue the impact and import of tapping the Web to move any given cause ahead, both in terms of brand viability and fundraising. Even with these pay-offs from online activities, there are even more resources to be profited from. These include CRM (Customer Resource Management) for improving donor relationships and follow-throughs, and BPM (Business Process Management) for service management to prevent embarrassments in delivery such as those that beset the Red Cross in the Hurricane Katrina aftermath. Unfortunately, too few non-profits know these tools exist, where to find them, and more importantly how to rake money in from the web…

Social Networking and Fundraising

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:20:25 +0100

Last May, Facebook , which has joined MySpace as one of the leading social networking sites on the Web, launched "Causes," an application that enables its users to raise money for -- well, for just about anything nonprofit. Since then, more than four million Facebook users have joined Causes, according to the Non-Pofit Tech Blog . Some of those users have created Cause pages and initiated great recruitment and fundraising efforts, and some have given simply donated through Causes pages.

Fundraising Software At A Crossroads

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:20:15 +0100

Standalone donor databases are on their way out, integrated Web-based services on their way in.

Fundraising is one of the most important things you do. Yet finding the right software to adequately support all aspects of your fundraising efforts can be a challenge—and bewildering—especially with recent developments in that particular technology niche.

Formerly dominated by large standalone donor databases, the fundraising software space has been undergoing a swift evolution in recent years. New integrated packages that provide a broader range of functionality are coming into their own. And customer relationship management (CRM) packages are gaining popularity due to their ability to provide a more holistic view of all the individuals who might be touched by the fundraising process—no matter how tangentially.