By Nicole Hsiang
In a time when the terms Google, YouTube, and Facebook are now words you can find in the dictionary, the power of the internet is undeniable. The internet is a world without borders, where each user is granted equal access to information, the freedom and space to establish a unique identity, and build community with like-minded people. From the very young to the very old, people are starting more than just an email account. Through the internet, they’re joining social and professional networks, chatting, blogging, building websites, watching TV, and downloading music.
It’s not surprising then, that most non-profit organizations use the internet to promote their work. As soon as someone hears about an organization, what do they do? Visit their website. Without leaving their chair, they may view an organization’s work and mission, and, if they like what they see, they can make a donation with a click of a button. Just one click, and you can save lives, feed the hungry, or free an animal.
Here are a few of my favorite sites that help non-profit organizations and donors, making it easier to network and fundraise:
Firstgiving is a site that allows individuals to set up their own personalized fundraising page, where you can see your fundraising goal, how much you’ve raised, and who has given to you. This tool is especially useful for fundraising events that require sponsorships, such as walk-a-thons. In fact, I am using it right now to raise money for Walk Against Rape, a fundraiser for San Francisco Women Against Rape! An hour after I emailed the link out to my friends, I had a new donation literally every time I refreshed the page!
Facebook. I’m sure you have heard of the popular community networking tool that is now home to over 65 million users. First, you find your friends, and then you make friends with their friends! After that, you may use Facebook to post announcements from your organization to your community. You can also use their application Causes, which allows you to invite Facebook users to join your “cause,” donate, and recruit their friends to join as well.
Goodsearch is a search engine that uses Yahoo results to power it. Why choose it over Google? For every search you make, 1 cent will be donated to your organization. That makes a lot of cents.
Charity Navigator is a widely known and reputed charity evaluation site. After assessing the financial health of your non-profit organization based on your 990 tax statement, they report your (hopefully) good standing to potential donors. They even offer a virtual “badge” that you can stick on your site to show off your excellent rating! The Agape Foundation, which was bestowed a 4 star rating from Charity Navigator, has gained several new donors as a result of it.
Network for Good, the originators of the “donate now” button, now lets you give to any non profit organization in the U.S. from their website alone. What’s even cooler is that they create a record of your donations that you can see at any time. And their service fee is 4.75%, which is lower cost than most other online donation sites.
As we get caught up in the limitless possibilities of online marketing, we mustn’t forget that it will never replace the significance of more personal forms of interaction. For myself, it will always be really nice and special to get a hand-addressed letter in the mail, or a phone call from a board member. The internet is simply a tool that makes it easier to reach out to more people. Balancing out the value versus the efficiency of your interactions is up for you to decide.
Tags: facebook, firstgiving, fundraising, goodsearch, internet, network for good, non profit