Nonprofit Bridge

This week I had the pleasure of participating in Nten’s first Online Nonprofit Technology Conference.  While on a much smaller scale than the annual spring event, the two days of online webinars featured some of our sector’s brightest stars and allowed an opportunity for much more interaction with the presenters than is normally possible at the live event.  Some highlights:

• Network for Good’s Katya Andresen reminded us that raising awareness of our organizations isn’t enough, it’s to ‘get someone to take an action.’    She also recommended we let the constituent be the messenger for our cause (much more effective than if message comes directly from organization).   She implored us to focus on the donor when designing our web sites, not on the organization structure, mentioning Kiva and DonorsChoose as examples of how to do this right.
• ConmmonGood Career’s James Weinberg described how social networking sites are replacing online job boards.  As a way to encourage staff longevity, he suggested finding ways to change job responsibilities even if the position doesn’t change.   If nonprofits can’t create opportunities for staff to advance, it is their responsibility to help them move elsewhere (not sure how many nonprofits would agree)
• Idealware’s Laura Quinn offered a sneak peak at her Field Guide to Software, to be released later this year.  She added that the choice of donor database is probably the most critical decision (and to make sure everyone in organization is comfortable using it)
• Beaconfire’s Michael Cervino discussed using benchmarks from sites such as PewInternet and  e-Benchmarks-Study to measure how well our organizations are performing, also showing how Google Analytics funnels can be used effectively.  He also described how online surveys are best used frequently with few questions.  (I added this is a great way to add data to help segment your database)
• Philantech’s Dahna Goldstein discussed how to help staff deal with change, e.g. making sure that staff are fully involved and kept informed
• Consultant John Kenyon and American Lung’s Rusty Burwell discussed online communications and the importance of inter-department collaboration.  See my previous post on this topic.  In response to my question, John stated emphatically that social media will never replace email as the main communications medium.

Thanks to Holly and the NTen staff for putting on another great program, and congrats also to Holly for being recognized by Nonprofit Times in the Top 50 Power and Influence!

A recent Chronicle of Philanthropy article mentions that not only have many nonprofit organizations (including my own) already had to cut staff, but that worse times are ahead.   A Foundation Center forecast describes how foundations are dealing with the economic crisis.  According to this New York Times article, rising unemployment is threatening worldwide stability.  Is there any good news left?

In a recent enewsletter, usability guru Jakob Nielsen recommends email newsletters and search engine marketing as the two most cost effective Internet marketing techniques.  Network for Good’s Katye Andresen offers 5 Keys to Pulling out of the Economic Nosedive.   Commenting on Donor Digital’s recent findings, Sue Woodward recommends that despite a slight drop in average gifts, the number of donations has so far remained steady and that nonprofits should continue to use the tools, strategies and techniques that have made your your fundraising plans successful in the past.

Fund-It offers a way to raise funds every time constituents search, adding functionality over past tools of this type such as GoodSearch and Freelanthropy.

John Kenyon offers tips for creating your 2009 online fundraising plan.  Network for Good advises on a simple way to make donating easier for donors.  Heather Mansfield offers Five Things Your Nonprofit Needs to Know About Web 2.0 Donors.

With our resources so constrained, is social media still worth the investment?  Social Velocity thinks so but this Non-Profit Tech Blog post seems to indicate that other priorities must come first.

Finally, Internet Strategy Forum founder Steve Gehlen offers the State of the Internet Executive, a synposis of a recently completed study on how differently online strategies are managed in a wide range of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.  The updated study is now available.

Meanwhile, at my organization, while I feel fortunate to still have my job, I’m busier than ever trying to keep up.  What ways have you found to stay upbeat while so many nonprofits are struggling?