studio 501c

series offers an excellent overview of web trends and tools for nonprofits

A recent series from the popular Read/WriteWeb blog provides a great overview of best practices and resources for nonprofits in using the web, including Facebook and MySpace.  I couldn't find links to all of the articles listed in one place, so I've gathered them below.  (And don't forget to read the comments to these posts--they also have lots of good info):

• Is The Web Still a Windfall For Non-Profits?

• Non-Profits on Facebook and MySpace

• Non-Profits Web Tool Kit

• Non-Profits: Plenty of Web Resources, But How Much Success?

• Non-Profits & Web 2.0: Notes From The Real World

nonprofits, nota bene:  This series would be helpful to any group of nonprofit staff members and volunteers considering ways to use the web more effectively.  If your organization has hired a web designer or consultant who is not totally familiar with web strategies for nonprofits, you may want to forward this article to him or her.

Know some nontechie nonprofit leaders?  This blog, studio 501c, is just for them -– the ones who are brilliant and busy and who want to use the web more effectively to promote their nonprofit but who don’t know where to start.  Use the "email this" button below to tell them about studio 501c.  Don’t forget to add that they can sign up to get updates via email. Thanks! 

swipe this: check out the sites and practices of these web-savvy nonprofits

Having been on hiatus, I thought I would jump back in with an easy post: This list of the 59 Smartest Orgs Online from Squidoo.com, Net2, and GetActive is a great one to explore.  See what nonprofit marketing expert Nancy Schwartz has to say about it.  She likes the list and reminds us that "whether any or all of these strategies are right for your organization depends on your marketing goals, and other communications strategies in play."

nonprofits, nota bene: If you're interested in using the web more effectively, ask different staffers or volunteers to each review a few sites and to report back to the group on their findings.  Make sure to examine the sites of those with missions that are close to yours as well as a few that aren't.  If you have a narrow goal, e.g., improving your online donation capacity, concentrate on what the different nonprofits are doing in that area.

P.S.  Very interesting that Barack Obama decided to announce his presidential exploratory committee via the web yesterday.  It was a great way to get a very personal message (as compared, say, to a press conference announcement) out to millions and millions of people.  That video, which features Obama speaking directly to the camera in a home setting, has been featured on major news sites and blogs around the world.

nonprofits can use microsoft word templates for better design, communication

The popular Lifehacker productivity blog asked its readers to help Elyse, who works "for an earnest, mission-driven, do-good non-profit organization that, despite the high quality of our project work, has little time or expertise to devote to details such as aesthetics, formatting, and design"  and who is looking for "tried and true design tips to easily spruce up a document and make it more eye-appealing."

I've long been a fan of designer Chuck Green, who created these wonderful Word templates -- for everything from reports to ads to brochures to certificates -- for OKI Printing Solutions.

Another designer produced these, based on Chuck's work.  (Be sure to page down to the marketing materials to find the report template.)

nonprofits, nota bene: After you've reviewed the Microsoft Word design tips that other Lifehacker readers shared with Elyse (through the link above), check out Chuck Green's Ideabook.com and Jumpola.com, and be sure to sign up for the free newsletters he offers on both sites.  Chuck's advice and articles are fun, inspiring, and informative, and much of his guidance, especially the stuff on Ideabook, is geared to non-designers.  In fact, Ideabook is a studio 501c smart pick!   

the ad that empowered a jilted bride to empower women 'round the world

Kyle Paxman was supposed to get married today, but when she discovered six weeks ago that her fiance was cheating on her, she called off the wedding.  Stuck with a contract for a 180-guest event at a nice hotel, she turned the day into a fundraising benefit for CARE USA and the Vermont Children's Aid Society.

Kyle chose CARE after she happened to see this PSA, I Am Powerful, on television.  From the 9/08/06 New York Times: "[The commercial] shows hundreds of women from various countries striding across a desert, then zeroes in on four who stare straight into the camera and declare, 'I am powerful.'  It ends as a narrator says: 'She has the power to change her world. You have the power to help her,' and it spoke to Ms. Paxman. 'It was the most powerful commercial I’ve ever seen,' she said. 'I knew then that I had found my other cause.' ”

The story has captured the interest of a number of bloggers, at least one of whom was inspired to donate to CARE USA in Kyle's honor. (You can donate to CARE in Kyle's honor here.)

nonprofits, nota bene: Nonprofits should always be ready to leverage current events.  If I worked for CARE, I would try to raise more money by including a link to the New York Times piece on the homepage along with a message encouraging web visitors to join Kyle in supporting CARE.  I'd also feature the story in my next email newsletter.  If I had more time to spare, I'd pitch the story to bloggers like the ones who had already covered the story, e.g., wedding bloggers.  If I worked for the Vermont Children's Home Society (VCHS), I'd do the same.  (You can contact VCHS here.  It does not have an online donation function, so it should get an one, using Idealware's recommendations.)

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my technorati tags: net2, nptech, weddings, brides, vermont, CARE