Webinar: Can Nonprofits Raise Money With Social Media?

It's the age-old question for nonprofits: Can you raise money using social media? While studies done over the last three years show that the answer is generally "no," that doesn't mean organizations should abandon ship.

The NonProfit Times, in partnership with the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN), is proud to present "Can Nonprofits Raise Money With Social Media?" This webinar, which is happening on October 25th at 1:00 p.m. EST, will show how social media is a great way to deepen relationships with your community and eventually turn them into donors, featuring expert opinions by Allyson Kapin of Rad Campaign, Lindsey Twombley of the Human Rights Campaign, and Danielle Brigida of the National Wildlife Federation.

Here is just some of the information you will take away from this special event:

• Strategies that can help you move from single to multi-channel ways to engage and fundraise;
• A suggestion of tools that help you move agilely in a rapidly changing environment; and,
• Information about future trends to help keep your marketing mix fresh and innovative.

This special premium webinar event puts you directly in conversation with expert panelists. Take advantage of our advance registration discount: purchase your registration at our online store by October 20th to receive the early-bird rate of just $49. Full registration after October 20th will be $69.

Register today at the best rate so your organization can be on top when it comes to social and digital engagement.

4 Professional Development Ideas

Professional development is a key skill for any employee to learn. Whether it's advancing in the ranks at your current job or taking your talents elsewhere, it's important to never to be satisfied staying in one position.

While it's always preferable to advance within your current organization, sometimes that's not in the cards. The current job market is incredibly competitive which means you will have to present yourself as a unique talent should you decide it's time to start somewhere new.

During the Blackbaud Conference for Nonprofits in National Harbor, Md., William F. Bartolini, associate vice president for development at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., offered advice on how to make yourself look unique to employers.

• Find Your Passion: Sit down and figure out what your best attributes are. Test your list with a trusted friend along with a trusted co-worker.
• Create A List: Use the list to describe your accomplishments, challenges you’ve faced and experiences you want to have.
• Elevator Speech: Prepare a short speech that encapsulates your experiences and advantages. These types of speeches should last 30 seconds. Make them brief.
• Where Will You Go?: Outline what the ins and outs to your work are. Do you want to be involved in fundraising or do a little of everything? Do you want to work in a small shop or big shop? These are all questions you should be asking yourself.

The October 1 2013 Issue Of The NonProfit Times

The beginning of a new month means a lot of things but here at NPT it means one thing in particular: The release of a new issue.

We are proud to bring to our readers the October 1st edition of The NonProfit Times. Within the pages of this issue you will find stories on the NAACP's leadership transition, how the floods in Colorado have affected nonprofits, and much more. Here's a quick overview of some of the main stores in the October 1 issue:

Special Report

• Special Report - Professional Development 2013: Each year we do a special report on professional development in the nonprofit sector. This year's report focuses on how preparation remains key to landing a nonprofit job in today's market.

Articles

• NAACP Leadership Transition Spotlights New Generation Of Leaders: Where does the NAACP go from here now that Benjamin Jealous has stepped down as CEO?
• In Colorado - Safe Shelter And Food Tough To Get When Everything Floods: The recent floods in Colorado have had a huge effect on all organizations in the states but, according to our report, it hit food and shelter agencies the hardest.
• A Year After Sandy Much Is Still To Be Done: The American Red Cross’s $307 million hasn’t fixed it yet, and neither has the Robin Hood Foundation’s $73 million. The New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, devastated by Super Storm Sandy one year ago this month took lifetimes to build and “was destroyed in hours, and will take months and years to rebuild,” said Roger Lowe, senior vice president of communications for the Washington, D.C.-based American Red Cross.

Columns

• General Ramblings - A Debut: Our Editor-in-Chief Paul Clolery's latest opinion column takes aim at Robert Reich's recent suggestion that public schools should not be allowed to have private foundations.
• Controversy: Does volunteering for the upcoming Super Bowl in New Jersey make you a "chump," as one sports commentator recently opined? Our resident volunteer expert, Susan J. Ellis, takes issue with this suggestion.

Also included in this issue of The NonProfit Times is our Professional Development Guide, which advertises services for those wishing to go back to school for nonprofit management.

4 Questions To Ask About Web Technology

Though some would like to believe otherwise, there is simply no way to run a successful nonprofit or business in today's world without being at least familiar with online technology. There are many questions managers will have but, according to experts speaking at this year's Bridge Conference, they should start with their organization's website.

Speaking at the New York City-based conference, representatives of Big Duck and the Environmental Defense Fund said that website technology is an important component of maintaining a good site and keeping it effective.

Getting the most of this technology, the representatives said, means answering specific questions regarding your current web hosting. They said that if the organization cannot give a definitive yes answer to the questions, then it is time to re-evaluate the content management and constituent management systems (CMS and CRM) and to consider alternatives.

The questions you should ask are:

• Does the organization have a way to track actions such as donations, open rates and event sign-ups?
• Is there enough support for the system that there is confidence it will be around for the long term?
• Does the site’s publishing system make it easy for staff to update content?
• Does the site have the tools and functions to meet organization goals and those of the organization’s audience?