One of the other people running a workshop at the recent Circuit Riders conference was US-based consultant John Kenyon, who wrote afterwards:
It was exciting to hear about the different experiences of these consultants with nonprofit/charity organizations. As always when meeting with nonprofit consultants I am struck by the thread of commonality that connects us all. We all face similar challenges in communicating and marketing our services, creating work agreements, doing investigations, collecting data, determining the best intervention and helping organizations with managing change. Our clients also face similar challenges with internal capacity, improving their capabilities and especially in getting funding for technology initiatives.
During a break, I asked John about some of the US-UK differences he found. He explained that while there is less Government funding for nonprofits in the US, there are more foundations. Increasingly these are not responding to funding proposals, but going out and finding organisations that they wish to choose to support. That make online presence even more important.
John says you have to be up to date, with good content. That could be strong stories from those the organisation aims to serve. However, content is not enough ... you need to have a personal presence as well.
People don't just relate to content, people relate to people.
Previously: Reality checks on using Web 2.0 for social change
Technorati Tags: nonprofit, nptech, nptechuk, circuit riders
Dear Staff,We are seriously seeking a fundraising volunteer in the U.S.A to assist our children's centre in Kenya.Please assist!Kindest regards,Edith NyamburaPrincipal Mother Teresa Children's CentreP.O Box 3305NakuruKenyaEmail:m_teresa70@yahoo.com
Posted by: Edith Nyambura | April 07, 2008 at 03:07 PM