Nonprofit Town Hall Meeting- April 3

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Permalink Reply by Mike Deemer on January 26, 2008 at 11:13pm

From what I know in dealing with nonprofits I think (as with most things) communication between the different organizations is key to accomplishing their over-all goal. Because there are so many different org's you sometimes find overlap in the services provided. But when you take a closer look you find that the end goal is different. The "overlap" persists where a need that falls in that grey area is identified and filled . This grey area is where org's can (and have) collaborate to fill the need. However, in order to do this the lines of communication need to be open and easy to find. Unfortunately I've seen where one org thinks that what they do is better than what another org is doing even though they work in the same "sector".

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Hedrick on February 6, 2008 at 7:06am

Of course I have to admit my bias comes with my job, but at the same time I think there is some validity in my concern for non-profits and what appears to be a serious lag-behind in technology. I'm not sure that most nfps have caught up with the ROI involved in well managed technology based projects, or even day to day management, and it in essence puts them 10 steps behind their for-profit counterparts. I'd really like to know how well or not so well technology is working for you, and if some understandable technophoboia, or lack of tools is forcing you to use "last century" ideas.

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Permalink Reply by Theresa Browning on February 10, 2008 at 7:59pm

Lisa, Do you think that might be a reflection of funding? Most NPs first and foremost devote $ to the mission. If their mission is bringing technology to an underserved populations or if their mission is to engage for profits in community (i.e. membership) then I could agree. What type of NPs are you referring to?

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Hedrick on February 11, 2008 at 6:02am

The NP's I'm referring to are definitely not running on a shoe string, and honestly, if any business, profit or not for profit thinks that technology is a luxury or something to do in just case you have extra money, then they're probalby losing money because of that thinking. I know that is a broad generalization, but I have seen even the smallest of businesses, lose their footing because they were too intimidated to use obvious technology resources.

What are obvious resources? Profit or not-for-profit, if no one knows you're out there, you'll have a much harder time getting your product or service into the hands of a consumer. It's not that you would like to have a website, you have to have one, and if you don't it's the equivalent of not being in the yellow pages 40 years ago.

Another example, if you are a business than can sell online or a non-profit that can take donations online, and because you're afraid of the very inexpensive technology that makes this possible, you are turning money away.

If you're a non-profit looking for sponsors and you have no web presence, then the next person looking for that youth program they'd like to volunteer for, won't find you in Google, but they will find the Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis and that will be the call they make.

If your funding is so tight you can't afford a website, find a sponsor, because that would be dollars devoted to your mission. I guarantee it.

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Permalink Reply by Theresa Browning on February 12, 2008 at 9:33pm

I don't agree. I think if it's the difference between providing a Pap test or food for someone in need and paying someone to update the web site, I'm probably going to spend the $100 on the former rather than the latter. Finding a sponsor is a great concept and somewhat competitive inte nonprofit world. Technoogy is the tool or means, not the end. It's really touch right now in the nonprofit world. Guess we might just have to agree to disagree.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Cross on February 29, 2008 at 10:47pm

Hey Lisa ... reading through this thread and wanted to let you know about a web solution I offer for nonprofits called www.nonprofitsites.com

Our pricing is truly affordable and amazing for nonprofits small and large. Check it out and let me know how I can help any nonprofits that you may come across.

I have worked in providing nonprofits website solutions for over 7 years now.

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Permalink Reply by Cindy Dashnaw on March 18, 2008 at 6:49pm

Annie, did you see the two questions under the first thread you started, labeled "Discussion Topics"?

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