Should Your Nonprofit Use a Social Scoring System? - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Should Your Nonprofit Use a Social Scoring System? - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: Although tapping into social media influencers could increase awareness and donations, some individuals have expressed wariness about relying too heavily on social scoring for planning social networking strategies. Some critics argue that “key influencers” could also be illegitimate spam accounts, which could actually lead nonprofits to a worse understanding of their real constituents.

Let’s revisit the concept of failure-friendliness � Deborah Elizabeth Finn, Strategist and Consultant

Let’s revisit the concept of failure-friendliness � Deborah Elizabeth Finn, Strategist and Consultant: Although techies vary greatly in their attitudes about projects that don’t work out, we also tend to make tacit assumptions that everyone concerned understands that we are not engaged in an exact science but in an evolving process.

Techies also tend to regard failure as pretty interesting – as a good source of information about what ought to be fixed when Version 97.53.01 of the software is released. We also enjoy working on cool tools, even if such tools don’t actually deliver the outcomes desired by those who are underwriting the project. This form of process orientation can be less than endearing to decision-makers in nonprofit organizations.

Philanthropy 2.0: Giving in the Digital Age - Mobiledia

Philanthropy 2.0: Giving in the Digital Age - Mobiledia: nstead of relying on galas, clipboards and clamoring bells, we have Facebook pages and Kickstarter campaigns. Donating money is as simple as sending a text or clicking a button -- thanks, PayPal -- and it's easier than ever for worthy causes to find a platform. And since young people prefer this digital way of donating, the smartest thing a charity or non-profit organization can do to fund its future is log on and sign in.

How popular is online giving? It's still far from the most prevalent form of charity, but it's definitely on the up-and-up

Packable philanthropy: Donate a TEDx in a Box

Packable philanthropy: Donate a TEDx in a Box: What is a TEDx in a Box, you ask? It’s a suitcase stuffed with everything an economically marginalized community needs to host their very own TEDx event — a projector, an iPod preloaded with subtitled TED Talks, a sound system, camcorders to capture fresh talks, and a how-to guide. TEDx in a Box was an idea that originated at TEDxKibera, a vibrant event held in the slums of Nairobi. With TEDx in a Box, individuals in the developing world and other underserved areas are delivered all the resources they need for an event, packaged into a portable box designed by IDEO. So far, boxes have been shipped to organizers in Ecuador, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, India and Pakistan — and counting.

How social media is supporting small charities

How social media is supporting small charities: he true value of the impact social media has on fundraising projects was demonstrated to me during a recent visit to The Gambia, where I worked with the Glove Project, an organisation which works to improve local villages through a mixture of aid and enterprise. The project is part-funded via a tour company called Tilly’s Tours, which employs local people to manage, plan and organise trips for visitors to the Gambian villages. This ensures a regular flow of tourists who meet with the local people and purchase goods which have been created from the tools and training provided by the Glove Project. This system delivers a level of sustainable aid and regular financial support to the Gambian villages, which benefit from regular influx of visitors, many of whom become volunteers.

Twitter experiences connectivity issues on Inauguration Day — Tech News and Analysis

Twitter experiences connectivity issues on Inauguration Day — Tech News and Analysis