Reference Guide for Nonprofits and Technology

This resource list contains citations to selected works from the Foundation Center's bibliographic database Catalog of Nonprofit Literature on nonprofits and technology. For complete bibliographies on these topics, search Catalog of Nonprofit Literature using the following subject headings in the subject field:

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY FUNDRAISING—COMPUTER AIDED INTERNET

INTERNET—DIRECTORIES TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Web Resources

Techsoup (http://www.techsoup.org)
Web-based resource center provides a range of technology services for nonprofits, including news and articles, discussion forums, and discounted and donated technology products.

Download.com (http://download.cnet.com)
Serves as a virtual warehouse of software and shareware of all kinds.

Ebase Available for downloading, free of charge, this database is designed to help nonprofits effectively manage interactive communications with their members, donors, and volunteers.

Full-text Resources Available Online

Allen, Nick et al. Online Fundraising Handbook: Making the Most of the Web and Email to Raise More Money Online. San Francisco, CA: Groundspring.org, 2004.

Bhagat, Vinay, et al. The Online Marketing (eCRM) Nonprofit Benchmark Index Study . Austin, TX: Convio, Inc., 2007. The first annual report on which aspects of online marketing nonprofit organizations should emphasize. Analyzes web site traffic, online registrations, and response to fundraising e-mail appeals from 30 Convio clients of various sizes and missions. Data is meant to provide a scale against which other organizations can measure themselves.

Causer, Craig. "Microsites Maximizing Online Participation." NonProfit Times 19 (1 April 2005) p. 20-21. Explains how nonprofits are creating special interest web sites in addition to their main sites in order to disseminate more targeted information to supporters.

Ghidotti, Natalie and Mark Hrywna. "Turbo-charged Web Use: Embracing Technology to Tell Stories, Raise Funds, and Create Loyalty.” NonProfit Times 21 (1 April 2007) p. 1, 4, 6. Gives examples of nonprofits that are utilizing MySpace, mapping tools, and other emerging technologies to help expand the reach of their web sites.

Treuhaft, Sarah et all. Bridging the Innovation Divide: An Agenda for Disseminating Technology Innovations Within the Nonprofit Sector . Oakland, CA: PolicyLink, 2007. Technology plays an important role in enabling nonprofits to respond to social needs, and to perform fundamental functions—research, communications, public education, advocacy, fundraising, program development, and service delivery—with ever-greater speed and efficiency. But unequal access to the newest technologies has created an "innovation divide," according to the authors. Therefore, adoption of many newer applications remain concentrated among a handful of organizations with high technology capacity. The report offers a plan for addressing the issue.

Westcott, Scott. "Face Time.” Chronicle of Philanthropy 19 (25 January 2007) p. T-2-3. Nonprofit organizations are using social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook to connect to volunteers, promote awareness, and increase membership. Westcott stresses the importance of understanding the culture of these sites and maintaining fresh content in order to sustain online relationships.

Print Resources

Cortés, Michael and Kevin M. Rafter. (eds.) Nonprofits and Technology: Emerging Research for Usable Knowledge. Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books, 2007.

Grobman, Gary M. and Gary B. Grant. Fundraising Online: Using the Internet to Raise Serious Money for Your Nonprofit Organization. Harrisburg, PA: White Hat Communications. 2006. Information about the options currently in use for online fundraising, with an emphasis on resources that are available to assist in decision-making. The process begins with a fundraising plan, and may include electronic newsletters, podcasts, online stores, and other techniques. Practical advice is accompanied by numerous illustrations.

Hart, Ted et al. Nonprofit Internet Strategies: Best Practices for Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising Success. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2005. Covers the multiple aspects of utilizing the potential of the Internet, including developing a strategy, planning, staffing, building an online community, enhancing the brand, and creating an integrated fundraising plan. One chapter deals with legal issues, while appendices include a code of ethics for online practices.

McGivern, Mary Ann. "Building Online Community: A Key to Fundraising on the Internet." Grassroots Fundraising Journal 26 (July/August 2007): 13-15. Recommends building an online community through listservs, newsletters, chat rooms, and action alerts. The author argues that individuals are more likely to give to communities they feel a part of, rather than web pages with "donate now" buttons.

Hall, Holly and Peter Panepento. "Experts Offer Tips on Getting the Most From Interactive Technology." Chronicle of Philanthropy 19 (22 March 2007): 28.

Warwick, Mal, Ted Hart, and Nick Allen (eds.) Fundraising on the Internet: The ePhilanthropyFoundation.org's Guide to Success Online. 2nd ed. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers. 2002. A compendium by various specialists, the coverage includes how to recruit donors online, managing web site content, use of charity portals, and electronic prospect research among many other topics.

For more Web resources, check the Nonprofits and Technology Month Archive section on the Foundation Center's Web site.