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Technology and Philanthropy Leaders Convene to Discuss How Online Engagement Makes a Difference for the Nonprofit Sector

Technology and Philanthropy Leaders Convene to Discuss How Online Engagement Makes a Difference for the Nonprofit Sector

Published 03-12-03

Submitted by ePhilanthropy

More than 600 leaders from nonprofit organizations, corporations and foundations gathered together at the Oakland Marriott City Center on Sunday, March 9 and Monday, March 10 for “From a Connected World to an Engaged World” an unprecedented convergence of four major conferences about online engagement. The organizers of the conferences—the 4th Annual e-Philanthropy Conference, the N-TEN Roundup, the 2003 e-Philanthropy/United Way e-Business Forum and the TechFunders Summit—brought their constituencies together to discuss the challenges and opportunities the Internet provides the nonprofit sector. The diverse stakeholders in attendance are the early adopters who will shape how nonprofits accomplish their mission using technology, and the Internet specifically, as well as shape how the Internet meets the needs of the nonprofit sector over the next five years.

“The 4th annual e-Philanthropy conference marks the continuation of the nonprofit world’s embrace of Internet technology. ‘From a Connected World to an Engaged World,’ will demonstrate how nonprofits use information technology and the Internet as critical tools to educate the public, advocate on issues of importance, recruit volunteers and raise resources. The Internet is a powerful instrument to help nonprofits achieve their missions,” said Peter Shiras, Interim President and CEO of Independent Sector.

Jeremy Rifkin, President of the Foundation on Economic Trends and a keynote speaker, asked attendees to remember that the social sector is the primary place where bonds and relationships are created. He encouraged them to continue relationship building online and to think about using the Internet to create social bonds and not just to recreate commerce.

The conference marked the public debut of “Towards e-Engagement: How Nonprofits and Individuals Engage Online”, a recently completed research initiative that represents a broad collaborative effort among several organizations in the nonprofit sector. The Kellogg Foundation provided the funding; Network for Good and The Bridgespan Group conducted the research; GuideStar contacted their newsletter member network inviting them to participate in the survey, and ePhilanthropyFoundation.org promoted the survey through its email newsletter.

This research was undertaken to better understand how individuals are using the Internet to engage with nonprofit organizations and causes, and how nonprofits are using the Internet to advance their objectives. Over 10,000 individuals participated in two online surveys regarding their donating and volunteering experiences, both online and offline. And over 1,000 nonprofit organizations were polled about their Internet presence.

Among the major findings:

Most nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are using the Internet to communicate with their supporters.

· Virtually all of the NPO respondents either currently have a Web site or plan to add one in 2003, both providing information and gathering support.

The Internet is becoming increasingly important to users who want to engage with and support causes and organizations.

· A majority (58%) of Internet users are using the Internet to search for information, volunteer, donate, and sign petitions for causes or organizations they want to support

The Internet is spurring individuals to action, both offline and online.

· More than 50% took some additional action, either online or offline, after visiting a nonprofit’s Web site.

· 60% stated that they either would NOT have taken further action or were not sure they would have taken additional action had they not visited the Web site.

Online Giving is growing, but still represents a small portion of overall giving; volunteering and
e-advocacy opportunities are gaining real momentum.

· Only one in ten polled had given via the Internet.

· Nonprofit respondents reported that 1/4 of the total number of volunteers recruited in 2002 had enlisted through their Websites.

· Almost half of all respondents had signed a petition online.

Ken Weber, President of Network for Good said, “The research findings underscore the importance of an online presence for nonprofit organizations and the causes they represent. The Internet is moving beyond a vital source of information to a productive vehicle for nonprofits to gather support and interact with their constituents. As the Internet continues to gain importance in the lives of everyday Americans, it also a provides new opportunities, not just for fundraising, but to advance all facets of an organization’s mission.”

The Internet and philanthropy can work together especially during challenging economic times. As Jody Mahoney, Development Director, CompuMentor said, “"The next few years represent one of the most challenging times in the history of the nonprofit sector. In the midst of a continuing economic downturn, nonprofits are faced with a significant drop in funding and a major increase in demand for their services. Nonprofits must learn how to accomplish more with less. It is time for the sector to collaborate closely in developing smart, imaginative, and effective uses of technology to help nonprofits achieve this goal.”

The 4th Annual e-Philanthropy conference is a unique opportunity for stakeholders working in the social sector to learn together and share experiences in the world of online engagement: giving, volunteering and community building. This year’s conference expands on the success of the first White House Conference on Philanthropy in Washington, D.C. in October 1999, the second conference held in September 2000 in San Jose, CA and the third conference which was in March 2002 in Tyson’s Corner, VA. The goals of the e-Philanthropy conference are to: increase nonprofit adoption of technology for online engagement; increase public confidence about online engagement; and shape an agenda to move the field of online engagement forward.

e-Philanthropy Conference Sponsors:

AOL Time Warner Foundation
CompuMentor
Convio, Inc.
ePhilanthropyFoundation.org
Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers
Groundspring.org
Independent Sector
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Microsoft
Network for Good
NPower
N-TEN
Surdna Foundation
Teaming for Technology
TechFoundation
United Way of America
Verizon Foundation
VolunteerMatch
W.K. Kellogg Foundation

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