by CowGummy

Many non profit organizations are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of using technology to address their communication and capacity building goals. Unfortunately, they often become turned off and frustrated because of their unfamiliarity with the plethora of social media tools available and how to appropriately integrate these tools into their organization.  One of the non profit organizations that I was involved with was asked by their funder to explain why a new web site was needed when a web site was built 2 years ago. My colleagues asked me to put together a “fact sheet” or talking points to help explain to the funder what was different between the proposed web site and what was built 2 years previous.

I enjoyed putting this list together because it helped me explain in plain language what having a web 2.0 site will look like as opposed to the brochure sites that are the default style of so many organizations in the non profit sector. My list doesn’t include an outline or explanation of conducting an online communication strategy that will guide the web site design and development. I will save that for a post next week. I am sure there are pieces that may be added to the list. If you see anything I omitted, please leave a comment.

20 Reasons for Funding a Web 2.0 Non Profit Web Site

1. We will have a in-house user friendly content management system (CMS), making it simple and easy for updating core text or core content (About page, Programs, Staff list etc) posting relevant news, activities & documents from Governments, Agencies, practitioners to individual residents of our Region;

2. We will have a CMS that increases our responsiveness, relevance, collaboration, advocacy and support with our constituents. (including dissemination of various government reports, call for proposals and feedback from our constituents to government policy makers and administrators);

3. We will have a robust and user friendly data base component to the CMS that will make registration and membership to the organization and its activities easy and manageable for those signing up as well as for in-house staff that collate and use this data;

4. We will have a web site designed to encourage visits, find resources and participate;

5. We will have a web site easy that is inviting, appealing, atheistically pleasing, creating a sense of comfort and an ease of navigation;

6. We will have a web site that utilizes Google analytics to enable us to accurately measure the effectiveness of our web site. These metrics will be matched against our goals and strategies, allowing us to monthly reassess the placement of content and links;

7. We will have a web site designed to utilize web 2.0 tools to allow for communities and individuals to connect with and dialogue with the organization;

8. We will have a support person for any technical aspect related to the site;

9. We will have a site that is search engine friendly to increase online exposure of the organization and traffic to the site (search engine optimization (SEO) strategies);

10. We will have a person facilitating the drafting of our online communication strategy and the coordinating the first phase of determining and implementing the most appropriate communication tools for our diverse audiences;

11. We will have a person training in-house staff on the use of the CMS and the fostering and supporting of online dialogue with individuals and local Regional communities, Agencies, etc.

12. We will have a dynamic platform, rich in a variety of social media tools (web 2.0) that will exemplify and demonstrate the benefits of using technology to strengthen the local Regional non profit community;

13. We will, with this experience and knowledge, be able to facilitate other local agencies in adopting similar online strategies for serving their community;

14. We will have the best communication tool available to address the disconnection amongst marginalized and homeless (at risk of) residents and the organizations serving these families and individuals;

15. We will have a on line presence that allows the organization to offer a supportive online environment where constituents (Agencies, residents, consumers of services etc) a means to have questions answered, learn how to survive with less resources, build partnerships and collaborations, provide timely feedback from residents to different levels of government;

16. We will have a site that we can grow and adapt to the changing complexities of our community

17. We will create transparency, opening the doors and windows to the organization;

18. We will have the necessary online tools to address the complexities of rapid change in our communities and the ongoing uncertainty of working within a non profit sector (system) where short term funding practices foster a disconnect between organizations and practitioners;

19. We will have a site that can assist in generating new funding opportunities and sources;

20. We will have a site that we are proud of and that we have ownership of;

Do you have more benefits that can be used to explain to funders why you need their support to strengthen your Mission and operations through a web 2.0 web site? Please leave any of your thoughts or ideas.

Thanks to Alain at iAutomate for bouncing around ideas with me for this post.

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