10 People Honored for Using Technology to Improve Social Good
One award winner created video games that teach social lessons and another built an app that lets people earn money for charity by walking, running, or biking.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Nonprofits Weigh Hiring From Within Versus Outside to Fill Innovation Posts
While some groups promote internal candidates to lead exploration of new ideas, others seek outsiders with fresh perspectives.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
A Nonprofit Places a Bet on Testing a Bevy of New Approaches
One Acre Fund, a charity that helps poor farmers in Africa, stays nimble by devoting 15 percent of its budget to research and innovation.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Innovation Officers Give Charities a Chance to Explore
Nonprofits are adding senior-ranking people to help spread good ideas nationwide and figure out how to use new research to improve services.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Cash Rewards Spur Poor Communities to Pay for Sanitation Projects
The East Meets West Foundation’s unorthodox approach has won a grant from the Gates foundation.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Update: Salesforce.com Retreats on Trademarking ‘Social Enterprise’
The company pointed to the outcry from nonprofits and socially minded businesses as the primary reason for its reversal.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
The Fight Over Trademarking the Term ‘Social Enterprise’
A nonprofit is asking supporters to oppose Salesforce.com’s efforts to trademark the “social enterprise” label.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Why Today’s Challenges Require Nonprofits to Be Nimble
Charities need to put greater emphasis on improvisation and resilience, argues Andrew Zolli, executive director of PopTech and co-author of a new book.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Harnessing the Internet to Provide Low-Cost Higher Education
University of the People, a group that provides online college classes, has won a $500,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to expand its work.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Evaluating Programs? Ask Clients What They Think
Charities lose out on valuable insight about programs because they’re reluctant to ask clients for feedback, argues a nonprofit consultant.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
‘Random Hacks of Kindness’ Uses Technology to Solve Problems
Two weekends a year, software developers lend charities their expertise.
By CODY SWITZER
Contributor
Competitions Seek Examples of Nonprofit Innovation
The Alliance for Global Good wants to spur new ways for high-performing organizations to finance their work; plus other competition deadlines.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Real Innovation in Social Change Lies in Reinvention
Organizations that work for the social good have made encouraging steps toward improvements in financing and demonstrating their worth, but they can do so much more, argues consultant Nell Edgington.
By Nell Edgington
Contributor
A Simple Map Can Help You Reach the Right Clients
Maps can help charities make sure they’re reaching the people who most need assistance, says a nonprofit technology expert.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
‘Open Source’ Ideas for Nonprofits
Principles that guide development of software might help charities better serve their clients.
By CODY SWITZER
Contributor
Matching Data Scientists and Nonprofits
New group seeks to give nonprofits help analyzing information that affects programs and operations.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor