Bits: Organizers’ Collaborative Preps Grassroots Use of Technology Conference
The Center for Public Policy and Administration at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst is holding a conference on May 31 about information technology for nonprofit organizations. Participants can choose one of two workshops: “Technology Planning and Database Fundamentals” or “eAdvocacy and…
By Leah Kerkman
Contributor
Internet Address Fetches $200,000 Donation
The Boston Foundation received an unlikely gift from Tom Bird, a Boston-area entrepreneur: the domain name farm.com. The gift ended up bringing in $200,000 for the foundation when it sold the name to Pets United, an online pet-supplies company. Roger Collins, president of Afternic.com, which…
By Leah Kerkman
Contributor
Web Site for Volunteers Focuses on Disaster Aid
Learning from the difficulties of coordinating the activities of volunteers following Hurricane Katrina, the Points of Light Foundation, in Washington, announced plans for a new Web site to match volunteers with appropriate tasks following national disasters. The site, which will become available…
By Leah Kerkman
Contributor
Bits: Benton Foundation Names Gloria Tristani President
The Benton Foundation, in Washington, has appointed Gloria Tristani, a former Federal Communications Commissioner, as president. The Benton Foundation works to promote communications policies that serve the public interest. For more information: Go to http://www.benton.org. Cisco Systems, in San…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Contest Will Honor Ads for Relief and Development
The Center for International Disaster Information is sponsoring a contest, “Lights, Camera, Action,” that challenges college students to create television advertisements to rally support for international development and disaster relief. Chris Palmer, an environmental-film producer, is leading a…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Low-Cost Web Tools Are Focus of May Meeting
The forthcoming NetSquared Conference will focus on how charities are using — or could be using — a new generation of low-cost Web tools, often referred to as Web 2.0 technologies. Organized by CompuMentor, a technology organization in San Francisco, the meeting is scheduled to take place May 30-31…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Kintera Earnings Report Shows Losses for 2005
While total revenue increased in 2005 for Kintera, the online fund-raising company, so too did its losses, according to the company’s year-end earnings statement. Kintera’s total revenue for the year was $40.9-million, an increase of 73 percent over the company’s $23.7-million in total revenue for…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Fund-Raising Book Explores Role for E-Mail
A new book discusses the critical role of e-mail in online fund raising. Written by Madeline Stanionis, president of Donordigital, a consulting company in San Francisco, the book discusses techniques charities can use to build their lists of e-mail addresses. It also covers how to craft effective…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
AOL Offers Charities New Delivery Options
America Online has announced two new delivery options for nonprofit organizations to ensure that their e-mail messages reach supporters. The new program was announced three days after a coalition of nonprofit groups, political organizations, labor unions, and small businesses started an online…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Microsoft Donation Aids Overseas Relief Groups
The need for better coordination among relief charities is a constant refrain during times of crisis. The Microsoft Corporation thinks technology could play an important part in solving the problem, and has made a large gift to help international aid and development organizations improve their…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Coalition Opposes AOL’s Plan on Bulk Mailings
This article was updated from the version that appeared in the print issue of The Chronicle to incorporate news that occurred after the newspaper’s press deadline. A coalition of more than 50 nonprofit organizations, political groups, labor unions, and small businesses have banded together to fight…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Applications Sought for Hewlett-Packard Grants
Hewlett-Packard is accepting applications for its Technology for Community grant program. The Palo Alto, Calif., company will be awarding wireless-technology packages valued at $17,000 to up to 100 nonprofit organizations in the United States and Puerto Rico. Each package includes six laptop…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Online Communications Tracked in New Study
More than a quarter of the names on nonprofit e-mail lists drop off each year because supporters unsubscribe from the lists or change their e-mail addresses without alerting the organizations, according to a new report. The “eNonprofit Benchmarks Study” is based on detailed analysis of online…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Bits: Blackbaud Acquires Campagne Associates
Blackbaud, a company in Charleston, S.C., that makes fund-raising and accounting software for nonprofit organizations, has acquired Campagne Associates, a fund-raising software company in Manchester, N.H., in a $6-million cash deal. Blackbaud says it will continue to provide support for Campagne’s…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
New Book Explores Role of Internet in Social Change
A new book by a former foundation official discusses how nonprofit organizations can use information technology to foster social change, and the obstacles that still stand in the way. In the book, The Dynamics of Technology for Social Change, Jonathan Peizer draws on his experience overseeing the…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Study Seeks to Measure Value of Technology Help
A new study is under way to look at what types of training and other assistance make a difference in helping nonprofit groups make good use of technology. The three-year project will be led by NPower, a national network of 12 nonprofit technology-support organizations, and the Nonprofit Technology…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor