Seraphim Proudleduck

The Web Rewires the Movement
The net allows large mobilizations to unfold with minimal bureaucracy and hierarchy. "Forced consensus and labored manifestoes are fading into the background," Klein wrote in 2000, "replaced instead by a culture of constant, loosely structured, and sometimes compulsive information-swapping."

Towards e-engagement
Nonprofits and individuals engaging online (Powerpoint presentation)

The Second Superpower Rears its Beautiful Head
As the United States government becomes more belligerent in using its power in the world, many people are longing for a “second superpower” that can keep the US in check. Indeed, many people desire a superpower that speaks for the interests of planetary society, for long-term well-being, and that encourages broad participation in the democratic process. Where can the world find such a second superpower?...
There is an emerging second superpower, but it is not a nation. Instead, it is a new form of international player, constituted by the “will of the people” in a global social movement. The beautiful but deeply agitated face of this second superpower is the worldwide peace campaign, but the body of the movement is made up of millions of people concerned with a broad agenda that includes social development, environmentalism, health, and human rights...

Community Technology Centers as Catalysts for Community Change
This report presents the findings from our exploratory research into how community technology centers (CTCs) could function more effectively as public spaces and as forces for positive social change at the community level. In understanding the dynamics of their work at present, we hope to inform community technology researchers, practitioners, and funders as to the ways in which the movement can leverage its accomplishments of the past in order to serve communities more broadly as it looks toward the future.

Nonprofits, NTAPs and Information Technology: A survey of nonprofit organizations’ attitudes toward technology, nonprofit technology assistance providers (NTAPs), and their most recent technology projects.
January 2003
Sponsored by: the Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network

eTapestry - Advanced fundraising software that recognizes that your office is not really where you work.

Online Volunteer Recruitment
"Thanks to our new, interactive, user-friendly Website, Big Brothers Big Sisters has increased the number of volunteers and children served. Within four months, our new Website has generated over 300 new volunteer inquiries, information requests, donations and event registrations," said Deborah Ortiz, President/CEO.

Generosity vs. Altruism: Philanthropy and Charity in the United States and United Kingdom
There is currently worldwide interest in promoting the development of and practices that contribute to a thriving civil society. Models for these institu-tions and practices have drawn heavily from the experiences of the United States. insti-tutions As is apparent from the above analysis, policies and institutions are created— and are effective— within particular cultural contexts. Before assuming that similar policies or practices will meet with comparable success elsewhere, it is critical to assess the compatibility of relevant existing structures, norms, and beliefs in the two cultures. In effect, such assessment means that institutions and policies, if desired and appropriate, must be translated, rather than simply transferred, into forms that reflect local cultural values and practices. To neglect to do so is to invite the failure of major efforts built on the best hopes and intentions.

Your Fundraising Career and the No-Win Job
The symptoms and dilemmas of a no-win job can be the following:

- Fundraising may be a low priority.
- Support staff is nonexistent.
- The development officer is not in the information stream.
- The prospect base is weak or absent.
- There is imbalance between cash donations and budgeted income.
- Board members make promises but don't follow through. In fact, they won't raise funds.
- Records are in a mess or missing.
- Marketing is not congruent with mission.
- The board is micro-managing and will not adopt a policy role.
- The fundraising professional is expected to perform miracles -- and do it alone!

As Conflict Rises, So Do Gifts to Israel
Israel has always been a big beneficiary of the American Jewish community's financial support. Donations to projects and causes have routinely topped half a billion dollars a year, philanthropic leaders say. While the weak United States economy has cast a pall over much of the fund-raising world, the events in Israel have galvanized many American Jews to increase their levels of giving. But American Jews are also finding themselves in agonized debate over how Israel should confront its awesome conflicts. Their confusion and dismay have rippled across the philanthropic arena.

ebase® The Powerful and Affordable Database for NonProfits
- Do you need to organize volunteers and activists?
- Do you feel out of control managing information about your donors?
- Are you struggling to reach the right people with the right message?
- We know how you feel. We've been there. That's why we created ebase®!

Modern Concerns for Jewish Philanthropy - Philanthropy has long been a powerful force in the Jewish community – but the scope and direction of Jewish giving in the U.S. may be changing, according to a pre-eminent fundraising professional. In a candid and provocative speech at New York University this week, noted fundraiser Naomi Levine sounded warning notes on trends in Jewish philanthropy – warning notes that stem from demographic changes and turmoil in the Middle East.
In her lecture, Levine also addressed the changing role of women in philanthropy. Citing reports that women now own 57.3% of the nation’s wealth and are expected to receive as much as 70% of the generational wealth transfer due to longer average life spans, she concluded that women should play an increasingly important role in Jewish philanthropy. However, women do not give as much as men of comparable wealth. Possible explanations she cited include the relatively brief history of women controlling wealth, as well as the usual reason people don’t give – women are simply not asked as often as men.

INDEPENDENT SECTOR Releases Comprehensive Report on Giving and Volunteering in the United States (Executive Summary - 14 pages PDF)

Building Online Communities
The Internet exists to improve communication. Communities can grow anywhere communication occurs.

Your website needs a subscription strategy
By Gerry McGovern
Every website—intranet, extranet or public website—will benefit from a subscription strategy. Subscription allows you to regularly communicate with your target readers. It allows you to establish an ongoing relationship. It is a highly efficient and cost-effective way of making sure that your message is reaching its target.

Alliance for Nonprofit Management - FAQs
Board Development, Financial Management , Strategic Planning ,Fundraising , Risk Management , Credit Card Acceptance

13 tips for raising money online

Organizers' Database(ODB)
ODB was made available for public download in March 2002 to give grassroots organizations the ability to immediately start using a high-quality database product. It was created by Organizers' Collaborative (OC), a non-profit organization which pools funds and time donated by volunteers to give back free software and technical assistance resources to the social change community.