Not-for-profit organisations can benefit from smarter use of the internet.

29 March, 2010

Fraser Carson

Last week I attended a workshop day for not-for-profit practitioners, organised by the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ). The attendees were mainly people working as employees or volunteers for the not-for-profit sector and charities.

My role was to present a workshop on how the not-for-profit sector could gain from adopting social media techniques. I also introduced them to a programme Issues.co.nz is developing for charities, which will provide them with a free website within Issues.co.nz to present their profile

and pitch for support and donations.

The charitable sector is facing enormous challenges. For years there has been increasing demand on their services while, at the same time, the resources available from central government and the community are shrinking. This can only become more pressing as the government reduce support for beneficiaries and those at the fringes of our communities.

However, it is clear there are far too many charities in New Zealand and many compete with each other, presenting virtually identical services, whilst competing for the same resources. Clearly rationalisations among the charities, and restructuring within them, are needed. So are more professional ways of doing things. Which is where the Issues.co.nz initiative is playing a role.

Charities and all not-for-profit fundraisers will benefit from smarter use of the internet if they can learn to use the tools. The internet is the infrastructure tool of the coming age and is already benefiting all sectors, as it will for charities.

The problems will not be solved over night, but it’s time for all charities to begin the transition. We expect that we will play a role, so watch this space.

 

If you'd like to attend a workshop for not-for-profit organisations, on how to begin using Social Media and develop your online pitch for profit, click here.