The Online Guide for Nonprofits

When speaking at conferences or talking to nonprofit clients I almost always get asked for a list of websites to visit, blogs to follow, and books to read. So I've put together this list of resources to help nonprofits learn more about and keep up to date on technology trends and information.

WHERE TO START: These are some great organizations and websites to begin using from the start.

• NTEN — The Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN) is the largest organization bringing together professional from all across the nonprofit community. NTEN offers both individual and organizational membership programs that help support conferences, events, webinars, surveys, and other important resources. Sign up for the NTEN newsletter, attend some Office Hours, register for a webinar, attend an event, or join one of the Affinity Groups like the popular NTEN Discuss group.


• The Agitator — This is one of the best daily enewsletters out there that focuses on fundraising, direct marketing, and advocacy topics. Sign up, make it a part of your daily reading, and at some point consider paying for their premium content.


• TechSoup — They provides a range of technology services for nonprofits, including news and articles, discussion forums, and discounted and donated technology products. There are a lot of good RSS feeds, software offers, and other resources to be found on the website.


• The ProgressiveExchange — This online community lets you share information among people doing online organizing, advocacy, marketing, and fundraising.


• UK Fundraising — This website covers news, events, and not-for-profit trends in both the UK and Europe. Howard Lake has put together a wealth of information on this site.


• We Are Media — This website is an NTEN funded project that explains how nonprofit organizations can leverage social media and networks. Online guru Beth Kanter leads you through a series of lessons that are full of ideas and suggestions, including many that were submitted by other nonprofits.
  

BLOGS: There are a lot of nonprofit focused blogs out there. One place to start is the Nonprofit on Alltop list of the most popular weblogs. Here are some of the best nonprofit bloggers:

• Beth Kanter
• Don't Tell The Donor
• Mark Rovner
• Katya Andresen
• CBF Tech Blog
• Chad Norman
• Marc Pitman
• Michelle Murrain
• Allan Benamer
• Beaconfire Wire
• Norman Reiss
• Tom Watson
• David Zeidman
• Customizing NetCommunity
• Blackbaud Blogs 

PODCASTS: There are several podcasts that cover topics relevant to nonprofits. Most appear on iTunes and you can easily subscribe to them.

• The Baudcast — This is Blackbaud's bi-weekly podcast covering trends in the nonprofit technology world.
• 501c3Cast — This is an independent podcast covering a wide range of topics that has been around for a while now.
• The Nonprofit Jungle — This podcast is produced by Big Duck consulting and covers topics about nonprofit communications.
• The Idealist.org Podcast — This is Idealist.org's podcast and it provides information on a broad range of subjects.

BOOKS: There are countless books out there about the Internet. These are some of the best ones available to get you started and continue

• People to People Fundraising: Social Networking and Web 2.0 for Charities — This book covers everything from online giving to advocacy to friends asking friends campaigns. You can get a free copy of my chapter from the book here.
• CauseWired: Plugging In, Getting Involved, Changing the World — Tom Watson's book really helps you understand how Web 2.0 and social networks are transforming nonprofit organizations. You can read my review of the book here.
• Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing without Organizations — Clay Shirky's book on social media helps you understand why it is such a powerful tool for engaging people in new ways. This is the perfect book if you're still trying to make sense of social networks and user generated content.
• Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies — Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff have compiled a lot of research from the for-profit world about implementing a social media strategy. There are plenty of case studies, supporting data, and a companion website that keeps the conversation going.

PUBLICATIONS: Most of the major publications serving the nonprofit sector have online websites. If you don't already subscribe to the printed versions, then be sure to visit their websites on a regular basis. Many of these sites also provide RSS feeds and enewsletters that are worth adding to your list.

• The Chronicle of Philanthropy
• The NonProfit Times
• Fundraising Success
• Professional Fundraising
• The Chronicle of Higher Education

I'll continue to update and manage this list of resources. If you want to make a suggestion or recommendation, then feel free to email me.