August 14, 2008
Why Don't Foundations Support Social Networking for Charities?
Nonprofit leaders are hungry for knowledge, writes Michael Idinopulos on the blog Socialtext. Conferences offer an opportunity for charity leaders to learn from each other, but they are costly and often impractical to attend.
So why aren’t there more opportunities for nonprofit executives to meet each other online?
Mr. Idinopulos says that charity employees could participate in discussions, share documents, describe case studies, identify experts, and create groups for others who work on similar issues.
He says: “Think of it as a standing online industry conference for nonprofit executives. And you don’t even have to get on a plane.”
Foundations are the “natural hosts” for such forums, says Mr. Idinopulos. They could start by creating networks for their grantees. Winning support from a foundation, then, would mean more than an infusion of cash. It would also include an invitation to become part of the foundation’s online club.
Mr. Idinopulos says: “The more wisely a foundation invests, the more powerful its proprietary network would become. I could even imagine a time when grant renewal decisions were determined by the quality of a fundee’s participation in the network, and when inclusion in a foundation’s proprietary network became more important to nonprofits than the accompanying financial support.”
What do you think of his idea?
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I am so thrilled to see these comments!
As a small regional foundation, we have brought grantees together for networking and continuing education in the past. Unfortunately, due to changes in our structure, the high cost of gas and the tightness of many nonprofit budgets, this is no longer feasible.
I have been pushing for an electronic replacement but was concerned about level of interest, comfort with technology, etc. This piece is encouraging, as I hope the survey we recently sent out to our partners will be.
— Suzy Aug 14, 05:20 PM #
The Kennedy Center has started an online community just like what’s mentioned above for those involved or interested in arts management. It’s at www.artsmanager.org and it’s free to join. It includes discussion boards, surveys, resources, and a blog by the Kennedy Center President, Michael Kaiser.
— Kirsten Aug 15, 12:31 PM #
We,too, as a smaller national foundation, have been bringing grantees toegether for workshops providing networking and learning opportunities.
Recently, through our technical assistance program, we have begun offering Peer Learning Teleconferences twice per month, each on a different topic. They have been very successful and the feedback has been positive. We will also be offering a training on grassroots fundraising that will be all via teleconference with group peer learning and training sessions, plus one on one coaching and assistance.
Suzy, I would strongly encourage you to try it out. We had the same concerns because our audience is largely rural, but it has worked out great.
What we haven’t added or tested yet is an online component.
— Chelsea Aug 15, 12:36 PM #
A great discussion is happening at the Social Actions community (www.socialactions.com). See also www.eldis.org for the international development community.
— BethP Aug 15, 01:01 PM #
While I think foundations could hosts such forums, they can also be hosted by businesses, universities, and even non profits. I’ve been building a hub connecting tutor/mentor programs since 1993. You can see this at http://www.tutormentorconnection.org.
We started using the internet to connect with others back in 1998.
I think we have a long way to go before a majority of non profit leaders are gathering in on-line forums. I feel a bigger challenge is getting all of the “right” people into the same discussions. I don’t see many places where non profits, donors, volunteers, parents, youth, educators are all in the same on-line community. Do you?
— Dan Bassill Aug 15, 02:05 PM #
I am a huge fan of this idea, but I think it would be better funded by foundations and housed in a nonprofit association or a MSO. I like the idea that nonprofit execs could ask difficult questions on this sort of network, which is less likely to happen in an environment where they may feel like they are competing against other grantees for resources.
I submitted an idea for a system like you suggest to the NetSquared Mashup Challenge (sadly, it didn’t win) but you can read about it here. This system was geared toward young nonprofit professionals, but the ideas could be repurposed to a more general community.
http://tinyurl.com/3ahmo3
I’d love to see someone get this kind of network rolling!
— Fran Loosen Aug 15, 07:40 PM #
Fantastic Post. We have to find ways to stick together for the greater good of what our actions can provide to the less fortunate. Together, we are stronger. My hat’s are off to all of you that are willing to join forces and share your ideas on a social network. Our Adopt a School Initiative is currently building such a network that is specific for youth services organizations, philanthropists, etc whose mission is to serve children through our school sytems. We anticipate our social network being ready by September 15, 2005. and we welcome all. The site’s name and address will be posted on www.adoptaschool.us God bless you all for the wonderful work you do to enhance the lives of children and those who are less fortunate.
— Bob WInstead Aug 16, 08:13 AM #
State associations of nonprofits, like Maryland Nonprofits and the Center for Nonprofit Advancement in DC are also well poised to create a social networking space for thier members and other interested folks to collaborate, exchange ideas, and support one another!
— Jocelyn Harmon Aug 16, 11:03 AM #
From the Council on Foundation’s website
http://fundfilm.org/for_grant/for_grant_fund.htm
“Challenge
There is little doubt that media—film, television, radio and the Internet—are the central communication tools of our time. An average American adult views nearly sixty films a year, listens to the radio sixty hours per month, spends roughly ten hours a week on the Web, and watches television more than four hours a day. Combined that comes to about four full months a year.
Yet despite the degree to which media shapes our daily lives, culture, politics and society, most foundations do not fund it. Why? After all, the business of disseminating ideas is essential to the philanthropic community, and every foundation has communication goals.
Foundations offer plenty of reasons. Some are based on widespread misconceptions. Others are real challenges that give rise to the limits and exclusions foundations place on media funding. Our goal is to dispel the myths, examine the obstacles, offer a few solutions, and share some successes.
Strategy
In the pages that follow, we present seven case studies. These stories are told from dual perspectives—that of the mediamaker and that of foundations which supported their projects. It was our intention to get inside the media-funding process. In Chapter 1, we also address the most common reasons foundations give for not funding media. These are roadblocks that have become entrenched over decades, but they can be overcome, if you know how.
Impact
Working together, producers, nonprofit organizations, presenters and funders are unleashing the power of media. They are realizing its potential as a tool for community mobilization and grassroots organizing. It is our belief that for every foundation there are media productions that can further its organizational goals. We hope this information helps grantmakers and grantseekers find those matches.”
— Jared B. Hughes Aug 18, 10:38 PM #