Software/Technology

Nonprofit board members are growing increasingly interested in how nonprofit executives are using technology to increase funds, retain donors, generate engagement and cultivate awareness. In fact, David Edelman, a digital marketing strategist, is noticing that boards in the for-profit sector are being asked for detailed digital strategies. Edelman identifies five concerns for business boards, which can be applied to the nonprofit sector as well …

Got data? It does a development department good! Learn how three organizations utilized donor data and new technology to enhance their fundraising.

Our innovation research suggested that some myth busting is in order. People often think of innovation as futuristic, cutting-edge technology, but we found that many nonprofits are innovating with straightforward technologies. For example, HOWA Family Center switched from e-mail to text messaging as a more effective way to communicate with teen mentors. We also found that innovation can be low-cost. Many nonprofits successfully use existing technology to innovate in subtle ways, implementing solutions that are often both low-cost and effective.

When it comes to new fundraising technologies and strategies, are you a Give Upper, a Gimmie Gimmie-er, an Embracer, A Catch-Upper or something else? Find out in my Editor's Note, "The Next Big Thing," from the March 2011 issue.

Ted Hart speaks with Blackbaud npEngage experts Dennis McCarthy, Frank Barry and The Humane Society of the United States' Carie Lewis.

Many nonprofit professionals already are overwhelmed by all of the free or low-cost resources they have at their fingertips — and as the mobile Web and related startups continue to grow, prepare to be mind-boggled by all the new technology options available to your nonprofit in coming years. Here’s a list of some of the resources you might find useful.

We were excited to see the news that Silicon Valley accelerator Y Combinator announced an investment in Watsi, a new social enterprise in which donors can fund medical treatments for people in need. Since launching, Watsi has enabled funding 70 treatments, based on $55,000 in donations from 1,300 donors. Founder Adam Chase says donations are currently growing 28 percent per week. Follow Watsi’s lead to get in on tech as a funding source.

President Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney are employing increasingly sophisticated tools to get more people to donate to their campaigns. From text donations to sending e-mails encouraging supporters to buy T-shirts to using online video games to attract supporters to displaying actual Facebook friends who have "liked" the campaign — the candidates are counting on the "cool" factor to lure new donors, particularly Gen Xers and Gen Yers, experts say.

Nonprofit organizations, recognizing that their donors are what fuels their missions, want to make t

In their presentation at Fund Raising Day in New York last month, four fundraising professionals provided 28 ideas for digital fundraising success. Here are ideas 1-10.