January/February 2005

Nonprofits and the Internet: A Bittersweet Start to 2005

by Gene Austin, Chief Executive Officer, Convio

The start of 2005 has been bittersweet. The tsunami in Southeast Asia during the last week of 2004 represents the worst natural disaster the modern world has ever seen. But on the brighter side, nonprofit organizations worldwide have been responding quickly and effectively, thanks in large part to the Internet. 

In this issue of Convio Connection, two articles highlight nonprofits’ incorporation of the Internet into their relief efforts. In The Tsunami Relief Effort: Putting Online Marketing Best Practices into Action, Convio founder and chief strategy officer, Vinay Bhagat, observes that in addition to raising record amounts of money online in days, many nonprofits also are raising awareness about their missions and even transforming how they do business. The case study about Action Against Hunger takes a look at how the organization used Convio online tools to raise $408,000 in less than 14 days for tsunami relief efforts, and also how they acquired a new constituency for future marketing and fundraising efforts. 

Also in this edition, guest columnist Pam Fielding, president, e-advocates, outlines The KIP Principle, with five approaches that can help any organization turn the Internet into a powerhouse for its advocacy programs.

Be sure to take a look, too, at this edition’s Ask the Expert article — Convio’s chief technology officer, David Crooke, provides insight on what nonprofits need to know about email deliverability issues in 2005. And, don’t miss Leveraging Corporations Can Take Fundraising Events to a New Level, which explains how Convio TeamRaiser’s new company coordinator capabilities help nonprofits jump-start volunteer fundraising participation.
 
I trust this first issue of Convio Connection for 2005 will give you the inspiration you need to use the Internet to its full potential for your organization's mission today and throughout the new year.

P.S. Did you enjoy reading this issue of Convio Connection? Why not forward it to a colleague who might also find it helpful?