News and buzz from people and organizations in the nonprofit tech sector. Read our posts on the NTEN blog.

Grantmaking 2.0

> The Nonprofit Commons on Second Life held its launch party on August 14th, complete with virtual dancing. Not surprisingly, Beth Kanter covered the event in yet another blog. When does she sleep?

> GEO (Grantmakers for Effective Organizations) references the MacArthur Foundation's exploration of virtual philanthropy, including SecondLife, in its new report, "Grantmaking 2.0: Using New Technology to Enhance Grantmaker Practices". We'd call the report excellent even if it didn't highlight NTEN's webinars as a great use of technology. But we do appreciate it.

> If your organization uses Salesforce.com and you have a technically inclined staff, consider contributing to the "Nonprofit Grantmaking Solution" wiki at the Apex Developer Network to help build the next great grantmaking tool.

Not Just a Geek...

> Jonathon Colman was Treehugger.com's EcoGeek of the Week on July 31st. We mention this not just because Jonathon gives NTEN's own Holly Ross a shout out in his interview -- or because "EcoGeek of the Week" is so fun to say -- but because he highlights many of the ways the Nature Conservancy uses technology to promote its causes. Be sure to check out the Carbon Calculator. Jonathon also did a session for NTEN at NTC 2007 that can only be described as "kick-ass".

Geek Squad for Nonprofits

> If you're in the Chicago area and find yourself in need of a web site or an online application, you might want to get in touch with the Chicago Technology Cooperative. Launched by Jim Craner in 2005, and now up to 6 full-time employees, the CTC promises to provide expert technical services to nonprofits for 20 to 50 per cent less than most computer consulting firms.

Money for Something

> There are a number of current grant competitions you may want to check out. First up -- because it's the biggest -- is the Knight News Challenge, which offers up to $5 million in grants for "big ideas". Anyone can apply, and they promise, "If we like your idea, we will give you money to make it happen." The deadline is October 15, 2007.

> The MacArthur Foundation/Hastac Digital Media and Learning Competition is offering $2 million in awards split between two categories: Innovation Awards, for pioneers exploring new digital learning models; and Knowledge-Networking awards, supporting creative and dedicated communicators. Serendipitously, the deadline for this one is also October 15.

> And, receiving its last mention in NTEN Connect (because the deadline for applying is August 31st) is the Antonio Pizzigati Prize for Software in the Public Interest. If you don't know about this one yet, you haven't been paying attention.

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