Steve MacLaughlin, Director of Internet Solutions, Blackbaud

Have you been following the Net Neutrality debate? You should. It might dramatically impact your nonprofit.

There's little doubt that most of us who use the Internet every day have at least heard about Net Neutrality. When pressed for details, though, many in the nonprofit community can't offer much of a definition.

Worse, most have no idea that it stands to severely restrict the way they communicate and serve their constituents.

In short, there are corporate entities trying to control what gets sent over the Internet, and the Internet as we know and love it today might be lost. Imagine trying to conduct an online fundraising campaign using Internet access from an Internet service provider (ISP) that doesn't agree with your mission or message. Right now they can legally restrict or slow your Internet connection. Think it can't happen? It already has. 

It all started in 2008, when Comcast deliberately slowed Internet traffic for BitTorrent, a file-sharing site, and the Federal Communications Commission told the ISP it can't do that. This past spring, a federal judge ruled the FCC did not have the authority to do that, effectively allowing ISPs to slow traffic to or from any site, without recourse.  

This is scary. Really scary. Think about the implications.

Many nonprofits have missions aligned with certain political agendas -- like family planning organizations and religious nonprofits. Whether we agree with their messages or not, they have a constitutionally-guaranteed right to express those agendas, and nearly all do it while providing valuable services to their constituents. Because of this recent federal court ruling, ISPs can push all that aside and discriminate against them, in the form of 'throttling' their Internet service. Fundraising campaigns, communications with constituents, and the overall management of the nonprofit organizations could be throttled as well. 

There is also some talk that this could turn the Internet into something of a 'caste system', in which certain users would have to pay more if they want to continue using streaming video or streaming audio. Audio and video have proven to be highly effective media for nonprofits -- and throttling would impact all orgs -- no matter where they fall on the spectrum. This is of particular concern for nonprofits, as so many of them leverage powerful but cost-effective videos or podcasts to bring their messages to supporters. 

As a result of the ramifications of this court ruling, the FCC is currently undertaking an effort to classify the Internet as a telecommunications service, similar to phone service, in order to have it fall under its authority. If it is successful -- and there's some concern as to whether it will succeed -- the FCC could then legally compel ISPs to provide all users with the same level of Internet service, preventing them from discriminating in the form of slowing their Internet service. 

Most industry observers expect a long and protracted legal battle ahead. The large ISPs and cable companies are vehemently opposed to legislation that guarantees an open and neutral Internet. Their lobbyists have already gotten into the ears of many lawmakers, who have come out in opposition to the FCC's plans. It's quickly becoming a hot political issue in Washington, divided right down party lines. 

So what can you do?

Become educated on the issue. Make your voice heard and get involved with the national debate. Urge your local congressional representatives to support the FCC's effort to gain the authority to regulate the Internet and to back legislation that prohibits discrimination by ISPs.

You might consider joining the thousands of other nonprofits who are part of the Save The Internet Coalition, an online (of course!) movement to get the word out about this issue and provide an accurate perspective as to what this means for our industry. The Coalition can be found at www.savetheinternet.com. The site includes a letter template that enables visitors to send correspondence to the FCC and Congress. 

This is truly a watershed moment for our sector. We need to do what we do best: getting behind an organization or an issue and supporting it to the best of its abilities. It’s everyone’s Internet. Let’s keep it that way.

Steve MacLaughlin is Blackbaud’s director of Internet solutions and an NTEN board member. His blog Connections is the bees knees and he is the co-editor of the new book Internet Management for Nonprofits: Strategies, Tools, and Trade Secrets.