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

Award Season

> Convio announced their first annual Innovator Awards, featuring 15 nonprofits. The ASPCA was honored for its MySpace site. America's Second Harvest won best Online Fundraising Campaign.

> PR News has published the list of finalists for its awards. Winners will be announced December 4th.

> Next up: the 2008 NTC Video Contest. We'll begin accepting submissions on December 1st, 2007, the same day registration for the biggest nonprofit technology conference of the year opens.

End World Hunger

> When last we blogged about it, FreeRice had donated more than 1,000,000,000 grains of rice to the UN World Food Program. Just three weeks later, that total up to about 4,000,000,000. We're not sure what 4 billion grains of rice looks like, but we suspect it would fill our office. Do your part -- while building your vocabulary -- today.

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

The Doors are Opening, But the Chain Locks Stay On

> Kintera opened up first, but only just, by announcing that the Kintera Connect API was available to clients and partners. To help people make use of it, they have published the full API and scheduled a number of free webinars.

> A few days later, Convio launched their Convio Open initiative, including not only an API, but a set of Database Connectors and other Extensions, including a Facebook application. Convio Open also sports a prettier web site.

> At first blush, it seems that Kintera has the more powerful API, Convio the better package deal. Some pundits argue that neither company goes far enough in opening up, but these are steps in the right direction, and important ones. A year ago, NTEN hosted a discussion on Open APIs. How great is it that soon, we'll have to update our report? Who's next?

Help the World While You Make a Sandwich

> The SETI@home project launched in May, 1999, creating a virtual supercomputer by linking together a vast number of internet-connected PCs to aide in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Participants install a small app on their computers, so when the the system is not in use, its processor can be used to further the project.

> Now, the IBM Corporation has sponsored the creation of the World Community Grid. As with SETI, the WCG aggregates computer idle time into a massive public computing grid. Current projects include the creation of more accurate climate models in Africa, the search for more effective drugs to combat tropical diseases, and the mapping of select human proteins. Now you -- and your computer -- can feel good about your time even when you're off doing other things.

Monthly Giving Survey

> M+R Strategic Services is running a survey polling nonprofits about online monthly giving programs. If your organization solicits sustainer/recurring donations online, they'd like to hear from you. The survey is only a few pages long, and should take about 5 minutes to complete. Help them fill out their data set by taking the survey today.

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

Whither Web 2.0?

> A recent report by the Overbrook Foundation calls into question the adoption rate of web 2.0 technologies among its nonprofit grantees. Key among the findings is the frustration respondents experienced about which tools to use and where to turn for help.

> On the flip side, a report by GEO finds that grantmakers are finding innovative ways to use web 2.0 to connect to grantees and others. One wonders where the communication gap might be, but if the money is there, you have to think that grantees will move toward collaborative technologies in increasing numbers.

Girl Geeks Don't Just Wanna Have Fun, But It Helps

> She's Geeky, an (un)conference, aims to provide a friendly environment for women who not only work in technology, but want to encourage others to get involved. The event will take place in Mountain View, CA, October 22-23. Beacuse it's an (un)conference, attendees are encouraged to propose topics.

Money, So They Say

> Pink Floyd were wrong: sometimes, they do give it away. The Knight News Challege is offering up to $5 million in grants for "big ideas", while the MacArthur Foundation/Hastac Digital Media and Learning Competition is offering $2 million in awards. Both of these have deadlines of October 15th.

> Keep up with all the latest nonprofit technology grant news with the aptly named Technology Grant News. NTEN members are eligible for a subscription discount, so why not join today?

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.

NTEN Board member Lauren-Glenn Davitian was just honored by the Alliance for Community Media with the George Stoney Award for Humanistic Communication. And, she has a great write-up in the Vermont Weekly, Seven Days.

If you don't know Lauren-Glenn, you should! She's wrestling with some of the biggest issues central to how and why we do our work - who has access to and how are we able to use media, including the Internet. My favorite quote from the piece:

Davitian says that while the Internet has enormous potential as a democratizing agent, there remains a huge digital divide, mostly along economic lines. “Time magazine can say, ‘You are the person of the year,’” she explains. “But the reality is, the ownership structure is still in the hands of the few.”

 

News and buzz from people and organizations in the nonprofit tech sector.

And the Prize Goes to...

Beth Kanter! Beth is the winner of the very first NTEN award, given for fantasticness in the nonprofit technology community. Congratulations Beth, and thanks for all that you do! You can read what one of Beth’s colleagues has to say about her and watch two video interviews to find out what inspires her.

Journal of Information Technology In Social Change Available

The first issue of this peer reviewed journal has been released and is full of great articles on ICT in the global south, lessons learned reporting in humanitarian work, the challenge of data integration, and more. You can order a copy here.

Take the Stockholm Challenge

If you’re involved in a project that uses technology in innovative ways to advance human development and bring about social change, apply for the 2008 Stockholm Challenge Award.

New Version of Ubuntu System

Congratulations to our colleagues at Canonical who have just released Ubuntu 7.0.4, a new version of the free Linux operating system. Rumor has it Michael Dell (yes, from Dell) is even testing it out.

Votes Are In for NetSquared's Featured Projects

The competition was tough, but NetSquared selected 21 outstanding nonprofit technology projects to honor and help bring to the next level. Go on over and see the amazing work your colleagues are doing. There has been some controversy about the voting and there is a lively discussion about it over at the Netsquared blog and in the NPTech Pipe.

Know of something happening the community that we missed? Post it in the comments.

We're gearing up for the Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) in Washington, DC this week - where more than 1000 nonprofit technology professionals will be gathering for 3 days of sessions and networking.

But we also want to remind everyone of the the extra curricular activities available over the 3-day conference so that you can be prepared to take full advantage of the many opportunities for connecting, site-seeing, and good ol' fun.

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

VOTE FOR THE BEST NONPROFIT VIDEO
We've selected the finalist videos in the NTC Video Contest, and now it's time or you to pick the winner! Go to DoGooderTV to watch the finalist videos and vote for your favorite online or via text message.

DIGG YOUR FAVORITE NPTECH ARTICLES
Digg your favorite nonprofit tech articles and watch them move to the homepage of the nonprofit dig site, Kikono.

NEW RESOURCE FOR FUNDRAISING INFORMATION
The Integrator is a new blog on fundraising with posts written by and for those in the nonprofit community.

GET HONOR AND PRESTIGE
Nominate a technology project you admire to receive a Tech Museum Award. The submission deadline is March 26.

SALSA THE DAY AWAY
NTEN Member Democracy in Action has released its new user interface - Salsa.

 

Know of something happening in the nonprofit technology community that's not on this list? Tell us about it in comments.

News and buzz from people and organizations in the nonprofit tech sector.   

How the Convio/GetActive Merger Will Affect You

Last week we hosted a live discussion with representatives from Convio and GetActive to find out what their merger means for the people and nonprofits who use their software. You can listen to the recording of the discussion and read what listeners had to say about it.

OneWorld's People of the Year 

NTEN member OneWorld has declared Dr. Rashad Zidan and the women of Iraq the People of the Year for their efforts to hold families together during the time of war. Want to know more about the situation for women in Iraq? Ask Dr. Rashad Zidan a question.

Tech Savvy Communications

NPower Seattle has released an excellent toolkit designed to help nonprofits communicate effectively - both in message and in medium. The toolkit is available for free download on their website.

Trickle Down Technology

NTEN member Paul Lamb talks about how we can bring access to tech tools to the masses in his article Us, Not You, for Person of the Year.

News and buzz from people and organizations in the nonprofit tech sector.

MobileActive Makes the "Smartest Org" List

MobileActive was named one of the 59 smartest orgs on the web by Squidoo, GetActive (now Convio), and Netsquared. Visit their website to find out why and see who else made the cut.

The Changing Face of Nonprofit Software

Last week brought about some major shakeups in nonprofit software with Convio buying GetActive and Blackbaud buying Target Software. You can read what the bloggers are saying about this here and here.

In Memorian: Claire Obare

With great sadness we mourn the death of NTEN member Claire Obare, an e-rider for Engender Health in Kenya. Many of you knew Claire from past Nonprofit Technology Conferences. Claire, you will be missed.

NTEN Video Contest

We're looking for creative minds to produce videos, animations, and mash-ups that inspire and ignite social change. We'll show winning entries at the Nonprofit Technology Conference and give away the grand prize!