Flickr: °FlorianFrom mapping election violence in Kenya to coordinating disaster response efforts to helping people decide where to live, nonprofits have increasingly used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support their work.

We'll discuss ways your organization can use GIS, from local fundraising research to disaster relief, at our upcoming webinar, "The Future of the Map" – with live demonstrations of ArcView, Crowdmap, GeoCommons, and Google Fusion Tables.

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By Larry Orman, Executive Director, GreenInfo Network

Data and storytelling are, to quote the great American sage, Forrest Gump, “like peas in a pod”. Data is vital for powerful analysis, but at the end of the day, we're swimming in it. For us to be moved by it, we need to have data turned into narrative sense. An earlier article posted to the NTEN blog did a great job covering data visualization generally, but what about data and places? More specifically, what about mapped data?

Here are four characteristics of successful mapping projects, whether the products are fixed images or interactive applications.

There's nothing like a little peer pressure when you need someone to do something. Combine it with instant gratification and total transparency and you have the fundraising triumvirate!

Google Checkout has a great little campaign going on in honor of Earth Day that gives you all three:

• You make a donation to an enviro org on someone's behalf.
• That certain someone gets an email and asks them to do the same.
• As the donations tally up, you get a personalized map showing all the people you inspired to donate, illustrating your network effect.

So, who wants to see if their friends are more generous then my friends?

As we announced last week, Google Earth has launched a new nonprofit outreach initiative. Google Earth Outreach was announced on June 26 at an event in New York City, and now you can view video of that event on the Google blog.

I've actually watched the whole video now and have to say that I'm really impressed. I'm impressed because it's not just a product launch, it's an inspiration. They did a great job of highlighting organizations that have been using Google Earth already - a great way to spark your imagination!

It was also inspiring because the nonprofits highlighted at the event are doing amazing work, and the mapping technology really brings it to life. In our line of work, it's easy to feel disconnected from mission. But these are all very clear examples of technology helping to make social change. You'll get to hear from Jane Goodall and the Jane Goodall Foundation, the UN Foundation, and Earthwatch. These and other examples are also available on the Google Earth Outreach site.

The new Google Earth Initiative for Nonprofits will be launched next week in NYC. As I mentioned in a previous post, there have been many amazing applications of Google Earth by and for nonprofits and their causes recently. If you're looking for some inspiration about how to use Google Earth for good (or you just need an eye-opening way to spend an hour today), you should check out the Google Earth Gallery, where you can find maps of the world's oil consumption, Somalia refugee migration, or the destruction of villages in Darfur. (You'll need to download Google Earth to appreciate these examples in all their glory.)

No word yet on what the new program will entail, but Google does tend to do things in style, so I'm certainly looking forward to finding out. Here are the details of the event:

Speakers include:

• Jane Goodall, Founder, the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace
• Kathy Bushkin Calvin, Executive Vice President, United Nations Foundation
• Edward Wilson, President and CEO, Earthwatch Institute
• Elliot Schrage, Vice President, Global Communications and Public Affairs, Google
• John Hanke, Director, Google Earth and Maps

Lucky for us, Google WILL be posting a full video of the event online after it happens, so check back for a link.

I'm directionally challenged, which is to say that I get lost. A lot. Nearly every time I drive somewhere. Or walk. At any rate, I have found Google Earth to be the best defense against getting lost. Being able to fly virtually from point A to point B has really helped me understand how things are laid out here in my new home of Portland, OR. I get lost a little less now. Which is awesome.

As it turns out, lots of nonprofits are actually using Google Earth to give whole communities direction -- on how to make their world a better place. (Nice segue, don't you think?) Check out this article on CNET.

When you're done reading the article, register for our upcoming webinar on this very subject: Picture This: Using Data to Map Your Impact.

Ali Levine, NTEN Special Projects Fellow

Storytelling is one of the oldest and most powerful communications strategies, but many nonprofits become so focused on providing facts, figures, and statistics that our communications and marketing becomes dry and tedious. We forget that what we really need to do to get people excited about our cause is to start with a compelling story. One session (materials here) at the NTC focused on the art of storytelling and how to do it well. Although many of the same rules apply, not all storytelling techniques are in a text-driven, once-upon-a-time format.

For example, there is something about maps that makes sense to the human brain. A good map has the power to get across a huge amount of information in just a few seconds, quickly and effortlessly giving a sense of scope and context. Interactive maps create a visual story and give an easily accessible starting place from which users can explore at their own pace based on their own interests. Many nonprofits have caught on and are telling their stories with online mapping tools like Google Earth.