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.

All on its own, your data can tell you amazing things about your work. You can learn where you're providing services, what people think of them, and how that's changing over time. It's great stuff – but it's not enough. 

Your data isn't meant to be consumed all by itself. Like any main course, it needs sides. 

Your work happens in a variety of contexts – the work of other organizations, the economy, and your local government, to name a few. When you can see your data in those contexts, you can learn a heck of a lot more than you can by looking at your data in a vacuum. Take, for example, housing data.

It's Wednesday, which means you're probably thinking about how you'll spend your weekend. If you're interested in a nature walk, Jonathon Colman of The Nature Conservancy has a treat for you. Check out their new map, which lets you find areas they've protected that you can visit. A nice little Google Maps integration!

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.

A picture is worth a thousand words, but, if you use it right, it might also be worth the life you change or the next donation you receive. The nonprofit sector is steeped in data, but rattling of statistics doesn't articulate the need for or impact of your work. For that, you need a picture.

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) data mapping is one of the best ways to add impact to your information. Resources include DataPlace, which offers a free set of online GIS tools tied to reliable data sources like the U.S. Census Bureau. In NTEN's upcoming webinar, we will show how nonprofit organizations use GIS mapping to make their case to funders and other stakeholders. Case studies include:

• Food banks needing to demonstrate to funders that they are offering services in the right areas.
• Advocacy organizations using elections data to strategize for the next campaign.
• Local community development corporations wanting to determine whether the funding and services they provide to smaller organizations are reaching the areas where their target population lives.

Data takes on meaning only when you use it effectively. Join us on Tuesday, June 19th and add another tool to your kit.

Presented by Troy Anderson, DataPlace

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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.