Geographic Information Systems are powerful tools nonprofits can use to achieve their missions. Mapping data can help nonprofits monitor protests and election violence, decide where to buy repossessed homes to convert into affordable housing, determine how and where to deliver supplies and aid in disaster-stricken areas – and document zombie invasions.

Beyond just mapping existing data, some GIS systems are working to incorporate ways for mobile smart phone and cell phone users to collect data and update maps.

Our webinar “The Future of the Map,” explored four different GIS tools, complete with live demonstrations of Google Fusion Tables, ARCView, Ushahidi Crowdmap, and Geocommons.

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.

> Learn more and register today!

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.

undefined: Flickr: Cambodia4kidsorgThe term "geospacial information system" may cause many of us to zone out and assume "the following information will not be applicable to me because I'm not an engineer or cartographer or astronaut or whatever that term applies to." But what if I used the term "legislative district" or "elected official lookup" -- you'd pay attention, right?

Of course! That's because you already know advocacy work involves matching your grassroots members and volunteers up with the elected officials they can influence. But what if I told you that GIS and software that makes use of GIS is the technology that will make your "matching" work so much easier--for both you and your constituents? You're listening, now, right?

Well, thanks to Azavea and TechSoup Global (both NTEN members), this GIS analysis technology is going to be more accessible and affordable for your nonprofit.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are cool. I mean, just look at this new application in Google Earth that tracks flights in near real-time. Nonprofits have been getting in on the action, too, from the Ushahidi project in Kenya to Movesmart.org's neighborhood search system in Chicago.

The potential of GIS to help us tell our stories is enormous. Problem is, the really powerful systems have long carried a price out of the reach of most nonprofits. ESRI, the makers of ArcView, have recently lauched a new program to address the cost issue by offering their solutions to nonprofits at a steep discount -- and they'd like to tell you about it at our upcoming Product Spotlight Webinar, "GIS for Nonprofits!" (Don't worry: most of the content will be about GIS and demonstrations of what the software can do. Plus, it's free!)

You can register for this FREE webinar right here.

Now if only somebody would write software to help me paint my house. At least it will look good next time the satellite takes a picture.

Dairy Herd Size Concentrations in the Central Valley, CaliforniaThis map shows the number of dairy cows in California doubling over time. It helps tell the story that the increase in the amount and concentration of animals and their waste is contributing to air and water pollution.

Finding hidden patterns in complicated decision-making scenarios; analyzing and visualizing large amounts quantitative data; understanding your community and constituency; presenting the results of your research and experience to busy audiences who are difficult to engage with: Geographic Information System (GIS) software has the potential to help with all of these crucial and difficult activities.

If you feel overwhelmed when making complex, data-driven decisions or if you have trouble communicating your hard-won insights to key policy-makers, funders, and constituents, join TechSoup Global on Feb 24th to discuss what GIS is and how it can help nonprofits.

> Register for the Webinar!

It had been awhile since I'd played with Google Earth, but Jim Prosser at Direct Relief International gave me a good reason this morning: DRI has used GE to map the official health clinics and hospitals in Myanmar.

When you first access their KML overlay, it looks like Myanmar is stuffed with health clinics, but zoom in a bit, particularly on the hard-hit Irrawaddy Delta region, and you'll get some small idea of the miles and miles an injured person might have to traverse to find adequate medical attention.

Direct Relief International's COO, Annie Maxwell, has written about the project on the Google Earth blog. For more on the aftermath of the cyclone, check out Beth Kanter's list of ways you can help -- even if it's just by writing a blog post.