Author Archives: nhr2000

Top 10 Resources if You’re New to Nonprofits

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If you’re new to nonprofit communicatons, fundraising or technology , here are 10 top resources you should know about:

  1. Nonprofit Technology Network (NTen) - As a long term member, I’ve learned through webinars, local 501 tech meetings, attending the annual conference and participating in a wonderful , supportive community
  2. Idealware - Wondering what software is best for your needs?  Laura Quinn’s Idealware offers impartial reports and low priced webinars to help you decide.
  3. Beth’s Blog –  Beth Kanter taught us how important social media was before it became mainstream.  Her insights are always insightful.
  4. Nonprofit Tech 2.0: A Social Media Guide for Nonprofits - Heather Mansfield offers great information in her blog, and in free/low cost webinars.
  5. Foundation Center – Databases, training, libraries focused on philanthropy.  Worth a visit if you’re in NYC (4 other offices across US)
  6. Getting Attention - Marketing guru Nancy Schwartz can help your organization develop a powerful message to your constituents
  7. John Haydon - Especially focused on Facebook, John will help optimize your social media strategy.
  8. Nonprofit Marketing Guide - Kivi Leroux Miller is a savior when you’re the only marketing / communications person at your organization;  great blog and resources.
  9. Tech Soup – Discounted software and hardware (and much more)
  10. Network for Good - Reasonably priced options for email marketing and online fundraising, and regularly scheduled training

For those nonprofit veterans, what additional resources would you add?

How Reliable Is Your Data?

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When you report on your nonprofit data, do you feel confident that it is accurate?  Some quick tips:

  1. Where is your data entered?  Although you may have a central database, staff may also enter information in personal spreadsheets, databases or even handwritten notes.  You probably won’t find out unless you take the time to ask pointed questions and observe the data entry process.
  2. What type of data validation is available?  Especially if much of your data is stored in spreadsheets, there may not be any data validation in place, or it may be easy to inadvertenly change a formula without realizing there is a mistake.
  3. Do you provide ongoing training and support on your system?  Doing a few introductory sessions when a new database is rolled out isn’t sufficient.  You may find that the system that was provided a short while back no longer meets your users’ needs.
  4. Do you provide mostly drop down list of choices for your questions, or do you include many open ended or ‘notes’ fields?  Placing too much information in ‘notes’ will be a nightmare when you’re ready to run reports to analyze whether your program has met its objectives.
  5. Do you have a way to set security levels for different users – and do you promptly remove accounts for staff who have departed?  Many nonprofits don’t.

At my organization, as part of our Technology department, I work jointly with colleagues from the Research group since we share a desire to report on good data.  We regularly visit our sites to review data entry practices and recommend ways to improve data integrity.  We also explain why it is often preferable to enter data into shared databases instead of multiple spreadsheets. (Here’s a brief presentation that compares both tools.  Also see Robert Weiner’s blog post, Reigning in Shadow Databases and Laura Quinn’s insightful article, In Search of Better Data About Nonprofits’ Programs.)

Can you reply on your nonprofit’s data?

Update – Helping Our Seniors to Go Online

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While working on my initiative to introduce seniors to the joys of technology and the Internet, I have met many others who share my belief that age should not be a barrier to anyone using computers as a way to stay connected to friends and family, and to make new acquaintances.

In my most recent update, I discussed David Wilcox’s insightful summary of his work for the Nominet Trust which described how to most effectively meet the needs of seniors when teaching technology, whether on a desktop, laptop, tablet computer or smart phone.  David’s latest post further describes many new resources in training seniors and suggests ways we can collaborate.  We have also had preliminary discussions on arranging an online event where we can learn from others who are already helping seniors to connect to others through technology.  (More details to come.)

On Sun, May 12, I will begin a new training initiative at a JASA senior center in Brooklyn, NY – thanks to program director Anna Bella for working with me to set this up.  (Appropriately, this is Mothers’ Day in the US, a day for connecting with our families.)  As David and I discussed via Skype earlier this week, my challenge will be to find a way to offer seniors a way to get ongoing support when they need it – a few brief classes won’t be enough to keep them engaged.

For the past few weeks, I’ve also attended a weekly Facebook Fridays session at Senior Planet, the amazing Manhattan facility that was created specifically to help seniors learn technology.  It has been rewarding to answer questions for attendees, but frustrating to realize how challenging it must be to learn an online platform that changes so rapidly.

I’m also continuing to help the Rabbi from my synagogue.  Last week I helped setup a new computer for him and his wife; now I need to do some more teaching and advise on how they can arrange for a faster Internet connection.

Another great resource I’ve learned about recently is the Veneration Project, founded by Adina Saperstein, which seeks to help older adults and their families age gracefully.

Although I’ve completed my class at Landmark Education which encouraged me to take on this project, my work has just begun.  While leading a panel at last month’s Nonprofit Technology Conference, I was pleased to meet Rick Morgan, who shares my enthusiasm for helping seniors;  we’re currently chatting about ways we can work together.  If you would like to join us in making a better life for seniors, please let me know.

Thoughts About the Boston Marathon Tragedy

It has been a week that we will never forget.  First, the senseless tragedy at the Boston Marathon that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries to so many who were simply enjoying a holiday event.  Then, the uncertainty of how long it might take to discover who was responsible – and the realization that like some other terrorist attacks, we might never know the full story.  Finally, the hunt intensifying Friday in Watertown with the total shutdown of Boston but culminating with the capture of the remaining suspect.

Personally, this was very significant for me.  I’ve traveled to Boston many times and am especially fond of the Back Bay area where the explosions were set off.  I will be visiting there again in early June for work.  One of my earliest girl friends, Pamela, briefly lived in Watertown when I first go to know her.  Even though it’s been a while since I’ve been there, watching Watertown as the focus of a crime investigation hit very close to home.

It is very gratifying that the remaining suspect has been captured so quickly, thanks to the hard work of the Massachusettes police.  It’s hard to imagine how difficult it must have been for Watertown residents to wait in their homes while yesterday’s events unfolded, not knowing how long they would have to live in fear.

For nonprofits, the best response I saw this week was Nancy Schwartz’s post, How to Communicate in the Midst of Tragedy.  Having long been a proponent of editorial calendars and since I usually schedule many of my social media posts in advance, this was a clear reminder that sometimes we have to prepared to shift gears in our communications to our constituents.

Now, as more details come out about the Tsarnaev brothers, it is very important that we don’t use this as an opportunity to rationalize hate for any group or religion, as mentioned by the Tanenbaum Center, an organization which seeks to promote mutual respect of all religious beliefs.  Teaching Tolerance is also a great resource for educating our children.  We may never understand the motivation behind this crime – as if there would be any reason to want to kill an eight-year-old or to use nails in an explosive device to maximize injuries.  But we must somehow learn to live with each other peacefully.

It is also very sad that legislation to tighten gun control stalled this week, months after so many children lost their lives in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.  No, this wouldn’t have prevented the latest horror that unfolded in Boston using ‘home made’ explosives, but surely making it more difficult to obtain guns would help to reduce senseless violence.

To everyone in the Boston area who is recovering from injuries sustained in this week’s tragedy, and to those who are mourning losses of family members and friends, wishing you comfort and peace.

Report from Nonprofit Technology Conference

This week I had the pleasure of attending the annual Nonprofit Technology Conference, this year held in Minneapolis, MN.  I moderated a session on Why Organization Structure Matters for Online Success.  (Ryan’s presentation is here.) Thanks to my panelists: Rusty Burwell, American Lung Association; Ryan Davis, Blue State Digital; Ted Fickes, Bright+3, and Mark Pothier, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.)  Some takeaways from our discussion with each other and attendees:

  • No matter what your role is in at your organization, you can be a leader by acting how you would like others to behave.
  • Look for ways to build collaboration and partnership between departments through regular interaction, not just during special projects.   For example, try a ’lunch and learn’ where one department explains its work to others who may not be familiar with it.  If possible, arrange to seat near those in other groups and go to to lunch with co-workers beyond your deparatment
  • Make sure management understands what you are doing;  provide dashboards or other regular reports to clearly demonstrate impact of the digital/online team
  • There isn’t any ideal ‘structure’ that works for online success, but a culture of collaboration usually exists in organizations that do this well
  • ‘The answer to every question is yes.’  Look for ways you can accommodate requests for online initiatives;  explain what other priorities you’re already dealing with
  • Encourage everyone to contribute social media content, not just the communications folks
  • Read about Greenpeace’s Mobilisation Lab for a great example of digital innovation

Other sessions I attended with some quick takeaways:

  • Fundraising: The Rise of Boomers and Digital (Jeff Regan, Merkle Inc; Helene Vallone, U.S. Fund for Unicef) – it’s not a choice between acquisition and retention, we must do both.
  • Mindful Engagement at Work and in Life (Aaron Pava, Civic Action) and Mindful or Mind Full Social Media: Techniques and Tricks to Focus in an Age of Distraction (Jana Byington-Smith, Mercy; Rob Cottingham, Social Signal and blogger/master trainer Beth Kanter) – both sessions provided an important reminder for us to manage our attention (not only our time) and to engage with our colleagues at the conference, not only with our phone/computer screens
  • The Three Faces of the Digital Manager: Lover, Fighter and Michael Jackson (Laura Brahm, Open Society Foundations; Danielle Brigida, National Wildlife Foundation; Jed Miller, Revenue Watch Institute; Yesenia Sotelo, SmartCause Digital) – develop relationships – your colleagues have to love you more than they hate change.
  • Project Management: Choosing the Right PM Tools and Approach for Disparate Projects (Peter Campbell, Legal Services Corporation) – try using PM tools similar to software your staff already uses, e.g. SmartSheet
  • Data Is From Mars, Nonprofits Are from Venus (Robert Weiner, Robert L. Weiner Consulting & Tracy Kronzak, Heller Consulting) – after people, data is your most important asset (via John Kenyon)
  • Keys to Post-Implementation Tech Success (Missy Longshore, Longshore Consulting) – training must be ongoing – it’s not a one-time thing.  Using Poll Everywhere for online feedback kept attendees actively engaged.

Dan Pallotta gave a stirring plenary based on his book, Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential.  Make sure you see his TEDTalk video.

Thanks to the Nten staff which had a particularly challenging job this year due to recent staff departures including long time Executive Director Holly Ross (we missed you Holly), but which pulled through admirably.

Missed 13NTC?  If you’re in NYC April 30, I’ll be participating in a conference recap at the next 501TechNYC event.  Hope to see you there.

Why Staff Aren’t Using Your New Database

Change is often difficult, especially when nonprofit staff need to adapt to new database software.  But sometimes when we’ve spent considerable time involving end users in the development process to gain their support, we’re disappointed later that when they resist using the new product.  Especially when we know that the new software is a vast improvement over what they used before.

My colleague at the Center for Court Innovation recently reminded me why this happens.  The problem isn’t that we don’t involve users in the process, the issue is which users we include.  If I include only the managers, we only get a limited perspective.  To get the full picture of how tables, screens, reports should be configured, we need to talk to those who actually do the data entry.  Managers sometimes are so removed from the process so that they aren’t aware how staff actually do the work.

The challenge in implementing this advice is communicate to managers at the beginning of the project that you will need to involve all staff in the process, then do so.  This will avoid their getting upset that you are working around them by later asking to speak to their staff directly.  And of course, make sure not to embarrass the supervisors who may eventually realize that their view of the business process isn’t consistent with what’s actually happening.

If you have worked on projects that don’t work out as you hoped even though everything seemed to flow smoothly, ask whether you’ve taken the time to speak to everyone who will use the new system.  No matter how ‘improved’ the product, staff won’t be happy using new software if they haven’t been included in the design and implementation process.

(Thanks to Jethro Antoine at Newark Community Solutions for this great tip.  Read his blog on Community Justice in Newark.)

Why Organization Structure Matters for Online Success (13NTC Preview)

On Saturday morning, April 13 in Minneapolis I will be moderating a session at the Nonprofit Technology Conference on Why Organization Structure Matters for Online Success (and why traditional departments don’t work).  I’ve just received final presentations from my panelists from two nonprofits: Rusty Burwell of American Lung Association and Mark Pothier of Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and from two firms that serve nonprofits:  Ryan Davis of Blue State Digital and Ted Fickes of Bright+3.

Here’s a brief preview of what we’ll be discussing:

  1. What are common characteristics of nonprofits which succeed online?
  2. In additional to structure, how important is organizational culture?
  3. If you can’t restructure, what else can you do to improve the results of your online campaigns
  4. How does the size of your nonprofit affect your digital results?
  5. What steps can you take to break down silos and improve collaboration at your organization?

I’ve asked mjy speakers to keep their presentations brief so we can engage in an interactive conversation with each other and with the audience.   If you’re planning to be at next month’s conference (which is always great), please attend my session.

Should Volunteers Be Asked to Donate Also?

Many nonprofits depend heavily on volunteers to achieve their mission, such as great organizations like God’s Love We Deliver (where I volunteered for several years) and Dorot (for whom I work currently).  Clearly it is important to thank volunteers, since their role is often as important as that of paid staff.  But should volunteers be asked to support these organizations financially also, as is suggested in 4 Ways to Turn Volunteers into Donors.

My take – it depends on how the ask is made.  When I choose to volunteer for a nonprofit, I have already chosen causes that I feel strongly about, e.g. helping seniors.  So I might not be averse to adding financial support, as long as my volunteer efforts are acknowledged and appreciated.  But if I choose not to donate, I want my work to be considered as important as those who help with  contributions.  After all, there are many ways to help a nonprofit, and many organizations would not exist without the help of volunteers.

For more on this topic, the NY Charities NYC event on Feb. 27 will discuss Best Practices for Attracting, Managing and Retaining Volunteers with participating staff from several nonprofits such as JASA (for which I also volunteer).  And if some of your volunteers decide to make donations also, consider it a bonus – not a requirement.

Helping Our Seniors To Go Online

Do you know a senior who would benefit from learning how to use the Internet to connect with family & friends and to enjoy the online resources that most of us now take for granted?

For the past year, I have volunteered through Dorot and JASA to visit seniors in need of companionship and encouragement.  I’ve found that through only an hour or so of my time each week, I can make a big difference in the life of someone who is homebound and/or lacking a community.

Now, through my work with Landmark Education, I am doing a community project to bring in my professional skills in technology and training to enable more seniors to enjoy spending time online. As a first step, I am reaching out to others are already doing this work, such as SeniorNet and the gerontechnology research team at Pace University.  There is also an insightful report from Pew Internet on Older Adults and Internet Use.

Many seniors may need encouragement to get over their fear or reluctance to becoming computer savvy.  As an example, at synagogue today, my Rabbi wasn’t feeling well and told me how sorry he was that he wouldn’t be able to deliver his sermon that he had prepared all week.  I suggested that if he used email, he could send us his talk so we could still benefit from his knowledge, even when he wasn’t able to speak to us.  His eyes glistened, and he replied “you may have something there.”  (I’ve offered to give him some private lessons, but he hasn’t yet taken me up on my offer.)

If you are interested in helping our seniors to better utilize technology and the web, I invite you to join me in this initiative.  After all, we’ll all be seniors someday (hopefully). More details to come in coming weeks.

Addendum 3/26/13
This is why I am seeking to increase community for seniors: read excerpt from page 2 (A Greater Role for Dorot) in Dorot Generations, Winter 2003: “Over the past 25 years, a growing body of research has shown isolation and loneliness to be significant risk factors for physical and mental illness, malnutrition and premature death.  Conversely, other studies have shown that people with more types of social ties fought infections more efficiently, achieved better recovery from strokes, and were less susceptible to depression…”

Tips for Implementing a New Database

Have you ever spent months implementing new database software, only to find out that it’s not being used?  Here are some tips to help you to have a better result:

  • Don’t skimp on testing.  Users must try every function on the computer they normally use.  If your database is web based, pay particular attention to the browser used and version.  (For example, if some of your users are on Windows XP, they won’t be able to install the latest version of Internet Explorer.)
  • If testing is done on a different server than where the software will eventually be loaded, make sure the hardware configuration matches.  Otherwise, you may find later that the production version of the application runs slower / differently than it did on the QA server
  • Make sure testing includes staff that will actually enter data into the database, not just managers
  • Keep a shared list of all open issues, then update them as they are addressed.  Do NOT try to keep track through email.
  • Make sure ALL of the old data is imported successfully.  Don’t be surprised if there is data in multiple sources, including Excel spreadsheets AND Access databases.
  • Provide plenty of training.  I’ve seen many systems with great functionality which were wasted because users couldn’t understand how to use them
  • Expect that changes will be needed once the database goes live.  No matter how good your requirements gathering process is, new issues will arise once the new software is in use
  • Make sure that you’ve included ways to get the data out in useful report formats not just to get the data in.  If possible, allow users to create / edit their own reports (or at least find a tech savvy staff member who can assist with report generation)

If users hate your database, it’s usually not the software – it’s about how it’s been implemented.