Grassroots.org

Don’t miss the technology and nonprofit news that everyone’s buzzing about. From the super-useful to the sort of weird, we round up the week’s most-re-tweeted stories every Friday.

Want these updates in real time? Follow us on Twitter.

Marketing Times outlines 11 predictions for social media in 2012.

Contrary to popular opinion, it’s O.K. to tweet about your morning Cornflakes, says The Basement Entrepreneur.

Don’t spend a fortune to motivate employees, says Linhart PR Blog

Analyze this. Hi Def Web breaks down Google Analytics for your nonprofit.

You know what they say about assuming, and 7 other killer social media mistakes, from Social Media Today.

Welcome to this week's edition of "Grassroots.org Tool of the Week," our growing list of tech tool reviews from Mike Mann's Web Development Best Practices. Check the archives for our previous reviews, and come back next week for more insight on the web’s best tools for nonprofits.

What is AddThis?
AddThis is a bookmarking tool that lets readers instantly share articles, photos and links across a constantly growing database of social media and websites. The small icon appears at the bottom of any website or blog post; users can simply click the appropriate icon and share an interesting site with their friends and followers across multiple web channels.

How does Grassroots.org use AddThis?
We used a Drupal module to automatically place an AddThis icon on every blog post and news article on our site. This gives our readers an easy way to share information with their colleagues.

AddThis also guides our web strategy. Each month, AddThis sends analytics, which let us analyze the articles and posts that are the most popular and most shared among our readers. We use these stats to spot readership trends, develop ideas for new blog posts and expand our social media presences. Ultimately, this builds our credibility, our membership and, we hope, our base of supporters.

How should my nonprofit use AddThis?
Any nonprofit should sign up for AddThis! The tool is free and provides an easy way for your supporters to share information about your cause and further your mission.

Even if your site doesn't have an active blog or news section, AddThis is an inconspicuous way to spread the word about your organization.

How can I sign-up?
Go to www.addthis.com, install your favorite icon and start sharing!

As we wrap up Women’s History Month, one Grassroots.org organization is giving women around the world a brighter future.

Circle of Women, a student-run organization based in Cambridge, MA, provides programs to close the gender gap in literacy and education in developing countries.

Its most recently completed effort, Project Wonkhai, built a secondary school for 1,200 students in Afghanistan. Now, the Afghan government recruits teachers and Circle of Women supports its staff with salaries, supplies and textbooks.

This sort of support is more essential as technology creates a smaller, more interactive global community, said Samantha Peretore, a 2009 Awareness officer for Circle of Women. “As our world shrinks into a single ‘global village,’ I find the opportunity to extend a hand to women across the globe to be simply extraordinary,” Peretore said.

Don’t miss the technology and nonprofit news that everyone’s buzzing about. From the super-useful to the sort of weird, we round up the week’s most-re-tweeted stories every Friday.

Want these updates in real time? Follow us on Twitter.

Ode magazine wonders whether video games will save the troubled education system

Mashable reports on Facebook’s new fan page analytics feature.

Social media an essential tool, not a passing fad, for PR pros, says
Mashable.

In Los Angeles, it really pays to recycle, says Good magazine.
http://ow.ly/1h8gc

It doesn’t take any extra time to utilize social media, says Duct Tape Marketing.

Haiti’s tragedy was a tipping point for online giving, says the NonProfit Times.

Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons' Frenkieb

As we open the toolbox to all African countries, one Grassroots.org nonprofit already stands out for its dedication to African-based principles, art and culture.

For 12 years, Cleveland-based African Soul International has used everything from drum circles to West African Dance performances to expose youth to African culture and professional development opportunities. Ultimately, the organization seeks solutions to educational and societal problems in inner city communities, said Founder and President Jewel Jackson.

African Soul was one of the first members to receive free web design, and Jackson said that online presence allows the nonprofit to touch diverse audiences.

“We now get calls from all over the country,” Jackson said. “We are able to connect ourselves to people that otherwise we would not have had access to without that electronic presence.”

In the end, it’s all about the kids.

“It’s a great level of exposure and professionalism to have a great website that is worth more than what we have to pay at this time,” Jackson said. “It has given us the time to really focus on quality and the development of young people in a professional way”

Welcome to this week's edition of "Grassroots.org Tool of the Week": our growing list of tech tool reviews from Mike Mann's Web Development Best Practices. Check the archives for our previous reviews, and come back next week for more insight on the web’s best tools for nonprofits.

What kind of tool is Google AdWords?

The easiest way to describe Google AdWords: The "Nutrisystem" mention that pops up next to search results for the word "diet." The more tech-savvy definition is a keyword-based pay-per-click advertising system that places sponsored links next to relevant search results.

The program lets any users, from start-up bloggers to major corporations, create simple, effective text-based advertising campaigns that link back to their websites. For instance, a nutrition blogger might select the phrase "food groups." Each time someone searches those two words, an ad for the nutrition blog appears next to those results. If a visitor clicks the link, the writer pays a small fee based on the popularity of the phrase.

How have we used Google AdWords at Grassroots.org?
One way for Google to "do no evil": Give nonprofits boatloads of free advertising services. Through its Google Grants program, the search engine donates nearly an average of $300 in ads to each grant recipient every month. We've scored at least $36,000 in ads this year.

How should nonprofits use Google AdWords?

All nonprofits should apply for a Google Grant! Any registered 501(c)3 organization — as long as its mission is not specifically religious or political — is eligible for the program.

How can my organization sign up for Google AdWords?

Visit Google Grants or Google AdWords.

A big thanks to My Business Journals, an online publication that covers business trends, for showcasing us on their site this week. The interview covers the need for technology tools in the nonprofit industry and encourages business partners, volunteers and donors to support our mission.

Check out the article!

As Port Au Prince residents grapple with the aftermath of its Jan. 12 earthquake, one of our members is making sure the nation’s kids get to cut loose, at least a little.

The Haiti Soccer Project, based in Long Island, NY, supplies leagues across Haiti with soccer balls, uniforms and cleats. After the quake, the need for consistency and a few endorphins is even greater, said Lesly Williams, founder of the project.

“The people of Haiti have endured the worst disaster in their history…” Williams said. “Over the past few days, as we have seen on television, some kids have resorted to something they are very passionate about — shooting a soccer ball. We’re committed to supporting the youth of Haiti, as well as assisting in the restoration of some normalcy in their lives.”

The Haiti Soccer Project uses several of our web tools, but ultimately Williams’ commitment to Haiti prompted us to select the Haiti Soccer Project as our January Member of the Month.

“Most Haitian children love the game,” Williams said. “They kick just about anything that resembles a soccer ball. It is everywhere, but despite having the desire to play the game, most children are not able to participate in organized leagues with the proper equipment… Soccer offers unique opportunities to promote health, tolerance, teamwork, fair play, cooperation and unity.”

Attention New York members!

Here's a great opportunity to screen a movie and learn how you can turn information into action. Grassrootscamp.org and Organizing20.org are teaming up to present the global launch of 10 Tactics for Turning Information Into Action, a film by Tactical Technology Collective that includes stories from 25 rights advocates around the world who have successfully used information and digital technologies to create positive change.

After the film, you'll have the chance to join a panel discussion and post-event networking.

Preview the film, and RSVP for a seat at the event! Details are below:

Date/Time: February 17, 7:00pm
Location: The Tank Theater, 354 West 45th Street, New York, NY 10036
Cost: $5 in advance, $10 at the door
RSVP at: http://www.grassrootscamp.org

For more information, visit GrassrootsCamp's calendar. Please email Aliceif you have any questions or if for any reason, you're unable to pay for the event.

If you're an avid follower of the Grassroots.org blog, you know that over the next few months, our staff will review one web tool each week. Each tool comes from this list of Web Development Best Practices from Grassroots.org founder Mike Mann. So check back for advice, insight and information on the web’s best technologies for nonprofits.

What kind of tool is Twitter?
Twitter is a social media tool that relies exclusively on 140-character mini-blogs. Similar to the status update feature on Facebook, Twitter allows users to shout out quick, snappy messages to a set list of followers. It has become a popular tool in most industries, but marketing, media, entertainment and nonprofit professionals have especially latched on to the network.

How have we used Twitter at Grassroots.org?
Twitter's usefulness is threefold: We learn about other organizations, stay up-to-date on nonprofit news and events, and gain exposure.

On a practical level, Twitter is an excellent source for archiving articles and resources. We follow a range of organizations, including marketing experts, start-up nonprofits, and major news outlets. Often, our Twitter feed reads like a mini news page, with links to articles on everything from technology to nonprofit news to humanitarian services.

The most tangible outcome on Twitter is publicity. We've gone from zero followers to nearly 3,000 since joining, and it's helped us gain exposure and connect with other organizations. Our cast of followers is diverse and includes everyone from member organizations to reporters for major media outlets. How does that translate to more publicity? At least 10 new accounts follow us every day, which has made Twitter our top referencing site for Grassroots.org

How should my nonprofit use Twitter?
All nonprofits should sign up for a Twitter account. It's an easy, free and fun way to network and snag some free publicity.

After signing up, search for followers. Typically, it's best to seek out organizations or individuals who identify with your cause. Once you collect a substantial follower list, begin Tweeting. The best way to find followers is to be an active Twitter participant. Re-tweet interesting articles, respond directly to individuals, and write a few messages each day.

As your Twitter presence grows, consider a tool such as Hoot Suiteto manage your account. Hoot Suite lets users connect Facebook and Twitter accounts, schedule Twitter feeds and analyze growth statistics.

How can my nonprofit sign up for the tool?
Go to the Twitter homepage, and start chirping.