Grassroots.org

A few weeks ago, I came across a new company at the forefront of the mobile web movement that I believe nonprofits should know about: ur mobile. This innovative group is revolutionizing the way that donors give to nonprofits. Over the last few years, we have all witnessed the booming prevalence of the smartphone: "the Swiss Army knives of the Digital Age" (New York Times). The ur mobile team knows that this trend will undoubtedly continue and believes nonprofits should do all they can to take advantage of the mobile revolution.

Ur mobile optimizes nonprofit websites for mobile devices, making it easier for supporters to learn more and donate to nonprofits via their smartphones. Often, the experience of viewing a website on a mobile browser leaves something to be desired. Cluttered pages and too much information can overwhelm visitors that might otherwise engage with your organization. If the information mobile visitors seek is easily accessible, they are more likely to become donors.

Text-to-give is a popular way to donate to causes via mobile phones. However, there are many limitations with this method of giving. Namely, this method does not allow nonprofits to capture donor information, making recurring donations near impossible. Mobile browser giving allows you to translate online giving best practices to smartphones. To see for yourself how the Mobile Engagement Process works, check out the site urcause.org on both your desktop/laptop and mobile browser and observe the difference.

To learn more about ur mobile or mobile giving, visit urmobile.com.

We're answering your questions on the Toolbox, web tools and nonprofit resources in our new Nonprofit Q&A section. Check out this month's member questions for tips you can apply to your site! If you have a question or need advice, email question@grassroots.org

Q: I just finished creating and designing my site. how do I publish my site, and "go live"?

Congrats! Now that you've completed, make sure your hard work will be displayed properly to visitors. Login to your webhost (where your site files are stored) and domain registrar (where you purchased your URL) to link these two accounts. Your site is only live when and if your webhost and domain registrar are linked properly. If you're a Doodlekit user, check the URL of your homepage. If you see "doodlekit.com' in there, you're probably missing a step. If it's been a while since your site's launch, perform regular checks to verify that all pages have updated info and that your domain and webhost accounts are still active.

Q: My website is up and running, but how can I increase visibility? We are a local community organization, and it's difficult to reach new audiences on the web.

It's great that your site is a popular destination for current supporters but even small organizations can attract new supporters! Remember, search engines are usually where the curious start, so focus on your Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, to boost traffic. Apply for a Google Adwords Grant, which will help you . Just because a visitor clicks to view your site doesn't mean he;she will stay, so create compelling content, ensure that international visitors can read your site and make sure your site is user-friendly.

Launched by Grassroots.org, Faces of Change is a series of videos that highlight how individuals are contributing to change in their communities. Our latest video is from:

Raphael Louis grew up within a philanthropic environment in Haiti with a familial tradition in public service. Aspired to make government more transparent, Raphael Louis' socio-humanitarian achievements and experiences are notable throughout the creation of the Federal Association for the Advancement of Visible Minorities (FAAVM)--a national and international civil rights and human rights organization working locally and globally.

Braulio Vilar
New Media Intern

My name is Braulio Villar. I am currently a Studio Arts senior student at the City College of New York. I moved to New York City from the Dominican Republic about six years ago. My interest in the nonprofit sector was not evident until today, when I learned about the tremendous role and the impact that nonprofit organizations can have in our society. I have never worked for an organization that is willing to help the nonprofit sector, but I feel very fortunate for my passion for the arts has led me directly into that path with Grassroots.org. I truly believe that in times of economic recession and financial crisis is when we most need an organization like Grassroots.org that provides access, free of charge, to the technology and resources needed to help the nonprofit sector establish a presence in a world currently exposed to a financial crisis and/or economic recession.

While still studying at the City College of New York, I am able to work in a Computer Lab where I have to ensure that students can get access to computers and communication resources. I aid them in the use of software applications and many aspects of the Internet, in support of their curriculum needs. As a result, I am a student constantly exposed to these technologies and have noticed that the digital age has generally influenced our lives and means of communication and information sharing. For instance, we have become constantly exposed to new technologies, software and ideas and skills that are only made possible with the help of the Internet. The Internet has allowed us to incorporate share and or borrow ideas, while at the same time we have become more dependable upon it. The development in growth of the visual communication has been highly influenced by the increase of information sharing and networking, brought about by the digital age.

In a Digital Era, where the Internet is the norm of the day and where social networking sites have revolutionized social networking, I strongly support and believe in the mission of Grassroots.org, to ensure that nonprofit organizations can get access, free of charge, to the technologies and resources needed to establish a virtual presence in a world currently exposed to an economic recession.

I am very excited to work for Grassroots.org, a nonprofit organization that is willing to help the nonprofit sector!

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 service is Animoto?

Anyone can easily create a simple slideshow on the web using their own photos. Animoto takes this a step further by creating professional video out of your photos complete with text, music and even your own video clips! The seamless transitions and professional quality of Animoto-created videos truly make it seem like you're watching a video, not just a slideshow. The high quality videos do not require a high level of tech-savviness, either. A user-friendly interface guides you through three simple steps: choose your images, choose your music, finalize your video and you're ready to share it!

How does Grassroots.org use Animoto?

Visit our YouTube channel and you'll notice our Animoto-created video presentations. Using slides that were previously part of other presentations, Animoto helped us find a new way to show prospective members, supporters and volunteers what Grassroots.org does. These presentations now serve as an introduction to anyone interested in learning about Grassroots.org.

How should my nonprofit use Animoto?

While having a YouTube channel may be great, you also need to create content for the channel in order to keep subscribers interested. Animoto can help you share and display your organization's latest work on your site, YouTube or anywhere video can be embedded. Users have complete creative control over your content; if you've ever tried to arrange your digital photo collection in a slideshow, you have the basics needed to use Animoto!

How can I signup for Animoto?

Animoto offers nonprofits free access to their professional package through their program, Animoto for a Cause. Check out other nonprofit uses of Animoto on their website, and fill out a short form to apply for free access!

Carbon County Friends of Animals is a nonprofit organization which advocates the elimination of animal suffering through sheltering and finding homes for unwanted pets. We also promote low-cost spaying and neutering, and provide educational outreach concerning the welfare of pets. We are a privately run organization, founded in 1998 from a direct need to shelter unwanted cats within our county. Although “Carbon County” is part of our organization name, we do NOT receive any funding from the county or any other government agency. All of our operations, maintenance, and care expenses are paid for by monies raised by fund-raising and donations. Our goal is to try to shelter as many cats as possible without having to look towards euthanasia as a means of control. We continuously rely and greatly appreciate the donations that we receive from our generous contributors.

On a more personal level, I have a dream that in another land, there is no such thing as a homeless or suffering animal. We all live in peace and prosperity and fill one another with love and hope for the future. However, reality is slightly different, especially for an animal without a home and without love. Although we are a small organization, we base our goals on the ripple effect. Each change we make, each best friend we match, each small change has an effect; like ripples in a pond, that single life effects us all. One single life, so insignificant on its own, can change the future when in the right hands. Ah, you may be thinking, “How could a cat change the course of history?” Well, it’s been known to happen. Did you know that the first cat to explore outer space was named Felix, or that King Charles I had a cat named Lucky? Many believe that Lucky the cat single-handedly brought Democracy to England, by simply being a cat.

These incredible creatures do not even need to make such changes to the world. Simply, by being themselves, and loving a human being, they imprint themselves on that person for life. How significant that little insignificant creature becomes simply by loving someone. This is CCFOA’s goal. As the tagline reads, “We have been matching best friends since 1998”.

With the help of Grassroots.org, our little organization is now on the world-wide web. We were matched up with an extraordinary web designer named Ashley Hatt. Utilizing her skills, we have a wonderful interactive site, an updated logo, new business cards and a shelter store. She was even so kind as to donate our first batch of cards. We are also getting contributions online! Grassroots.org offers wonderful tools to assist with fundraising and locating volunteers. The Grassroot.org Toolbox has become an invaluable asset in sustaining our organization.

It wasn’t until last year that I discovered Grassroots.org. Before that day, it was insignificant to me. Amazing, how just like one of our kitties, Grassroots.org changed the course of our organization’s future. This tiny ripple that you made in our pond has helped keep us afloat. It’s for this, and for many other reasons, that I thank you.

With Sincerest Regards,

Christy Nothstein
CCFOA

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.

What kind of service is Benevolabs' Website Usability Review?

A Usability Review evaluates a website against standard usability principles. This type of review can be used to let an organization know what is working with their website and what is not. The Usability Review takes into consideration nonprofit website best practices and tells you if your message is being conveyed effectively through your website and if your goals for the website are being met. Benevolabs' Usability Review in particular takes a detailed look at the following website categories: Page Layout & Site Organization, Content and Language, Building Credibility, Navigation and Goodwill.

How did Grassroots.org use a Website Review?

After requesting a review from Benevolabs, Grassroots.org was asked to provide:
1) Our website URL
2) Most common tasks for visitors to our site
3) The primary business goals of our site (portal for sales, advertising revenue, find work or volunteer opportunities, source of information, technical support for customers, etc.)

One week later, Benevolabs e-mailed a 10-page review to our staff. The report included an executive summary, a walk-through of the usability items they evaluated, and a prioritized list of recommendations. For instance, we were told we might receive more member sign-ups if we reduced the number of fields on our nonprofit webform.

How should my nonprofit use this review?

If your nonprofit already has a live website, this tool will help you immensely. The report is written with the intent of being self-explanatory. Benevolabs balances the need to be concise and candid by providing information that will facilitate full understanding of the recommendations.

How can I sign up for a Website Usability Review through Benevolabs?

To request your review now, click here.

The Benevolabs services break down into two bundles. The Basic Review is an "unbiased sanity check" for an organization’s site. The price is $250, and it covers the areas detailed above. They also offer a Premium package which includes everything in the Basic plan, plus a review of your site's e-commerce, forms, browser performance and more. For more details, visit this page.

Launched by Grassroots.org, Faces of Change is a series of videos that highlight how individuals are contributing to change in their communities. Our latest video is from:

Elaine Silveira at South Kids International

Elaine Silveira was born in Rio de Janeiro to a family with four children. The difficulties of growing up in Brazil inspired her to make a difference in the lives of Brazilian children. Elaine realized the growing problem of abandoned children in the streets of Brazil, and founded a nonprofit called South Kids International. Today, Elaine is married, working at South Kids International and traveling the world as a part-time flight attendant. She has learned the value of giving and the enrichment of receiving in many ways, through health, friendship and accomplishments in life.

Tell us how you are creating change; email Facesofchange at Grassroots.org.