Google announces new service for nonprofits
June 23, 2011
Google has announced a new program for nonprofits, which they say will include a grant for adwords, exclusive tools, and collaboration forums. “Instead of applying to each Google product individually,” nonprofits can apply for a suite of tools here, according to Google’s blog posts.
For further details including video presentations, see:
http://www.google.com/nonprofits/
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/youre-changing-world-we-want-to-help.html
http://www.fastcompany.com/1739527/google-announces-new-service-for-nonprofits
Key findings from Society for New Communications Research (hint: blogging is being taken seriously!)
May 25, 2010
Key Findings From the 2009 Middleberg / SNCR Survey of Media in the Wired World
Author
Jennifer McClure
Don Middleberg
Society for New Communications Research
Publication Date
February 1, 2010
Summary
The Second Annual Middleberg/SNCR Survey of Media in the Wired World examines: 1) how journalists are adopting these new social media and citizen journalism tools and technologies, and 2) their attitudes about how social media and citizen journalism are affecting their profession. The study found growth in the use of these tools across all their data sets, in contrast to the 2008 study in which uptake was higher among younger versus older journalists.
* “Nearly 70 percent of journalists are using social networking sites, a 28% increase since the 2008 study
* 48 percent are using Twitter or other microblogging sites and tools, a 25% increase since 2008
* 66 percent are using blogs
* 48 percent are using online video
* 25 percent are using podcasts
* More than 90 percent of journalists agree that new media and communications tools and technologies are enhancing journalism to some extent”
“…91 percent of respondents agreed that new media and communications tools and technologies are enhancing journalism. Journalists that participated in the study reported that they are increasingly using social media to disseminate news, find story ideas and sources, monitor sentiments and discussions, research individuals and organizations, keep up on issues and topics of interest and participate in conversations. Additionally, journalists’ perception of the credibility of most social media channels is increasing. Nearly 80 percent of respondents agreed that new media and communications technologies allow them to report with greater accuracy, and 80 percent of journalists believe that bloggers have become important opinion shapers in the 21st century and many are increasingly incorporating citizen-generated media into their reporting.”
Click here to read this document in PDF format.
In order to expand our professional portfolio and create more connections with peer nonprofit organizations, 501(c)ommunications is currently doing some pro bono, project-based communications and marketing work with selected candidates. For example, we are currently working with Answer, a program created by the Rutgers University Center of Applied Psychology, on a social media marketing campaign.
About 501(c)ommunications:
Basically, 501(c)ommunications is a small, intimate, shared, professional and affordable, and multi-skilled communications and marketing team solely for non-profits– created, produced and staffed by nonprofit professionals (meaning: we are experienced and sensitive to the needs and challenges of the nonprofit industry.)
Essentially, 501 (c)ommunications caters to new, small and/or under-sourced NGOs who need professional multi-media PR, marketing, communications, and IT work done in order to maintain and/or develop their services and products, but cannot afford to hire full-time staff, or a team. We do everything from branding to project management.
Therefore, if you have a specific communications or marketing project that needs to be done yesterday, I suggest you contact me to see if your organization and your project qualify as a pro bono candidate.
For more information, contact me at Kelly@501communications.org
Global FUNDING and FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, media, communications
January 22, 2010
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
http://www.comminit.com/en/funding.html
Justice Initiative Fellows Program at Central European University
Announcing a 2-year programme of study and practical work experience intending to support and further develop a network of 10 lawyers and activists working on human rights-related issues internationally.
Deadline: January 25 2010
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/13895/348
Nieman Fellowships in Global Health Reporting
Awarding 2 Nieman Fellowships in Global Health Reporting for the academic year, one to a US citizen and one to a non-US citizen. The fellows will spend one academic year at Harvard University in the US, followed by 3-4 months of field work in a developing country.
Deadline: January 31 2010
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/266302/2754
Fellows Program in Population Policy Communications
Accepting applications from doctoral-level students from developing countries who are in their 3rd, 4th, or 5th year of studies in family planning and/or reproductive health at academic institutions in the US or Canada.
Deadline: February 4 2010
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/267230
Stop TB Partnership’s Challenge Facility for Civil Society
Inviting applications from grassroots civil society organisations (CSOs) that seek to help shape policy at local levels by giving a voice to people living with tuberculosis (TB) and those involved in its prevention, treatment, and care.
Deadline: February 10 2010
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/307920/347
Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism
Providing stipends to journalists to study topics related to mental health or mental illnesses.
Deadline: April 19 2010
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/265474/2754
Atlas Service Corps Fellowship
Seeking mid-career non-profit (non-governmental [NGO] or citizen sector) leaders in developing countries and the US to apply for a 12- to 18-month overseas fellowship.
Deadline: May 1 2010
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/267935
All Roads Seed Grant Program
Providing a platform for indigenous and underrepresented minority-culture storytellers around the world to showcase their works in order to promote knowledge, dialogue, and understanding with a broader, global audience.
Deadline: Rolling deadline
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/284500
Humphrey Fellowship Program: Journalism Fellowships
Offering a 10-month stay at a journalism college in the US to study journalism and undertake professional affiliations at US news organisations. Applicants should have a minimum of 5 years of substantial professional experience, limited or no experience in the US, and demonstrated leadership qualities and commitment to their communities.
Deadline: Varies by country
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/147205/2754
The IJP Journalists’ Bursaries
Inviting applications for participation in an exchange of German journalists with international colleagues. For every German journalist taking part in a programme abroad, a foreign colleague will have the opportunity to work in a German media organisation. Where requested by media organisations or bursary sponsors, participants can also initiate a direct exchange.
Deadline: Varies by programme
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/306525/2754
International Service for Human Rights Internships
Seeking interns to observe and learn about both the United Nations (UN) human rights system and the international human rights non-governmental community through full- and part-time internships from 3-6 months at the Geneva, Switzerland, Office of the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR).
Deadline: Varies by internship
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/297464/348
Ford Foundation International Fellowships Programme
Providing opportunities for advanced study to individuals from any one of 22 countries who will use this education to become leaders in their respective fields, furthering development in their own countries and greater economic and social justice worldwide. The fellowship provides support for up to 3 years of formal graduate-level study leading to a masters or doctoral degree.
Deadline: Varies by country
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/147050/348
African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) Small Grants Programme (SGP)
Supporting small, community/rural-based grassroots women’s groups in Ghana, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Nigeria. The SGP also supports emerging or emergency issues.
Deadline: Rolling deadline
http://www.comminit.com/en/node/267128/38
We Media PitchIt! Challenge (looking for the most innovative ideas inspiring a better world through media)
December 29, 2009
We Media PitchIt! Challenge
Filed Under:
* media
* journalism
* competition
Deadline: January 20, 2010. US$25,000 prize
Are you a storyteller? An influencer? A connector? An idea person?
We Media and Ashoka’s Changemakers are looking for the most innovative ideas inspiring a better world through media. Be part of the 2010 We Media PitchIt! Challenge.
ENTER your solutions from now until January 20, 2010. The top finalists will pitch their ideas at We Media Miami, March 9-11, 2010. The best entry in each category–non-profit and business–will receive a $25,000 prize to help launch their new venture.
What happens when people have the power to tell their story?
We Media and Ashoka’s Changemakers have teamed up once again to find and launch the best new ideas for inspiring a better world through media. In the We Media PitchIt! Challenge, we’re looking for groundbreaking solutions from all fields that incite action, encourage collaboration, and lead society to knowledge.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation, we will provide $50,000 in seed funding to help launch the best solutions. One business and one non-profit venture will each receive $25,000 in seed capital.
Entrants will have the freedom to collaborate with potential partners and investors, while the global online community will discuss, debate and improve upon the most creative solutions.
All finalists will participate in the sixth annual We Media Event in Miami, March 9-11, 2010, and present their ideas to a panel of judges as well as potential funders and partners.
The competition will be open to individuals from all countries. We consider the following criteria:
* Media Focus: Ideas should reflect the theme of the competition. We are searching for innovative ideas that use media to create social change.
* Idea Stage: We’re looking for early-stage ventures or brand new ideas that have not yet been launched or built. These may be entirely new ventures, new companies or new projects from existing organizations.
* Business or Non-Profit: There will be two categories: business and non-profit. In the business category, the funding must be used to support the start-up of a new business that will have a sustainable revenue model. In the non-profit category, the funding should be used to support the launch of a non-profit venture or the development of a new project for an existing non-profit organization.
* Completed Form: Entries must be fully completed and submitted before the deadline of January 20, 2010.
* Language: Entries should be submitted in English.
B. Assessment Criteria
There will be several stages to this process:
1) The community’s comments will be included in the evaluation process.
2) The finalists will be selected by a combination of We Media and expert judges. Finalists will be announced on February 3, 2010.
3) Each finalist will attend We Media Miami March 9-11, 2010 and make a formal presentation to attendees and a panel of expert judges. There will be separate expert panels for business and non-profit ideas.
4) We Media PitchIt! Challenge finalists will each receive the following travel assistance for attending We Media Miami 2010:
* Up to $300 toward a coach airline ticket
* 2 nights lodging in Miami
* Registration for the entire We Media Event
* A display location in the gallery
5) Winners each receive $25,000 in seed funding: The judges will select one business and one non-profit entry. Each winner will receive $25,000 in seed funding.
Judges will consider the following criteria:
* Innovation: Is the idea innovative? This is the knock-out test. The idea should represent a disruptive innovation that changes the way media works. The innovation should demonstrate a substantial difference from other initiatives in the field and have the potential for large-scale expansion. We look for innovative business practices, entrepreneurial quality and a plausible sustainable model.
* Story Telling: Does this idea tell a story in a new or innovative way – or enable others to tell their stories? Does it create and apply a unique storytelling experience through journalism, discovery, narrative, exposition, or new methods and metaphors? We are looking for ideas that change the way we experience or understand storytelling. In this context, we define storytelling broadly.
* Social Impact: Does the idea affect social conditions, stimulate citizenship, raise awareness, influence public policy, or marshal support for an idea of broad social significance? Does this idea present a solution for increasing access, knowledge or connection for all? The idea may address a specific underserved community or the society at large, but ultimately it is important that the innovation has a potential for application or replication globally. It is also important that the idea does not have a negative environmental impact.
* Sustainability: Will the innovator be able to launch and sustain this idea? For an innovation to be truly effective, it should have a plan for securing financial backing and community support. We are looking for social entrepreneurs with ideas that are financially sustainable and scalable. We will also consider the experience and capacity of the innovator (or team), who will be expected to launch the idea.
* Design: Does the idea creatively engage multiple levels of intelligence and understanding of complex information with clarity, style, and meaning?
* Pattern Change: Does the idea pioneer original approaches and paradigms?
* Purpose: Does the idea express a purposeful vision through values reflecting ethics, credibility, responsibility and authenticity?
* Community: Does the idea seek to organize a community, virtual or geographic, in a new way?
Peace and Collaborative Development Network (online network site!)
October 20, 2009
Free professional networking site (with over 10,030 members from around the world) fostering peaceful conflict resolution.
This is an invitation to join the Peace and Collaborative Development Network (http://internationalpeaceandconflict.org), an online initiative to bring together organizations, professionals, academics and students working in peacebuilding, social entrepreneurship, international affairs and related fields.
This is a free professional networking site with over 10,030 members from around the world. The site is a terrific networking tool where members can find local and international partners and practitioners, share resources, read guides to careers, scholarships, internships, funding, and IT resources in the field, and exchange best practices. Discussion topics and personal blogs can be posted. The site also has a video section where members can access and view videos related to the field.
Feel free to explore the site content and features, REGISTER and create your own profile, contribute to a DISCUSSION TOPIC, start a blog, connect with colleagues, CHAT on conflict related topics, INVITE OTHERS to join, view a VIDEO, and more. You can also read the GUIDES to CAREERS, ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, FUNDING, RESEARCH AND PRACTICE.
2009 America’s Giving Challenge
October 7, 2009
2009 America’s Giving Challenge
October 7, 2009
The Case Foundation, Causes and PARADE are joining together to present the 2009 America’s Giving Challenge, a national competition launching on October 7.
The Challenge, which will be featured in an October 11th cover story in Parade and will utilize the Causes application on Facebook, will enable passionate individuals and nonprofits to compete for awards of up to $50,000, based on the number of donations they garner for their favorite cause.
The first America’s Giving Challenge brought together tens of thousands of people and motivated them to give to the causes they care about. We hope this year’s Challenge will not only help nonprofits leverage their existing efforts to raise awareness, support and donations, but will be a catalyst to help nonprofits think about how to use online social networking and social media in a more strategic way to engage supporters for their causes.
In the weeks ahead, we’ll share more details about how this year’s Challenge will work. In the meantime, if you haven’t already, I encourage you to check out our Gear Up for Giving training sessions aimed at helping nonprofits better navigate the world of social media. It is our hope that nonprofits participating in these sessions will put their new skills in action by participating in America’s Giving Challenge. In addition, you can help us spread the word about the upcoming launch by blogging, tweeting (using #AGC), posting on Facebook, or sharing with your network in some other way. We look forward to having you join us for the 2009 America’s Giving Challenge!
World Challenge 09: Learn about it this year–compete next year!
October 1, 2009
World Challenge 09
Voting open 28 September-13 November 2009. Winner of the World Challenge 2009 will receive a grant of $20,000.
The finalists of World Challenge 09 will be profiled on BBC World News in six 30 minute programmes. You can vote for your favourite project/business. Voting will opens on 28th September 2009 and will close at midnight (GMT) on 13th November 2009.
World Challenge 09 is a competition organised by BBC World News Limited (“BBC World News”) aimed at finding projects or small businesses from around the world that have shown enterprise and innovation at a grass roots level (the “Competition”). We want to hear from our viewers and readers about the social entrepreneurs who are making a difference without costing the earth. It could be you or someone you know.
Each grant will be awarded to one person nominated by the relevant project/small business to represent the project/small business and accept the grant on its behalf (the ‘Representatives’?), and BBC World News, Newsweek and the Jury accept no obligation to any other people linked to the project/small business.
The winner of the World Challenge 2009 will receive a grant of $20,000.
Making the Case for Your Marketing Budget (online webcast FEB 3)
January 21, 2009
This online webcast might be useful for those of you doing marketing for nonprofits and small businesses. It will also help you understand all the work involved in marketing and why it is key to any PR, communications, or fundraising campaigns.
February 3 2009
Online Webcast, United States
| Website: https://www.academicimpressions.com/web_conferences/0209-marketing-case.php Contact name: Kevin Kientz |
Learn how to develop and present an effective argument for the value of your institution’s marketing and branding initiatives.
Organized by: Academic Impressions
Deadline for abstracts/proposals: Not available.
Check the event website for latest details.
Change.org: Ideas for Change in America Contest
January 5, 2009
We’re excited to let you know that this morning we opened voting for the final round of the Ideas for Change in America competition at www.change.org/ideas.
As you may know, we launched the competition back in November with MySpace and more than 50 nonprofit partners in response to Barack Obama‘s call for citizen involvement in government. First round voting ended on December 31, and the top rated ideas from a diverse range of 7,783 submissions have qualified for the final round.
The final round of voting ends on January 15, and the following day we are co-hosting an event at the National Press Club with the Case Foundation to announce the top 10 rated ideas and present them to the Obama administration. We will then launch a national campaign in coordination with our nonprofit partners to ensure that each idea gets the full consideration of the administration and 111th Congress.
To select your “Top 10 Ideas for America,” go to http://www.change.org/ideas and become a part of the people-powered movement leading the call for change in America.
We look forward to seeing you on the site!
– The Change.org Team
Introducing the Nonprofit Guru: Kelly N Patterson 