Social Media

The question many nonprofit leaders ask is, “How much time should I be spending on social media?” The answer depends on your goals.

Nonprofits can tap the power of their rock stars — biggest fans and most active advocates — to spread the word via social media.

PALO ALTO, Calif., September 10, 2009 — Today, Ning, (www.ning.com), the social platform for interests and passions online, launched Ning Apps, bringing more than 90 new, rich features to the 1.5 million Ning Networks and 33 million registered users currently on the Ning Platform.

September 8, 2009, The Christian Science Monitor — Scott Harrison’s new media revolution started by accident.

The Case Foundation recently announced the upcoming launch of "Gear Up for Giving", a month-long series of trainings designed to help nonprofits understand how to best leverage social media to help raise money and awareness.

September 1, 2009 — As we begin Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Aflac has pledged $1 million to the Aflac Cancer Center cause in the form of a matching grant.  Aflac will give these funds as Facebook users make a commitment to the cause by joining, recruiting friends, and making donations.  Aflac will donate $1 for anyone who joins the Aflac Cancer Center cause and match every $1 donated on the cause, up to $1 million.

August 31, 2009, Seattle Post Intelligencer — A sign welcomes blood donors to the Puget Sound Blood Center on Thursday in Bellevue. Donors are being recruited via social media sites as part of a new method to bring people into the center.

Atlanta, GA, September 1, 2009 — Social media solutions provider ThePort Network, Inc. announced today the availability of a new whitepaper entitled "How to Identify Enterprise-Class Social Networking Platforms." The whitepaper discusses critical factors organizations must evaluate when considering utilizing social network software and how to identify platforms that are tailored to help accomplish their mission. The whitepaper is available for free download at ThePort's website.

AUSTIN, TEXAS, September 1, 2009 — The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) has drawn attention to hundreds of historic sites and other favorite places across the country with a creative and engaging social media campaign, This Place Matters. Launched earlier this summer with support and guidance from Charity Dynamics, the campaign enables individuals to share stories and photos of places that matter to them and also discuss ways to preserve those places.

August 28, 2009, The Wall Street Journal — Nonprofit organizations seeking to harness Facebook can get the most bang for their buck by using fan pages in addition to groups, streamlining their app usage and livening things up, one of its marketing execs said Friday.