4.3 Online Research Discussion

The purpose of this activity is to experience "hands-on" research of current social networking and e-fundraising. Report your findings by posting a 200-300 word discussion. The report should provide new ideas for online effectiveness, a possible critique of the site, and suggest ways you might use the information in your organization.

Go online and select a networked nonprofit organization that conducts an online fundraising event. Explain briefly what type of e-fundraiser they conduct, when it is conducted, and how they conduct it, describing the specific online tools they use. Describe how you might use, in your nonprofit organization (church or other organization in which you volunteer), some of the tools that they used for this event, thinking specifically of your Week 6 Fundraising Plan. Use the information from the class readings to discuss the observed strengths or weaknesses of their event. Please feel free to add other helpful information to your report.

Note that this “event” should be a one-time online fundraiser, such as The March of Dimes Walk-a-Thon or a corporate fundraiser and not just a permanent “donate” button on their website. This exercise will provide ideas for Major Assignment #2: Case Study 2 (due in Week 6). The reading from Mansfield, Chapters 9-14, will also clarify this assignment.

Open the discussion and select Create Thread to post your 200-300 word report to the class discussion.
Due by Day Five (5)