WELCOME TO ORG 2.0
GetActive, NetSquared and Squidoo partner up to bring you this list of the 59 smartest nonprofit organizations online today.
These charities were chosen for their excellence in online storytelling and collaboration with their donors. We didn't play favorites to one cause over another, nor did we look at their fundraising goals or number of members. Instead, these organizations are winners because of their web 2.0 smarts and a willingness to engage their constituents far beyond asking them to dig into their pockets.These are organizations that give their volunteers and members a voice and get out of the way. They're pros at mobilizing awareness online. They're experimentors. Innovators. On a mission. They're fearless.
NetSquared, GetActive and Squidoo all share a similar mission: making it free, easy, and fun for people to support and talk about good causes online.
THE 59 SMARTEST ORGS ONLINE
The best of 2006!
Check out their sites and stories and communities. Then vote for your favorites on the list.
(Pssst: If you want to embed this list on your own blog or site, just click the "Grab this List" button and go.)
Greenpeace
What's smart: The "Defending our Oceans" campaign gives their members a voice and a platform.147 points
KIVA
What's smart: Personalized sponsorships--you choose which entrepreneur to support. Leveraging traditional TV to support online efforts. Flickr, Squido...104 points
Modest Needs
What's smart: Structured around small one-time gifts of financial assistance. Highlight: the ability for donors to give through eBay auctions.73 points
New York City Coalition Against Hunger
What's smart: Find more than 1,200 local soup kitchens and food pantries via first-ever interactive maps of hunger and food resources in New York City...51 points
WorldChanging
What's smart: A well-designed group blog on tools, ideas, and solutions that bring about positive change. Users can also post comments in the communit...44 points
Ferrets Unlimited Ferret Shelter
What's smart: It's not the size of the ferret that matters, it's the size of the heart in their supporters. Yes, small is the new big.33 points
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
What's smart: St. Jude's won't turn a child away. Insurance or no, kids get treated.31 points
ASPCA
What's smart: microdonations are encouraged; use of MySpace, YouTube, message boards.25 points
Doctors Without Borders
What's smart: using videos and blogs as recruitment tools for volunteers and interns.24 points
The ONE Campaign
What's smart: Aggressive use of free media, and micro-donations.20 points
Bridges 2 Hope Project
What's smart: offering patients, their family members, and supporters a FREE opportunity to participate in the advocacy effort.17 points
Oxfam America
What's smart: a daring Starbucks campaign, MySpace Rock for Darfur, winner of the Squidoo 50,000 lens contest.15 points
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
What's smart: their BioGems microsite dedicated to critical natural habitats, includes Google Earth video tours.14 points
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
What's smart: 3 cheers for Team Fox.14 points
Save the Children
What's smart: Harnessing everyday passions. A knitting/crocheting campaign with downloadable kits, local events and interactive maps.13 points
MoveOn
What's smart: This isn't your grandfather's nonprofit. Their 2006 recap [http://pol.moveon.org/2006report/] highlights the strategy behind their mid-t...13 points
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
What's smart: Forget the gatekeepers. The volunteers are empowered, trusted, and valued in a way that every org can learn from.13 points
Amnesty International
What's smart: Online advocacy powerhouse, empowers blogging community, runs numerous campaigns that solicit letters, video, petition signings12 points
Rainforest Action Network
What's smart: active recommendation economy that cycles through MySpace, Flickr, blogs, and videos.12 points
Ad Council
What's smart: Use of YouTube, change in media, the recommendation economy online.12 points
Nature Conservancy
What's smart: Call for user-generated photos, customizable e-cards11 points
DonorsChoose
What's smart: An online platform enabling teachers to propose projects for funding and donors to contribute to specific projects.11 points
Music For America (MFA)
What's smart: an Internet radio station for young musicians to contribute to online. Access to live music events in exchange for doing political outre...11 points
Room to Read
What's smart: What's not?! These guys get most things Org 2.0. Check them out.11 points
Environmental Defense
What's smart: Aggressive and relevant and authentic permission marketing campaigns. Yes, all 3!10 points
Rainforest Alliance
What's smart: Transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.10 points
Ecotrust: Building Salmon Nation
What's smart: Harnessing new marketing media across the web.10 points
Opendemocracy.net
What's smart: Encourages readers to challenge authors and express their views on forum pages.9 points
Human Rights Campaign
What's smart: Use of ebook action guides, passalong of scorecards for grading members of Congress.8 points
Interplast
What's smart: Providing free reconstructive surgery to children in developing countries--uses storytelling to keep visitors connected through blogs,...8 points
World Vision
What's smart: Radio, podcasts, RSS, story ideas section.7 points
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
What's smart: Very focused online, have tons of events and participation for advocates, encourage supporters to blog and make lenses and videos.7 points
TakingITGlobal
What's smart: Focus on young philanthropists online. Its website features a blog, free online team planning space, and video chats.7 points
Witness
What's smart: The Witness Video Hub Pilot--anyone with human-rights related footage will be able to upload video to create change.7 points
Bookcrossing
What's smart: Donate books and watch their progression around the world. Highlights: A uniquely transparent tell-a-friend feature.7 points
Center for Church Communication
What's smart: Kudos to the Church Marketing Sucks blog.7 points
Sierra Club
What's smart: Sierra Club gets points for their creative "cool cities" local advocacy. And a bonus for Sierra Club Radio.6 points
MobileActive
What's smart: A global network of organizations and activists using mobile phones in their social-change work.6 points
Inner-City Scholarship Fund
What's smart: Total relentless passion for what they're doing. Low overhead sponsoring of underprivileged children. Kudos to Anne Reidy.6 points
Grameen Foundation - Fighting poverty with microfinance
What's smart: Microfinance, fearless innovation and use of new media like YouTube, Squidoo. Congrats on the Nobel Prize!5 points
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
What's smart: Tight activist network, focus on social features online, great user-generated content5 points
National MS Society
What's smart: Advocacy via the MS Action Networks; FaceofMS.org looks for stories.5 points
Mayo Clinic: Medical Treatment and Research Centers
What's smart: lots of RSS feeds and videos, and tons of personal experiences and stories.5 points
The Gates Foundation
What's smart: Outstanding and singular commitment to philanthropy, which can be forgotten in a fast-paced online world. (Hey, it's Bill).5 points
Share Our Strength
What's smart: Volunteer-led special events across the country and online.5 points
New Orleans Voices for Peace
What's smart: An org whose core is aligned with the web. Providing web access, hosting, media development for communities affected by the Hurricanes R...5 points
NPR's Science Friday
What's smart: Show host Ira Flatow, for testing conversion from radio mentions to website visits.5 points
Product (RED)
What's smart: crossover between offline retailers, and online storytelling. (Not to mention Bono-power!).4 points
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
What's smart: Crossover offline and retail partnerships, evangelists on Facebook.4 points
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.
What's smart: specialized constituent database management.4 points
Hybrid Center
What's smart: Part of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Excellent single issue ideavirus/tool4 points
Arts Engine Inc.
What's smart: Fostering the production of independent film, video, and other new media. Kudos to MediaRights.org: a database-driven resource for filmm...4 points
Earth Share of Washington
What's smart: Decentralization. This is a federation of 66 uniquely empowered environmental organizations around the state and online.4 points
Scorecard
What's smart: going small and local and personal, not big. they provide detailed local environmental reports.3 points
PledgeBank--a project of mySociety.org
What's smart: A "new marketing" tool that allows people to pledge online and take action to make a difference-but only if others will also agree to ta...3 points
CivicSpace
What's smart: A free, open-source platform for grassroots organizing and civic activity, incorporates blogging, forums, file storage, and surveys.3 points
The American Institute of Architects
What's smart: Encouraging architects to design inspiring shelters for homeless and disaster victims. DIY online goes offline! How smart.2 points
Covenant House of California
What's smart: Features stories of their clients, included same content in outbound email campaign to drive donations.2 points
Freedom Toaster
What's smart: Open source! The Freedom Toaster is a free vending machine/kiosk that dispenses open source software burned to CD or DVD in locations t...2 points
THE WATERCOOLER
Thoughts on Org 2.0? What's been working for you online these days? What does your organization's marketing look like? Comments welcome!
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Posted June 13, 2009
Vincent Ndeda wrote
I am Vincent Ndeda from asmall village in kenya, within lambwe Valley the den of tse tse fly.
I am looking for Individuals and Organization that can help in the following areas
1. Health & Humanitarian
2. Education & Environment
3. Rehabilitation
4. Development.
My community has no Rehabilitation centre and lack alot that atimes villagers die be4 reaching health centres.
the Rate of girl child drop out of school is very High and now the rate of Hiv/aids is also here with us.
Any individual or group that is or may find it worthy, pls contact me on;
Vincent oyoo ndeda
P.O Box 13, Ogongo Via suba district
40323 kenya
254 723 620901
vinndeda@yahoo.com
Be blessed and hope to hear from you soon.
Posted June 09, 2009
Rebika wrote
Its a great list .I'd like to add our website to this list which was recently launched in 9th Jan '2009, in a short period of time, we have Not-profits joining us from across the globle. Our mission is to connect changemakers for social action, please visit our networking site www.leadtheaction.com-
Features of the webportal includes campaign, social action, raising donations for social cause, blogs, discussion form, live chats, and citizen journalism, posting of jobs.There are no charges for registration.
you can email us at contact@leadtheaction.com
Posted June 08, 2009
Jason King wrote
Thanks, a really useful list. I'm compiling a list of great UK nonprofit web design.
Posted May 28, 2009
Andre Walker wrote
I would love to see an Update of this list so our employees can choose causes for the company to support... Cheers!
Posted May 27, 2009
etan wrote
props! this was a well put together list that deserves recognition itself!
Posted May 27, 2009
lcsaph
I had found #6 Ferrets Unlimited online years ago when I was looking to adopt a little guy. I went to the facility and volunteered for the day and ended up taking my little guy Boomer home. He had been in the care of Ferrets Unlimited for 3 years because of his 'bad habits' but he was a perfect fit for me. I am so happy that this great place is getting recognition on this magnitude! Way to go!
Posted May 19, 2009
janet wrote
I am so glad to see this lens. I hope that it continues to be updated and monitored for accurate content. Its good to see great people organizing to combat ignorance and poverty. Keep up the good work, and thank you for such a complete listing.
Posted April 05, 2009
cumhur wrote
there is no god except God (allah) muhammad,is the Messenger of God (allah).
cemku34@live.nl
Posted March 23, 2009
Avi G wrote
If any non-profits are interested in outsourcing their fundraising campaigns, check out http://www.salesforceisrael.com
Posted February 17, 2009
BlueMtnWildlife wrote...
A great resource for a nonprofit like mine...I'll certainly look into how they engage people and see how to put it to use at Blue Mountain Wildlife.
Posted February 11, 2009
pyngthyngs wrote...
This is a fantastic lens that brings attention to some of the greatest organizations that try to make a change for the better every single day. Five stars.
Posted January 19, 2009
bobby wrote
Great information. I also think www.consource.org is a great non-profit and does a good job with its volunteer portals and viral outreach!
Posted January 12, 2009
Rachel wrote
Is there any plan to update this list? It's been a while, and 2.0 is a little passe at this point. Hmmm...
Posted November 20, 2008
acupuncture-points-chart wrote...
Very helpful list for me personally. Good to see ONE as #10...but I was hoping it would be more in the top 5.
Posted November 10, 2008
Jeffrey Weber wrote
You can check out "Rescue Thailand" at the following url:
http://www.videosmithllc.com/rescuethailand/
To my mind this is one of the best non-profits out there.
Posted August 17, 2008
Jeffrey Weber wrote
You can check out "Rescue Thailand" at the following url:
http://www.videosmithllc.com/rescuethailand/
To my mind this is one of the best non-profits out there.
Posted August 17, 2008
banquetmanager wrote...
A lot of work went into this lens, good job.
So You Want To Be a Banquet Manager
Posted August 04, 2008
reasonablerobinson wrote...
A Bell-Weather of value memes in society. terrific!
Posted July 26, 2008
Duke wrote
A free resource for all the small business owners interested in saving at tax time using Section 179 deductions - there is an excellent new .org site called Section179.Org
Posted July 02, 2008
seanalmond wrote...
Good job with your successful lens. I totally agree with the order of the list. They're great organizations and I've always follow the news about them. To get in touch to the latest news, I stay alert on my mobile phone and I think activists deserve great mobile phones applications to increase productivity in their dynamic work environment, too. Great lens. Thank you.
Posted May 13, 2008
joannareed wrote...
Very Helpful and inspiring lens! Five stars to you!The informations you have shared about 59 smartest orgs online is such a wonderful work. I can easily find the orgs through this. Thank you very much! Please check this lens quick insurance quote I found this lens while looking for the best site which give very quick informations on insurance quotes.This is one great lens too.
Posted April 24, 2008
jilldavis wrote...
Great job. Very inspiring lens. Its very nice to learn a site like this that provide useful information on the various organization for their charity work. This lens would encourage and prepare everyone to help more in many ways they are interested in. Thanks for sharing such a valuable information and 5 stars rated to your lens. Also see some valuable information on mobile phones that can be used in doing such charitable works. It's an interesting site about mobile phones, mobile phone programs and other information. Pls visit us.
Posted April 21, 2008
I allways prefer this type of lens. It gives sound knowledge of org even though it helps in all aspects. I too have a amazing site known as Insurance Software from where everbody should get some flavour of auto insurance.
Posted April 19, 2008
JimmyAnderson67 wrote...
This is a great lens, and you deserve no less than 5 starts. I really would like to thank you for sharing your ideas and tips. Also see Hr Recruitment Software you will find really great info there we well and I hope you like it.
Posted April 17, 2008
jzorro wrote...
Great lens. Congratulations!!!
Print 1040EZ | Medical Alert Calling Systems
Posted April 15, 2008
HwangKO wrote...
I am glad to see the great amount of environmentally-related non-profits represented here. In my husband's business (buying used vending machines)he and I have always insisted on making sure that a certain percentage of each sale goes to the support of such groups. Great lens -- keep up the great work!
Posted April 14, 2008
annhenson12 wrote...
This one is a true great lens! I am giving you five stars for unsefishly sharing your knowledge, ideas and links to the top smartest orgs. This makes me access to them a lot easier. I don't care about those nonsense blurbs underneath. Let me share to you one great lens too Software Testing Software they provide helpful facts and links on software testing. Plus more valuable facts on software development. Check it out!
Posted April 13, 2008
Scuzzy wrote
Great list thanks for sharing
Posted April 05, 2008
natdg wrote...
Some of these organizations are really popular and goes around the world to helping a lot of people/places.
Posted April 02, 2008
kathysuggests wrote...
Great Lens, India is really emerging as one of the most desired outsourcing places in the world. A major part of the world outsource their back office management to India. Now a days even recruitment solutions are outsourced to India. There are now a number of software Recruitment India companies that assist other companies in the process of recruiting employees.
Posted April 02, 2008
Eric wrote
Awesome list and concept, nice work mate.
I run a design firm and we've been looking to get more involved within non-profit orgs, which is why we are opening our doors and offering our help with any new or already progressing NPO's that are in need of a website or anything along those lines please feel free to email me.
We are eager to help and get more involved, so please dont hesitate to contact us, or if you know of an organization that is in need, feel free to point them in our direction.
Eric
BrownBeanStudios.com
edefazio@brownbeanstudios.com
Posted March 28, 2008
maxy wrote...
I love reading you lens, well put together. Hope you have a chance to see my phone card lens!
Posted March 07, 2008
michaelgibbons wrote...
fascinating lens surprised to not see the ONE campaign?
Posted January 29, 2008
blossominc wrote...
Is CivicSpace just selling Drupal to non-profits or those interested in having their cause heard? That's insane considering it's open source and you could implement it for free for much less than $50 a month with access to your own domain/server/and extra features.
Posted December 03, 2007
theawristocrat wrote...
Thanks for sharing such a comprehensive list.
fundraising ideas
Posted October 16, 2007
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Posted September 14, 2007
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Posted September 13, 2007
Bob wrote
What about www.accainc.org?
African Child Care Association, Inc.
Posted July 06, 2007
Mike wrote
Great list. This provides everyone with a wealth of information of what people are doing right to create awareness for their organization and projects. I'd also like to recommend Channel G http://www.channelg.tv
Posted June 21, 2007
THE RESEARCH
a little background on "smartest"
Squidoo, NetSquared and GetActive each recommended nonprofits that were on their radars, charities that were talked about in 2006 and taking a different approach to fundraising, community, and idea spreading. Then we looked at how each of those organizations was interacting with the more compelling web 2.0 tools and principles. These aren't just orgs that throw up a video or a forum or a MySpace page and stop. These are organizations that are busy aligning their missions and models and stories to support the new marketing online.
We asked questions like:
What does the org's website look like?
Does it just ask for donations?
Do they have a way for members to share their stories?
Do they have lenses or Groups on Squidoo?
Do they have MySpace groups?
You Tube videos?
Flickr sets?
Do they value microdonations or only $1000 and more?
Do they run contests or challenges to engage their members?
Do they send out weekly or monthly newsletters?
Do they have RSS feeds?
Are people blogging about the org?
Are they stuck in the land of direct mail, control, and offline fundraising?
Are they optimized for the new cadre of young philanthropists?
TIME TO GET ORG 2.0
yes, you
How do you find new donors, new members, new volunteers?
How much did your organization spend on direct mail last year?
How many galas, walkathons, donor dinners and community events did you sponsor?
All designed to get the word out. All produced, at great expense, to help you tell the world about the great work you're doing.
The new internet changes the rules. Something big is happening online, it's free, it's fast and more and more non-profits are figuring out how to use it.
Surely there isn't room for your organization in this revolution! Or, if there is, no doubt it is going to take you a lot of time, planning and money...
Wrong. The good news is that the community-centric model of Web2.0 is custom-made for organizations that do good work. No ticket required, no technology
needed. The very same tools that have made it easy for a 14-year-old guitar player from Japan to become world famous make it easy for you to reach a larger audience than ever before.
The only problem? You've got to dive in and give them a try.
You won't be the first. But every organization on this list can help show you the way.
P.S. SPECIAL THANKS TO...
and
Fiona Meier
Marnie Webb
Daniel Ben-Horin
Megan Casey
Seth Godin
Jill Gordon
Corey Brown
Anne Reidy
What's here
- THE 59 SMARTEST ORGS ONLINE
- THE WATERCOOLER
- THE RESEARCH
- TIME TO GET ORG 2.0
- P.S. SPECIAL THANKS TO...
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About the Sponsors
59SmartestOrgs
The "59 Smartest Orgs" list is brought to you by Squidoo, GetActive, and Netsquared.
*NetSquared, a project of TechSoup, is dedicated to helping non-profit organizations understand, use and expand the social web. There's a whole new generation of online tools available - tools that make it easier than ever before to collaborate, share information and mobilize support. These tools include blogs, wikis, RSS feeds, podcasting, and more. Some people describe them as "Web 2.0"; we call them the social web, because their power comes from the relationships they enable.
* GetActive provides online relationship management solutions that help organizations easily recruit, engage, and retain constituents. Organizations of all sizes are growing their lists, raising funds, optimizing constituent relationships, and improving campaign results with GetActive.
* Squidoo was founded by bestselling author, noted blogger, speaker and Original Squid, Seth Godin. The stated function of the site is to enable extraordinary people to painlessly engage in philanthropy. Nearly 50% of all Squidoo users donate the royalties they earn from the site to charity. Nonprofit Squidoo partners include the American Heart Association, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, roomtoread.org, and 60 other well-known organizations. To find out more about working with Squidoo, or to sign up for Seth Godin's Org 2.0 seminar on February 12, please email Jill Gordon: jill [at] squidoo.com.
