Robert Weiner

JANUARY 11, 2009

This list came from my head, my bookmarks, and lists compiled by NTEN and Idealware for their donor management software surveys (and I’m not certain all of these are actually donor databases). It does not include custom systems, of which there are many. Morant Information Systems. Association Management System.

Database 100

Database Donor Kintera Oracle 100

Amy Sample Ward

APRIL 27, 2009

From the forthcoming NTEN book: Managing Technology to Meet Your Mission. Sound advice on how to evaluate which tech projects need to be done the exact same way that a for-profit would and which ones can be done creatively, with a deep dive into what “creatively” means. Internal processes, putting in new phone system.

Newsletter 100

Newsletter Wiki Evaluation NTEN 100

NTEN

JANUARY 12, 2011

Technology is the unintuitive phone system, the frustrating donor management system, the computer that blue screens every time it has more than three windows open. Ask on listservs ( ProgEx , NTEN Affinity Groups , ISF Yahoo group , etc.) Start thinking about success stories that you can share with your organization.

Tech 86

Tech NTC Listserv NTEN 86

NTEN

SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

Does this situation sound familiar? The selection of quality technology systems is a very important piece of managing those relationships, but equally important is how your team uses the technology. That sounds like a lot, but is actually nothing more than identifying, tracking, and making small changes to your daily work.

Process 92

Process Technology Raise Fund 92

NTEN

APRIL 5, 2013

Each year, we at NTEN work hard to make the NTC a more environmentally sustainable event -- this year we even have carbon offsets for travelers! You have great ideas for serving your constituents better, but your nonprofit''s systems and processes are slowing you down. Sound familiar?

Green 63

Green NTC Sponsor Consultant 63

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

SEPTEMBER 19, 2008

That’s an interesting model, and, if the software is decent, sounds like it could be a good option for some organizations. The interesting thing, too, is that their model is that they take a percentage of what you raise (5%.) No setup fees or anything else. But, of course, as with anything, look (a lot) before you leap.

Open Source 120

Open Source Convio Oakland Blackbaud 120

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

NOVEMBER 26, 2007

Kindle, at first blush, sounds pretty cool. Home About Me Subscribe Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology Thoughtful and sometimes snarky perspectives on nonprofit technology Why I won’t be buying a Kindle November 26, 2007 I think I might need a new blog category: why I won’t be buying … First Leopard, now, Kindle.

Open Source 100

Open Source Amazon Sound RSS 100

NTEN

AUGUST 25, 2011

That's why I was a little confounded when we first started using our new e-mail system, and it would spit out a report like this: An overall open rate of almost 33%? That sounds suspiciously like 20% to me. Here at NTEN, we find it valuable to keep track of both numbers. That makes my day. I need to go tell it on the mount.

Rate 61

Rate Open Benchmark Mail 61

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

DECEMBER 10, 2007

It all sounds like LinkedIn wants to pull all of those people who have been migrating to Facebook back into their fold, with the idea that LinkedIn is serious about business. Also, they have a partnership with Business Week – so you can see how you are connected to companies and indivuals covered by clicking on links.

Linkedin 100

Linkedin Myspace Open Source RSS 100

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

MAY 20, 2008

Sounds pretty interesting, but hold on a second. Google says: “Google Health aims to solve an urgent need that dovetails with our overall mission of organizing patient information and making it accessible and useful. Through our health offering, our users will be empowered to collect, store, and manage their own medical records online.&#

Google 100

Google Open Source RSS API 100

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

APRIL 23, 2007

They saved some in cost from a proprietary PBX system – but then they had to spend more on support and the like – it was a wash cost wise. But what they gained, and it sounds like he’s not willing to give it up – is flexibility. It takes more, because you own your own system.

Free 100

Free Open Source Tech Technorati 100

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

MARCH 29, 2007

It works pretty well (at this moment, I’m now downloading and installing the base system.) The one snag I hit (not unusual) is that originally, I was using the wireless cards for networking, but the basic Debian system didn’t recognize them. That’s easier than it sounds.

Ubuntu 100

Ubuntu Laptop Open Source NTC 100

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

JUNE 1, 2007

That sounded like good advice, since it might take me quite a while to get to step 1. (If, I did a webinar for NTEN on it – ReadyTalk worked just fine. I had a brief conversation by email with Cory Doctorow , a science fiction author who is also a copyleft activist, who releases everything he writes with a CC license.

Open Source 100

Open Source Ubuntu Laptop Audio 100

NTEN

NOVEMBER 11, 2010

While it meant that Mecklenburg County would be able to balance its books, it also meant that our library system, although it has consistently grown its usage and visitors, would now be forced to shrink. The Library system was now charged with informing our patrons [and the taxpaying public] how and why this was happening. .

Charlotte 89

Charlotte Library Social Media Communication 89

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

JUNE 19, 2008

From their website: Some of the features that distinguish Hampshire from more traditional liberal arts colleges include student-designed academic concentrations; an active, collaborative, inquiry-based pedagogy; an interdisciplinary curriculum; and a narrative evaluation system. Sounds a lot like Edupunk, doesn’t it?

Nptech 100

Nptech Unconference Open Source Model 100

Connection Cafe

OCTOBER 31, 2013

Just when you thought Halloween was the only time you got SPOOKED, you take a look at the data in your CRM system and realize you might be living in a data nightmare! As a data geek, that sounds like one invite I would not RSVP “no” to! Data health woes. Duplicates. Outdated constituent information.

Data 26

Data Metrics Mail Measure 26

NTEN

JANUARY 22, 2009

This method is great for its ease of use and immediacy but will not allow you to add any sound effects, music, or cut in other voices and input. As you get comfortable editing content and producing the audio files, you can embellish the podcast with sound effects, music, and additional guests.

Podcast 59

Podcast Audio Music Files 59

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

OCTOBER 15, 2007

Underneath it all, there's probably a fear of sounding stupid. Until recently, the main way to deal with this was cumbersome import and export of data from one system to another. A year ago, most systems were walled gardens, closed proprietary systems). I tend to do the latter if I'm jet lagged.

Convio 50

Convio Open API Kintera 50

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

MARCH 9, 2008

Of course with my mac, I opened up the system preferences, checked a button, and, voila! I have outstanding issues or decisions to make with my kernel not seeing all the memory I’ve given it (therefore requiring a recompile, which I have been postponing for weeks) sound, a webcam, a scanner, and accounting software.

Open Source 111

Open Source Ubuntu Music Course 111

NTEN

OCTOBER 28, 2009

Making your data public and accessible has numerous benefits for the organization, but data transparency itself matters because it: facilitates accountability, helps people make decisions, encourages innovation, and keeps systems everywhere running smoothly (from markets to medicines). Why make your data portable? Get help designing an API.

Data 82

Data API Mashup Contest 82

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

APRIL 10, 2007

Our morning panel went well despite a few technical glitches with the sound system. Note to self: write on AV set up that sound is needed along with the projector) We improvised the order and covered everything, including this demo of making a video blog post and uploading it to Blip.TV. We modeled that in our demonstration.

NTC 50

NTC Video Camera Yahoo 50

NTEN

SEPTEMBER 13, 2010

When a potential donor sends a text message to this number, however, your nifty automated system would forward this message directly to your staff, or if you can afford it, to a call center. You can ask for donations using exactly the same system that you ask for money on your web site: via a big red “Donate Now” button.

Phone 94

Phone Mobile Method Haiti 94

NTEN

SEPTEMBER 15, 2010

In recognition of the emerging tools and the tremendous need for information regarding transparency and effectiveness, we have recently undertaken efforts to include these measures in our rating system. Tags: NPTech NTEN transparency Fundraising. Furthermore, provided our fundraising efforts are successful (!), BRONX POL 'FE$$ES UP.”

Fundraising 73

Fundraising Charity Philadelphia New York 73

NTEN

AUGUST 31, 2010

Freedom Fone leverages audio as a mobile function using IVR, a technology that allows a system to detect voice and keyboard input. Before the project, neither station had an existing IVR system in place and the primary feedback loop with listeners was through written letters. . Photo: Bart Sullivan . What worked well (and why).

Press 49

Press Ghana Tanzania Zimbabwe 49

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

MARCH 6, 2015

I just returned from my 15 consecutive Nonprofit Technology Conference hosted by NTEN! While this may sound a little prescriptive, it is based on health research and simple to put into practice. Finally, the IT is the system and design thinking. Photo by Jim Nickerson.

Reflection 50

Reflection Work Exercise Culture 50

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

MARCH 20, 2008

Sounds like MPower plans to get a lot more open as time goes on. Wish I would have had more time to visit in person at the conference, but I look forward to reading your NTC follow up posts. 4 Shawn Towey 03.24.08 at 2:31 pm If you think Penguins are so cute, take a look at this: [link] 5 Thomas 03.24.08 So I am a little less skeptical.

NTC 111

NTC News Open Source Convio 111

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

MARCH 19, 2007

You’ll be great with this and it sounds like it will feed your soul in some new and better ways. I want to smell the sweat of working for change in our society, from the inside out. { 3 comments… read them below or add one } 1 Michele 03.19.07 at 5:25 pm Good luck, Michelle. 2 Michelle Murrain 03.19.07 at 5:45 pm Thanks, Michele.

Consultant 100

Consultant Life Technology Open Source 100

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

MARCH 13, 2007

Sounds like a reasonable idea. IRC has always seemed to me to be one of the best ways to do that, but IRC is, well, passé these days, it seems. But why not add another channel to the back channel happenings, for instance, at NTC ? But why don’t I sign up for a Twitter account, and, well, Twitter?

Channel 100

Channel Twitter Data Open Source 100

Tech Soup

MAY 23, 2014

The case went through the European court system and he won the case. After Jason Shim won the 2014 NTEN Award in March, I thought I’d have a look to see why he got the award. Image five: NTEN. A search of his name brought up an auction notice of his repossessed home from 16 years ago. Very sophisticated for a student team.

News 54

News Technology Hunger Europe 54

Have Fun - Do Good

OCTOBER 17, 2008

Need headphones to monitor sound. About $270 on Amazon.com. Built-in mike MicroTrack 2 by M-Audio. About $270 on Amazon. Comes with a microphone, or you can buy a better quality one. Electro-Voice Microphone 635A. Use with MicroTrak. 120 on Amazon Headphones. You can usually use any kind of headphones (Walkman, iPod, etc.).

Skype 40

Skype Resource Internet Tools 40

NTEN

APRIL 24, 2012

As long as spare parts are in stock and locals know how to maintain and repair the systems, we can keep safe water flowing for a very long time.) And so—even though it sounded a bit over-the-top to observers around us—we went looking for a developer with a sense of adventure and a proven track record for follow-through.

International 60

International Project Org Technology 60

NTEN

JUNE 9, 2011

Many community systems send an automatic response when a user joins. As silly as this sound, these messages are very effective at fostering community participation. Many systems I have used make direct connections difficult, which flies in the face of the reason most people join in the first place: to find peers. Welcome Emails.

email 87

email Community Build Online 87

NTEN

SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

As silly as it sounds, people like to receive a personal invitation. In addition to the personal touch provided with the customizable fundraising pages, the ease of using the system also allows participants to be creative with their fundraising efforts. First and foremost, they need to be asked!

Personal 70

Personal Experiment Online Fundraising 70

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

OCTOBER 10, 2006

I have long had a pet peeve about the notion that we should not run professional, solid, sustainable ‘enterprises’ with good processes, great tools, sound management, and superior vision – organizations that make a difference MUST be that, in my view or they will simply not be successful or efective in the end.

Open Source 100

Open Source Software Profit Process 100

NTEN

SEPTEMBER 10, 2010

Are potential clients dropping out of the intake system before you can serve them? And that sounds like a great relationship to me. . That's where you start. What problems do you need to solve at your organization? Are you having trouble getting people to read your emails? Is it difficult to get your first time donors to give again?

Data 82

Data San Francisco Problem Gift 82

Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media

AUGUST 24, 2007

Here's a nice collection of links from the NTEN blog with good footnotes that includes a pointer to the ChicagoTechnology Cooperative , a group comprised of consultants, technicians, developers, and designers, with extensive experience serving the unique needs of nonprofit and community-based organizations.

Summary 50

Summary Nptech Green Tag 50

3rd Sector Labs

NOVEMBER 13, 2014

So, in terms of your data – especially your donor data – following the daisy chain paradigm means that you manage your data by copying and pasting data updates from one database to the next, from the most recently updated to the oldest, in order to keep your donor data stored and current in multiple systems. Assess your systems.

Data 160

Data Management Synchronous Database 160