Join us for the San Francisco Net Tuesday on September 9:
Involver: How Nonprofits Can Create Video Campaigns for Social Networks.
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NetSquared enables social benefit organizations to leverage the tools of the social web.
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Grassroots.org Toolbox
Voting Summary (Elevator Pitch):
The Grassroots.org Toolbox will empower nonprofit organizations by granting free access to a suite of fully configured & hosted online tools, including content management, online event registration software, and CRM.
Supporting organization:
Grassroots.org
URL:
http://www.grassroots.org
City:
Bethesda
State/Region:
MD
Country:
USA
Give and Take: Describe your project's top three needs
Type of expertise needed:
Other
Above all else, we need financial support to help lay the foundation for the Toolbox’s ultimate success.
We know what technology tools our grassroots nonprofit clients need. We know how to configure those tools, we know how to build infrastructure to deploy those tools on a massive scale, and we have partners who can help us host those tools. We even know how to train and support those tools. What we need is the initial support to help us turn this knowledge into action.
Our ultimate goal is to empower 10,000 nonprofit organizations with the $10,000 worth of services through the free technology in the Grassroots.org Toolbox. Your seed funding will help make this is possible. Help us help us others grow.
Type of expertise needed:
Technical Expertise We need development assistance specifically for:
- The integration of a client intake system with a CRM.
- The development of a custom provisioning system to automate Toolbox deployment.
- Additional tools and resources. Have a tool that you'd like to make available to nonprofits for free? Think it meets a demonstrated need among grassroots organizations? Work with us to make it happen!
Type of expertise needed:
Marketing/Media Expertise We currently offer a complete guide to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) available at seo.grassroots.org. Alongside this service, we also offer free telephone consulting, made possible through in-kind donations from an SEO consulting firm.
We'd love to expand the SEO project to cover other aspects of internet marketing for nonprofits (how to use blogs, leverage social networking sites or bookmarking sites, use new media, etc to further a nonprofit organization's mission). Assistance could be in the form of expert articles or guides, telephone or online consulting, or something entirely different. Surprise us.
Project Vision Statement & Potential Social Impact:
The Internet has changed dramatically in the past five years. It is now driven more by user content, fueled by conversation. Even more exciting, new online tools have lowered the barrier for participation in this exciting environment. Entry-level knowledge of word processing is all that is required to maintain a dynamic website using a content management system; basic Internet skills enable anyone to participate in global discussion via online forums; and a non-techie and mobilize vast constituencies with the click of a button using constituent relationship management software.
Unfortunately, installing and configuring these tools is still far from user-friendly. These technological hurdles act as a barrier to entry for the overwhelming majority of small and medium-sized nonprofits and community groups. The resulting digital divide between organizations that have the resources to deploy, manage, and leverage these technologies and those that do not limits the scope of the overall internet conversation.
Grassroots.org will provide nonprofit organizations everywhere in the world with the power and flexibility of state-of-the-art tools, installed and configured for free. Organizations will receive hosted, managed toolboxes with in-demand open source applications including groupware, mailing lists, discussion forums, searchable content publishing and management (via the Drupal CMS), blogging, and integration with Democracy In Action's Salsa platform for constituent relationship management and e-advocacy. Grassroots.org will also develop training and support resources designed to allow even the most non-technical end-user to manage a sophisticated internet presence.
The internet is a conversation. How would that conversation change if every nonprofit and community group had a strengthened voice, at no cost? It’s time we find out!
Sustainability (financial) model:
Grassroots.org relies upon for profit and nonprofit partnerships for all of our projects. The costs of maintaining this project will be kept low thanks to the following factors:
- The ongoing commitment and in-kind donations of the Chicago Technology Cooperative and Main.org (both experienced in large-scale Drupal hosting and consulting for nonprofits),
- The support of two VISTAs from the national CTC VISTA Program,
- Utilization of Salesforce to manage client needs,
- Well thought out substantial online client support, and
- The agreement with Democracy In Action will ensure maintenance and support for clients requiring integration with the Salsa e-advocacy and CRM platform.
We also anticipate a significant demand for paid customizations beyond the functionality offered for free; our partnership with the Chicago Technology Cooperative will allow us to address these on a case-by-case basis and at a reduced rate, with 20% of the revenue reserved for project costs.
Developing the project is where the majority of the cost will be incurred.
Technology Vision:
Many of the tools we are integrating into the Grassroots.org Toolbox are open source, and thus have been freely downloadable for years. However, “Free” though they may be, these tools cost thousands of dollars to install, learn, configure and support. In short, these tools may have no list price, but they are far from free to implement. The result? They're not empowering as many nonprofits as they could be.
- The Toolbox will automatically:
- provision and install these technology tools,
- configure them correctly for immediate use,
- host them permanently,
- -provide comprehensive training and support resources (both in traditional text and in new media, such as screencasts and training videos)
All for free.
To achieve this, we'll build an integrated user interface to manage Toolbox applications and services, under which we'll develop a flexible and scalable automatic provisioning system. We are assigning multiple staff members to develop exhaustive training and support materials in response to the needs of incoming clients and creating a publicly-available end-user guide for each of the tools we offer. The goal is the technological empowerment of nonprofit organizations everywhere.
Potential obstacles:
Our experience suggests that the major obstacle to deploying any technology tool for low-budget nonprofits is support.
- We will manage the support for each user by tracking all new client requests and client communications through Salesforce.
- We will develop significant support and training resources including screencasts, text guides, knowledge bases and case studies aimed at new users, which will also be made available to the open source community at large.
- We will encourage communication between Toolbox users and the Drupal development community through online forums and chats (video chat application donated by Userplane).
Resource Needs:
Existing partnerships supplement our in-house technology expertise, and provide us with dedicated, managed hosting environments and support infrastructure.
Grassroots.org has the following needs for this project:
- Technical expertise from Drupal & Salesforce developers,
- Technical expertise setting up online support,
- Financial resources for Grassroots.org’s in house development and support costs.
Key Milestones:
- Infrastructure development, testing, alpha…30 days
- Continued infrastructure testing, private beta, develop training materials…30 days
- Limited beta launch, intensive training / support resource development 30 days
A detailed project plan is available upon request.
Project Summary:
The internet is moving rapidly towards a model of collaborative conversation that leaves static web pages obsolete. Emerging open source technologies are rapidly redefining the cutting edge, and organizations are able to leverage these technologies to engage constituents, partners, and donors.
So why doesn't every nonprofit, everywhere in the world, have the e-advocacy capacity of Moveon.org? What if every community had the social networking tools of the Omidyar Network, or the community publishing abilities of Wikipedia?
The tools already exist (some were used to build this website). However, they're also difficult to configure, customize, and maintain...creating an unfortunate barrier to entry.
Grassroots.org is partnering with groups such as Democracy In Action, MAIN.org, Web Targeted, StrongTech and the Chicago Technology Cooperative to host, configure, and maintain these tools for nonprofit organizations and communities everywhere in the world, for free. We'll include content management, discussion forums, e-advocacy, CRM, event registrations, and even free SEO consulting, using integrated tools based on Drupal, the DIA's Salsa platform, and Egroupware. We'll also offer the free training and support crucial to empowering nonprofits online.
The internet is a conversation; it's time the nonprofit community is heard.
Comments
My experience with
My experience with grassroots.org was very positive. They made it very easy to get my website set up, and always answered my emails promptly. I think it is a wonderful organization providing much needed practical assistance to non-profits in the US and Canada.
Lack of service
I'm sorry, but I'm very disillusioned with this organization. Starting way back last year, I tried to get hosting services for a nonprofit I represent, submitted the paperwork, and waited. Finally I heard from someone who said he had just taken over, and that they would get back to me soon. I'm still waiting, and all of my very polite emails are ignored. In the meantime I have a website that's ready to go, and no money to work with. I'm sure you can understand that I find it a little jarring to see all these kudos, and to receive an email asking for my support in this, when my own experience has been so frustrating. I really want to support this group, but it would be nice to receive at least the courtesy of a response.
disillusioned
I agree with your comments. I used to receive newsletters and they have not had one in a few months now. Not only that, the Grassroots homepage does not seem to get updated at all
prestidigitation!
I hope I don't steal Angela's glory in replying here. Part of the problem with undertaking some big projects behind the scenes is that they are...well, behind the scenes! The website is currently undergoing a major transition to a new CMS system. Yes, folks! We'll eat our own dogfood and put our website on some of the same tools we will be offering the nonprofit community! So expect to see some major changes there in the next few weeks.
I am really glad that you actually read our newsletter when we sent it out monthly. However, I am sad to say that this puts you in the minority. We are trying to strike a balance between keeping people informed while at the same time not annoying them with email. So, we're changing the format of the newsletter as well.
In summary, these are really exciting times for Grassroots.org, at least for those of us privileged enough to sit in the back room and decide how to better serve our community. Angela is doing a fantastic job trying to focus our mission and realign some of our media based on the needs of our community.
Of course, until we hear from the community, we can only guess about what works and what doesn't. We can put out new stuff and stop old stuff based on educated guesses, but we can better serve you when you tell us what you want! If you think the newsletter is a great resource, then by all means let us know! Tell us how we can improve it. Tell us what you'd like to see on the website. Our contact information is on the website.
Keep an eye out for some new things happening!
mickey
Dear Disillusioned
Mickey, of course, did a superb job of explaining where we are at. Let me add...
The most exciting service we have just launched is Nonprofit SEO. We are providing easy to understand info for nonprofits to improve their search rankings. We have also developed an online forum monitored by professional SEO consultants. And most importantly, we are providing 8 hours per month of free SEO phone consultations. Check out seo.grassroots.org.
And, there is no need to post as "anonymous". We are truly a nice group of folks welcoming of critique. As Mickey said, if you have a suggestion to help us better serve the nonprofit community, by all means, let us know.
My email address is on the Grassroots.org Team page. You are always welcome to contact me directly. http://www.grassroots.org/cs/root/about/grassroots_team
Angela Siefer
Executive Director
Grassroots.org
Response to Grassroots Service
Grassroots.org has undergone many changes in the past 9 months. They are exciting and at the same time effect processes. We hold technology aloft as this great tool but at the same time it can fail us. With a bit of conversation I'm sure we can figure out your particular situation. I apologize to "anonymous" for any frustration she/he has experienced. We specifically chose to post all staff email addresses to our staff page to ensure access to the GR staff. Here is the staff page - take your pick! http://www.grassroots.org/cs/root/about/grassroots_team
Angela Siefer
Executive Director
Grassroots.org
Thanks for the response
I'm sorry that I jumped the gun and chose a public forum to air my problems, but I was at the point where I had received no response after numerous tries on your Contact page, plus a few other emails with a staff members, the last in December. I appreciate the fact that you have gone through a recent transition, and that we may have simply fallen through the cracks. After I get back from an appointment this afternoon, I'll contact you to discuss the issue. I really do wish you well, because what you offer is so badly needed by the nonprofit community.
of course I'm biased
Of course, I am biased. I know the people involved, and know their commitment and talent. Plus they selected me as an advisor for the toolkit. Don't let that bias you against them!
I'm tremendously impressed with the directions Grassroots.org has taken in the last 9 months. Best of luck!
President, AFCN
Co-Founder, Chicago Digital Access Alliance
Blogger, http://wrythings.net
Toolbox Mashup?
How about the most basic need?
A free fax-to-email service? There are a lot of smaller organizations that aren't lucky enough to have a store-front with a physical address, centralized telephone number or fax. With the advent of such services like Grandcentral.com and privatephone.com, I'm surprised there aren't more communication tools available, for free, to smaller nonprofits. Since, afterall, communication (web aside) is key.