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The social networking for social good space continues to heat up with Ammado.com and a new NetCommunity feature from Blackbaud.
Is it a coincidence that social good and social media share first names? It has always seemed that the social web was purpose built to benefit humanity. It’s no surprise that so many entrepreneurs are leveraging these tools to raise funds and awareness for nonprofits.
From Inquirer.net: A Facebook-like service for non-profit and non-government organizations (NGOs) showed local organizations how social networks can be used as effective means to raise funds and attract potential donors worldwide, an executive said.
“Social network services are social engagement tools,” said Joeri Gianotten, Ammado.com director for Asia Pacific who was in Manila to discuss about his company during Microsoft NGO Day, where hundreds of local NGOs were invited.
Social networks like Change.org or Ammado.com are now providing non-profit and NGOs a virtual platform to connect to a bigger community of donors, Gianotten said.
Similar to how social network Facebook has allowed people to connect to other people, social networks like Ammado are even becoming effective tools for smaller NGOs to manage volunteers,” added Gianotten.
He cited the story of an Indian non-government organization that was able to connect to a United States-based non-profit organization that was donating toys to children through Ammado. Since the Indian organization could not afford such a large shipment, the US organization eventually led a campaign to get donors to finance the shipment of the toys to the Indian organization.
Gianotten also shared the story of a small Filipino organization based in Ormoc that used social networking to get donations from people worldwide to fund livelihood projects for locals.
Ammado.com was founded by serial entrepreneur Peter Conlon and Anna Kupka to connect NGOs to global private or institutional donors, according to the executive. While the concept was born in 2005, Ammado.com only came out of a closed beta in June this year.
“Now small organizations can easily reach out to the world,” Gianotten said.
Ammado.com currently provides free services to NGOs and non-profit organizations. They only need to sign up and create their unique profile, similar to creating a profile in Facebook or other social networking sites. There are over 2,000 NGOs and non-profit organization members from over 100 countries, Gianotten said.
Gianotten said that corporations, however, have to register and pay to join the social network. Essentially, fees collected from corporations go to the maintenance and operations of the social network, he added.
Turner Broadcasting was among its first corporate client, he said.
Ammado.com will soon launch a so-called “donation circle,” which is a “giving platform” for members of the social network. Donations from this giving platform will go to the Ammado Foundation.
In related news:
From TMCNet.com: Blackbaud today unveiled a new release of Blackbaud NetCommunity, saying it includes “major enhancements in both function and features.”
Company officials cite “improved site design features to enhanced Web accessibility and a native social networking feature called ‘Wave,’ ”all designed to provide nonprofits with ways to engage constituents online.
The vendor has also unveiled a new set of NetCommunity Open Platform APIs for creating custom parts, integrated Web services and custom transactions.
“With Wave, Blackbaud has introduced a new way to use social networking – both within the application and by integrating to social network services like Facebook – which will add to the viral nature of our work,” said Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Director of Information Technology Michael Sola.
Marc Chardon, Blackbaud’s chief executive officer, said since it was introduced in 2004, more than 600 nonprofits have selected NetCommunity. “Integration with The Raiser’s Edge lets nonprofits customize Web visitors’ online experience while capturing key information in their CRM systems,” he said.
Wave, Blackbaud NetCommunity’s new social networking feature, helps nonprofits create mission-specific online communities that also integrate with popular social networking sites like Facebook.
Additional enhancements include content approval, “allowing workflow approval processes for content publishing and versioning,” company officials say, as well as eCards allowing Web site visitors to send electronic cards for free or for a donation.
3 responses so far ↓
1 Jesse Luna // Aug 2, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I’m glad to see that Ammado is working with the UN on projects. I’m a big believer in the UN and its global programs. Its Millennium Development Goals should be a part of any global good organization.
2 Cause-Specific Websites: The Flood Gates are Open | Causecast.org | SocialVibe.com | Ammado.com | Machete - The Blog // Oct 1, 2008 at 1:46 pm
[...] and effective social networking sites that fall into this category (Max Gladwell has reviewed several of them)…here’s a brief listing: • Idealist • YourCause • Changents • Change.org [...]
3 Unpaid Employee // Dec 23, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Peter Conlon’s claim to be a Santa Clause has come as a surprise to those of us from his other company, X.s.i.l., who have not been paid since September 2008 and have not received payment for holidays or notice period. Also, the landlord is owed 1 million euro. His peculiar definition of “charity” is particularly intriguing at Christmas time.
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