Facebook and Not for Profits
22 June 2009 at 5:41 pm
The social networking site Facebook is a big hit across all age groups with more than 200 million registered users world wide -so why wouldn’t Not for Profits take advantage of the phenomenon? Well they are!
‘Non-Profits on Facebook’ is already taking off.
There are over 30,000 Not for Profits using Facebook Pages. Through the free downloaded application called Causes more than $5M has been raised since 2006 benefiting over 150,000 different causes.
Facebook says it’s a source for NFPs and other organisations for social good, harnessing the power of Facebook to bring positive change to the world.
So how can it help? Facebook allows NFPs to mobilise communities, organise events, increase fundraising, reduce costs with free online tools, and raise awareness through viral networks. The Causes Application allows an organisation to take donations online.
Founded in February 2004, Facebook was set up to help people communicate more efficiently with their friends, family and co-workers.
Susan Tenby, from TechSoup says Facebook is a critical tool for Not for Profits because it is a great way to connect with other organisations .
Temby says it makes great sense to create a presence on of the top 5 Web sites on the web where people are already regularly visiting rather than expecting users to find you.
She says if an organisation has video content, podcasts, interviews, or documents just languishing, creating a presence on Facebook provides them with an easy way to upload this media, without needing the time or resources required for the updating of a website.
Not for Profits are using Pages, Groups, Events and Applications to raise awareness, mobilise support, share information, fundraise, and plan events.
In coming weeks Facebook says it will be highlighting best practices from smaller Not for Profit pages that do a great job of using Facebook to spread their message. Check it out at www.facebook.com/nonprofits.
For more information about how to register and use Facebook for Not for Profits go to: www.facebook.com/nonprofits (you will need to be a member first)
