Learning from Weblogs: Nonprofits Online
By: Tom Watson, 04/08/04

"Nonprofits are often inherently conservative (and I don't mean politically) in their communications strategies. There is good reason for this: they must report to their boards, they must answer to the government for their nonprofit status, and they must satisfy donors, who more often than not, do not reward a "shoot from the hip" style of communications. And while an open Weblog may not be the right tool for every nonprofit, there are a few good lessons nonprofits can take from the growing phenomenon.
1. Internet users want a voice…more.
http://www.onphilanthropy.com/tren_comm/tc2004-04-08.html

2. Closed sites leave money on the table…more.
http://www.onphilanthropy.com/tren_comm/tc2004-04-08.html

3. Allow personality…more.
http://www.onphilanthropy.com/tren_comm/tc2004-04-08.html

4. Finally, Weblogs are fun - they open up a world of viewpoints and information you might not ordinarily find. If you're not already reading them, wade in. Services like Blogdex (http://blogdex.net/) and Kinja (http://www.kinja.com/) are good places to start. Have a look around and see if Weblogs don't help make your own nonprofit's site more of a two-way street."