Orion Grassroots Network

Resources Blog

New Grassroots Jobsource Poster available for download

posted Mar 4, 2010

Please click here to download, print, and display the latest poster of new internships and jobs available via the Grassroots Jobsource: 310GrassrootsJobsourcePoster.pdf

Diplaying these wherever students or jobseekers gather, including coffee shops and college common areas, will help both the 'seekers' and 'listers' a lot. Thanks!

Go here to view the Grassroots Jobsource main page.

Make your own iPhone app

posted Feb 16, 2010

Until recently it was super expensive to build your own iPhone app, but not anymore. An app is a little widget that you can charge people to download to their iPhones that will help them locate nearby farmers markets, find out about features of rivers, etc. Whatever your mission is, you can create an app for much cheaper using appmakr - they charge $250-$500 but have a 15% nonprofit discount (you have to ask for it!). You will probably want to hire a developer to customize it, especially if you want to charge for it. In that case, choose AppMakrs' more expensive developer account (and add Apple's $99 developer license) so it's got your organization's name as the author in the App Store, too..

In any case, this seems like something that'd be easy to raise money for from a supportive foundation that wants you to reach new people with your mission.

Learn more here by taking their tour. Member group Green Map System just used it to build its own new app and they're pleased with the outcome - helps folks find green features of the towns they're in, from parks to farmers markets. Watch their short video about it here and . if you want to learn more about how they did it.

UPDATE: Wendy at Green Map emailed me to say that appmakr is celebrating their app's launch with a special promo between now and the end of Feb 2010: half off! Collect the coupon code here.

Women & Worldchanging: marketing your mission to the fairer sex

posted Feb 5, 2010

Audio of our conference call with Lisa Witter, co-author of "The She Spot" is now available here (mp3). Great conversation! Why focus your communications on women? Consider:

• women vote & volunteer more often than men (and so are more politically active)
• women control more than half of society's wealth
• nearly all issues are also women's issues
• broadening marketing efforts to connect strongly with women as well as men can be very successful

"The She Spot: Why Women are the Market for Changing the World and How to Reach Them" is a guide that offers organizations key recommendations for leveraging the untapped power of women for positive change through fundraising, advocacy and the ballot box.

See also the authors' great blog, www.shespotter.com which follows developing trends in this field and discusses the book at greater depth.

New software guide for nonprofits

posted Jan 28, 2010

What types of software should your nonprofit be using? It’s hard to even know what exists, let alone what is best for you. Through a friendly, easy-reference format, Idealware’s 2010 Field Guide to Software for Nonprofits: Fundraising, Communications and Outreach can help you pinpoint the types of software that can increase your organization’s effectiveness and efficiency. And it de-mystifies the possible options through user-friendly summaries based on your needs and technical maturity.

Idealware is a nonprofit provider of Consumer-Reports-style reviews and articles about software of interest to nonprofits. The book is an 84-page paperback book available for $19.95, here.

Reuse Resources

posted Jan 12, 2010

Here are two sites that help businesses and nonprofits exchange used goods, from tables to computers: http://www.throwplace.com & http://www.ireuse.com. They are cyber-Salvation Army stores, where you can donate or receive items useful for powering your mission.

How mapping can help your nonprofit

posted Dec 23, 2009

New in the OGN forum: using the power of maps to help your mission:

It's a hot topic these days - but how does mapping connect to organizational resource efficiency? Mapping can help your organization:

*Understand where to focus resources & efforts for maximum effect *Predict where need for your services will be located in the future *Communicate your work’s impact, to board members and the public *Support more informed decision-making

Full post here.

Environmental Justice Studies Archive

posted Dec 15, 2009

Each day nonprofits worldwide produce insightful and valuable research on complex social issues, from aging to welfare. IssueLab makes it easy to locate, access, and engage with this extensive and diverse body of knowledge, and many of us will be interested in their special collection on Environmental Justice: http://ej.issuelab.org/research

Fundraising event promo package

posted Dec 8, 2009

Let It Be Known Public Relations, which offers 30% off to Orion Grassroots Network members & specializes in nonprofit clients, is offering a three-month package to members, for nonprofits looking to promote a fundraising event or project. Let It Be Known Public Relations will provide public relations services for the low price of $1,650 per month (or just $4,950 for three months.) Let It Be Known Public Relations can help your group gain increased media exposure, to increase name recognition and exposure for causes, fundraising efforts, and more. LIBK is available on full-time or project-by-project basis to groups anywhere.

Nonprofit references are available upon request. Contact:

617-872-1875 (ask for John) .

Fellowships to advance your work

posted Dec 3, 2009

Two fellowships that cultivate environmental leaders of tomorrow:

Environmental Leadership Program fellowships target emerging environmental and social change practitioners eager to connect their specialized work to larger environmental and social concerns. The Fellowship Program offers an intensive leadership and skill training, regional networking opportunities, and time for personal and professional reflection. Consisting of three retreats and additional optional trainings, our curriculum helps emerging leaders hone their leadership styles, improve their strategic communications, and strengthen their outreach to diverse constituencies.

Applications for ELP's Regional Fellowship Programs are now OPEN. The application deadlines have been updated as follows: • New England Regional Network: February 1, 2010 Eastern Regional Network June 1, 2010

More here.

2010 Switzer Fellowships

Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 Switzer Fellowships for people in New England and California.

The Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation identifies and nurtures environmental leaders who have the ability and determination to make a significant impact, and supports initiatives that will have direct and measurable results to improve environmental quality. Applicants should follow the link below to review the Fellowship guidelines and to find the link to the online application. Applications for the New England region are due FEBRUARY 1, 2010.

See their FAQs to see if you or someone you know is eligible for this prestigious fellowship. More on their application process: http://www.switzernetwork.org/fellowship-guidelines.html

Grassroots Organizing 101

posted Nov 24, 2009

The Midwest Academy is a national training institute committed to advancing the struggle for social, economic, and racial justice. It's recognized as one of the key training programs for grassroots organizers in the US. If you can't make a training session, listen to our conversation with their lead trainer, Steve Max, filed under June 13, 2008, for the 101 on grassroots organizing.

Training session info here. They also publish 'the bible' on grassroots organizing, Organizing for Social Change which is highly recommended.

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