Orion Grassroots Network

Resources Blog

Need answers? The Radical Reference Librarians can help

posted Mar 30, 2010

The Radical Reference Librarians answer questions from activists & journalists on activism topics. Very cool resource! http://radicalreference.info

Be The News: how to talk to the media

posted Mar 24, 2010

Our conference call with Aric Caplan of Caplan Communications covered how to talk to reporters and give a great interview. Full audio of the conversation is posted here under March 24, 2010.

Here are two documents to download with his tips for interviews and handy transition phrases that can keep an interview going smoothly and maybe even get you out of a jam. Tips: InterviewTips101CAPLAN.pdf Bridges: InterviewingBidges201Caplan.pdf

New Farmer Training Programs

posted Mar 17, 2010

The USDA's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is disbursing $17 million in grants to 29 new farmer training programs around the US, and a number of Orion's members and friends are on the list! Here's just a few which are training the next generation of sustainable farmers:

• Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings Program
• The Farm School
• Michigan State University Organic Farmer Training Program
• The Greenhorns
• Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
• Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association

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.

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) .

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