Orion Grassroots Network

Resources Blog: Tools and Tips

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.

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

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.

New Service: discounted PR help

posted Oct 26, 2009

Let It Be Known Public Relations which specializes in nonprofit clients is offering 30% off its services for Orion Grassroots Network members. John can help your group gain increased media exposure to increase name recognition and exposure for causes, fundraising efforts, and more. He's available on full-time or project-by-project basis to groups anywhere. Nonprofit references are available upon request. Services offered:

• Writing press materials including press releases, calendar listings, media pitches, Web site content and bylined articles • Building detailed and targeted media lists • Pitching story ideas to the media and setting up interviews • Pre-interview media training and monitoring of phone and in-person interviews • Speaking opportunity research • Gathering hard copies/tapes of all media placements

Contact: 617-872-1875 (ask for John) or ., and ensure that you mention Orion to get the 30% off.

Newsletter with resources for Canadian nonprofits

posted Oct 6, 2009

The Sustainability Network Digest is a free monthly email that provides resources and information pertinent to Canadian environmental nonprofits on building organizational capacity. It is currently offered in Ontario, Prairie, Atlantic and Alberta editions. Each announces upcoming events, offers useful articles and resources and contains regional opportunities for nonprofit management training. You can sign up for any or all regional editions of the digest here.

Conservation Campaign Toolkit

posted Sep 30, 2009

New Network member The Conservation Campaign helps groups mobilize public support to win ballot measures and legislation that creates more public funds to protect land and water resources. They provide leadership, expertise, and resources, like their Toolkit, which has checklists, guides, case studies, and more to help you get important conservation initiatives on the ballot.

Nonprofit management webinars: save 30% on sessions via Orion

posted Sep 22, 2009

The Society for Nonprofit Organizations has announced its fall webinar lineup, here. They are solid webinars with top experts, and cost $99 for non-SNPO members, but the Network is sponsoring them this Fall so you can enjoy them for just $69, a 30% savings. Topics include:

• 10/7 Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times, with Kim Klein, Klein & Roth Consulting
• 10/28 Marketing & PR on a Shoestring, with Hannah Brazee Gregory, Shoestring Creative Group
• 11/18 Surviving the Meltdown without Having One, with Katya Andresen, Network for Good
• 12/2 Mobilizing Volunteers in the Face of Budget Cuts, with Susan Ellis, President, Energize Inc.

Use the links above to register for the 30% savings. The first one with grassroots fundraising guru Kim Klein may be the key one, but all are solid. Kim founded Grassroots Fundraising Journal, which Network members can subscribe to for $30 via OGN, a 25-50% savings: for more info and to subscribe, go here.

Is It Worth It? An ROI Calculator for Social Network Campaigns

posted May 27, 2009

Frogloop has an interesting and useful tool for helping you figure out if social networking campaigns to advance your mission pencil out, their ROI Calculator for Social Network Campaigns. Use it to calculate an estimate of cost and return on investment for the recruitment and fundraising efforts of your staff in social networking sites like Facebook. It works like an online mortgage calculator, where you enter estimates and assumptions and you get a result automatically.

How to start a land trust?

posted May 18, 2009

So there's a tract of land in your town that is for sale. You don't want it to be developed. What to do? Given the time and effort it takes to run a land trust and the long-term commitment needed to protect the conserved land in perpetuity, the best route is find an existing land trust, tell them about it, and offer to help them preserve it: many of the thousands of trusts are listed here. But if your local trust is too busy or there just isn't one nearby, the LTA has some pointers and a book that can help anyone get started, here.

On designing reports, newsletters, and websites

posted May 12, 2009

Most nonprofit staff aren’t trained in visual design and may not know what to look for when they’re judging a designer’s work. Design Eye-Q has a free, 60-minute webinar that takes the mystery out of good design. It will teach you the 10 things you need to ask when evaluating new web pages, e-newsletters, annual reports, direct mail, or any other professionally designed communications. You’ll learn about the different emotions that particular colors convey, what font to use and when, things to consider when you’re designing a logo, why eye patterns are important, and other valuable tips.

Page 1 of 3 pages  1 2 3 >

fresh from Orion Magazine