Where can I find information on online fundraising?

The terms "online fundraising" or, more generally, "e-philanthropy" refer to using the Internet and technology to manage nonprofit fundraising, volunteer, and advocacy efforts.

For basic information read Michael Stein’s article "A Primer on Online Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations" available at Techsoup.org. The following resources contain additional information:

• "A Decade of Online Fundraising." Michael Stein and John Kenyon. Nonprofit Quarterly 11 (Winter 2004) p. 66, 68, 70-5. The authors present an analysis of the type of organization that succeeds with online fundraising. They also delineate online techniques that are successful.

• Discussion of online services that can assist nonprofits is available through Idealist's Nonprofit FAQ.

• "Fundraising Online: Using the Internet to Raise Serious Money For Your Nonprofit Organization." Gary M Grobman and Gary B. Grant. Harrisburg, PA: White Hat Communications, 2006. Information about the options for online fundraising, with an emphasis on resources that are available to assist in decision-making. The process begins with a fundraising plan, and may include electronic newsletters, podcasts, online stores, and other techniques. Practical advice is accompanied by numerous illustrations.

• The Nonprofit Matrix is an online directory and guide to Application Service Providers (ASPs) and portals offering web-based services for nonprofits and charities.

• Online Fundraising Handbook: Making the Most of the Web and Email to Raise More Money Online. Nick Allen, Ginger Lubkowitz, et.al. San Francisco, CA: Groundspring.org. 2004. Also available online (free registration is required).

• PNN Online's 2005 article "The State of E-Philanthropy" is available online.

• The Young and the Generous: A Study of $100 Million in Online Giving to 23,000 Charities. Bethesda, MD: Network for Good, 2006. Network for Good is the largest nonprofit giving portal and, working with GuideStar, conducted a study of 23,000 online donations that were processed from 2001 to 2006 (a period in which $100 million was donated through the site).

For other books and articles about "online fundraising" or "e-philanthropy", try searching our Catalog of Nonprofit Literature (CNL), the Center's bibliographic database. You could begin by searching on the subject "Fundraising--computer aided" or by using the terms "online fundraising" or "e-philanthropy" in the keyword field.

Many of the books and articles found through CNL can be located in Center Libraries and some Cooperating Collections. It is best to call ahead to verify a specific library's holdings.

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