|
Just as
businesses use the Internet to provide
information about themselves, many
non-profit organizations and government
agencies have found that the Internet
allows them to potentially reach millions
of people online. Internet users are
receiving unprecedented access to
information created by these
organizations.
- research
data
- statistics
- news
and press releases
- forms and
publications
- educational
and training materials
- merchandise
Non-profit
organizations include associations and
groups with exempt functions such as --
charitable, religious, educational, and
scientific organizations; civic leagues
and social welfare organizations;
organizations of past or present members
of the armed forces, etc.
These types of organizations are also
using the Internet to:
- Spread their
messages of promoting
humanitarian, charitable, and
conservation efforts,
- Inform
interested parties and members
about the programs or services
offered,
- Obtain
funding resources or
contributions to conduct programs
and operations,
- Obtain and
train volunteer personnel, or
- Provide
detailed information about
special events.
Federal,
state and local government offices are
also making use of the Internet. For
example, you can take a tour of the White
House, see photos, documents, and even
send an email message to the President. Most federal and state income tax forms
and instructions can be obtained directly
by accessing the respective
agencies’ web site from your office
or home. Information that would have
taken days or weeks to obtain in the past
can now be received in a matter of
minutes over the Internet.
Many churches are using the Internet to
keep their members informed about church
activities by providing:
- Detailed
calendars of events,
- Names of
persons to contact regarding
various departments and mission
projects offered,
- Lists of
available books and recorded
materials,
- Directories
of members that offer business
services, and
- Details
about the church’s history
and future efforts.
There are
even church sites that offer live chat
rooms so that members can keep in contact
with each other. The Internet has made it
possible to make long distance calls to
anywhere in the world for the cost of a
local phone call.
As with
commercial businesses, non-profit
organizations are benefiting from the
ability to provide information that is
available to Internet users 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week.
One of the considerations that smaller
non-profit organizations should make
before establishing an online presence is
to identify who their site is intended to
reach. Will enough people find benefit in
the information they provide?
Another consideration is the cost benefit
of an Internet site compared to
traditional communication methods like
phone centers, print ads, brochures,
newsletters, and other mailings.
The number of Internet sites created by
non-profit organizations is a strong
indication that providing services and
information to members and the online
public are worthwhile efforts.[] |
