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Volunteers
Fund Raising
Emergency Requests
Discussion
Nonprofit organizations conduct an endless quest for resources. Online appeals may be especially attractive because it is possible to be timely and detailed when making a pitch.
Requests for volunteers can be very specific - highlighting the features of programs which need help, describing the work, requirements, schedule and other details.
In many communities, efforts to locate new volunteers are coordinated through a central clearinghouse . A volunteer center can post general information on a community page with links to details on the agency pages.
An agency site can support a fund raising effort by providing additional information about the agency and its programs. Even budget details and needs can be spelled out. In an era of shrinking resources, potential donors may not be aware of the pressures organizations are under. They may not appreciate the effects of loss of funding upon existing programs.
Funding campaigns often help the donor to focus on the value of their gift by suggesting that it be linked to specific program activities or capital expenses. An online system can present far more detail about agency needs.
The timeliness of online access allows rapid announcements of short term needs. Circumstances can be explained and special appeals designed for quick response.
One of the limitations of Internet is that although the information can be quickly updated, an agency page is viewed whenever users wish. In emergencies, special efforts are required to call attention to the new information. Within an agency page system, there may be a "What's New?" section or a special headline area on the home page. In a broader community system, special announcements may be posted at entry level pages. And agencies may wish to use E-mail communication to call attention to an issue. The details can be left out of these announcements. Readers can refer to the agency pages for specifics.