Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

Jason Dick at A Small Change Fundraising Blog has posted the latest edition of the Carnival of Nonprofit Consultants, our twice monthly roundup of the most interesting stuff in the nonprofit blogosphere. Following the Carnival by subscribing to it is great way to keep up with what’s going on.

Jason highlighted interesting posts from several blogs, including Connection Cafe, Business Philanthropy Coach, Philanthropy 2173, Ask Direct, Donor Power Blog, Social Actions, Epic Change and more. Check it out!

The next Carnival will be published around September 15 at FIO Parnters Perspectives, followed by editions at Ready, Aim, Inspire on October 1 and Nonprofit Marketing Blog at October 15.

With the end of summer approaching and a busy fall right around the corner, it’s a good time to look at some of the trends in the nonprofit sector. How does your experience mesh with what these bloggers are seeing? Leave a comment and take part in the conversation.

It’s All About Social Media

The biggest trend (or at least the one people are talking most about) is how nonprofits can use social media. Michelle Murrain at Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology admits she was rather curmudgeonly about social media initially, but now that a broader range of people are using it (not just 20-something and tech geeks), she believes social media will be a major part of online communications, thus nonprofits need to be there.

Just take a look at all the panel titles related to nonprofits and social media being considered for next year’s SXSW conference on Beth’s Blog. Jordan Viator at Connection Cafe highlights several great case studies on how nonprofits are putting social media to work for good and Norman Reiss at Nonprofit Bridge discusses the concept of groundswell - where people use technology like social media to connect directly, rather than going through traditional institutions.

What’s Happening in Fundraising

Jason Dick at A Small Change - Fundraising Blog applauds the trends of multi-year grants and more strategic giving by foundations. Phil Cubeta at Gift Hub also sees some big trends in philanthropy, including the role financial advisers play in gift-making decisions.

Randal Mason at Fundraising Breakthroughs was surprised to learn just how big the giving circles concept has become.

Nonprofits who work with the elderly, disabled, and other groups that have traditionally relied on subsidized housing can expect some big changes in how they are funded as government gets out of the housing business, says Jane at FIO Partners Perspectives.

What’s Not Hot, But Should Be?

Katya Andresen at Nonprofit Marketing Blog says great photos on nonprofit websites should be trend, even thought it’s not yet.

Melanie Guin at Adventures in Good Governance says strategic planning, not good intentions, is what’s needed in the nonprofit sector.

Aaron Hurst at Pro Bono Junkie’s Blog says that the nonprofit sector needs to invest more into getting good data, rather than relying on thin, faux data that creates misleading conclusions.

This is the first edition of the new format for the Carnival of Nonprofit Consultants. You’ll find the same great roundups as always, but now just twice a month. The September 2 edition will be hosted by A Small Change, with the September 15 edition at FIO Partners Perspectives. See you there!

Michelle Murrain at Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology has posted this week’s edition of the Carnival of Nonprofit Consultants on the worst mistakes nonprofits can make with their websites. Check it out!

What’s Hot and What’s Not?

FYI, the Carnival will no longer publish weekly, but will now appear on the 1st and 15th of each month, beginning August 15. I’ll be hosting that edition and in honor of the dog-days of August, the theme will be “What’s Hot, What’s Not.” If you blog about nonprofit issues, what’s hot in your particular niche, and what’s not? Help your friends and followers in the nonprofit sector understand the latest trends. To submit your post for consideration, use this form or email npc.carnival AT yahoo.com by 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 14, 2008.

Wondering what nonprofit books you should be reading this summer? Skip on over to the Carnival of Nonprofit Consultants at Sea Change Strategies for a good list.

Next week the Carnival will be hosted by Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Tech.

This week’s Carnival of Nonprofit Consultants is up at Solidariti. Thanks to Priscilla for hosting while all of America took a long weekend for Independence Day!

And now it’s off to the beach . . . Next week’s host, Mark Rovner at Sea Change Strategies, wants to know what summer reads you recommend for nonprofit marketers and fundraisers. What belongs in the beach bag this year (assuming you might read more than a trashy novel)? Blog about it and submit your permalink here by Saturday night.

This week’s Carnival of Nonprofit Consultants is now online at Sam Davidson’s Blog. Sam has highlighted posts on fundraising, online marketing, and more.

Next week the Carnival travels down under to Priscilla Brice-Weller’s Solidariti Blog.

Jeff Brooks at Donor Power Blog has posted this week’s edition of the Carnival of Nonprofit Consultants. It’s the usual interesting mix of posts that you’ve come to expect from the Carnival. Next week’s host is Sam Davidson.

Starting August 15, the Carnival will shift from a weekly format to a twice monthly format, publishing on the 1st and 15th of each month. I am now accepting hosting requests for the August 15, 2008 - February 2009 slots. If you would like to host the carnival, please send me a note.

You can read this week’s edition of the Carnival at Get Fully Funded Blog. You’ll find posts from Donor Power Blog, Getting Attention, Connection Cafe, Everyday Giving Blog, and Cause Marketing Blog.

Next week, we’ll visit with Jeff Brooks at Donor Power Blog. It’s an open call, but Jeff will give bonus points to posts that contain the phrase “the longest day” in celebration of the summer solstice. Submit your blog post to the Carnival here.