Best Links: Nonprofit Transparency to Reducing Donor Attrition

• Open Organizations. There is a lot of discussion right now about transparency in the nonprofit sector. Some organizations are jumping out in front of the issue by making more information available to supporters via various means. One method is through an online "dashboard," which contains a variety of information -- financial and otherwise. Lucy Bernholz, on her blog, Philanthropy 2173, provides a good summary of the issues, links to other blogs, and to samples of what some organizations are doing in this arena.

• Online giving: A Lively Spot in the Lackluster Economy. Katya Andresen reports that Network for Good has now processed over $300 million in online donations to more than 50,000 charities since its start. Online giving turns out to be a bright spot in this economy, Katya says, and suggests how nonprofits can make the most of it.

• Grant Planning for 2010: A Silver-Lining for a Gloomy Outlook? April Northstrom, of Grant Savvy, provides a sober overview of fundraising for 2010, but then suggests several ways to approach your grant planning that will make your proposals more successful, despite the economy.

• Best Practices for Designing Nonprofit Websites. Smashing Magazine provides tips about how to make your nonprofit website both functional and attractive. If you feel confused about website design, this article cuts to the basics that are the most important, and then provides 20 examples of great nonprofit sites.

• Beyond the Thank You Letter. If you're not familar with the website, SOFII, this is your chance. SOFII is a depository of advice for fundraisers and, more importantly, many actual campaigns. This one, for Greenpeace, details a welcome process for new donors that is geared to deepening their relationship with the organization and reducing donor attrition.

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