Resource Highlights
The purpose of this section is to tell you about noteworthy resources in the field that have recently come to our attention. This list will be updated every month and is not intended to be comprehensive. We encourage you to contact us if you are aware of any resource that should be referenced on our website.

Previous Months:  | July 2008 | August 2008 |September 2008 | October 2008| November 2008 |

December 2008:

1. National Center for Charitable Statistics
http://nccs.urban.org/

This center maintains annual statistics on the charitable sector, providing information on number and types of nonprofits by year, state and service area.
Use this resource to see look for trends in nonprofits and giving.
Good for anyone looking for quantitative information on the nonprofit sector.

2. PhilanTopic: A to Z Grantmakers' Guide for Uncertain Times
http://pndblog.typepad.com/pndblog/2008/11/a-to-z-grantmak.html

PhilanTopic, a philanthropy blog, created this guide for grantmakers in an uncertain economy.
Use this resource to start a conversation at your foundation about how the economy will affect your giving.
Good for foundations.

3. VolunteerMatch
http://www.volunteermatch.org/

VolunteerMatch is a comprehensive database of volunteer opportunities in the United States.
Use this resource to find local volunteer opportunities in your area of interest.
Good for anyone, including families, teachers, employers, who want to find individual or group volunteer opportunities.

November 2008:

1. Stanford Social Innovation Review
http://www.ssireview.org/

This is a widely read publication touching on issues and innovations in the social sector.
Use this resource to educate yourself on social sector issues and keep current with new nonprofit developments.
Good for anyone involved in or interested in learning more about the social sector.

2. National Center for Family Philanthropy
http://www.ncfp.org/

This organization exists to promote  philanthropic values, vision and excellence among donors and their families. Contains resources and publications useful for family foundations and philanthropists.
Use this resource to learn more about family philanthropy.
Good for family foundations or anyone wanting to get their family more involved in philanthropy.

3. Social Edge
http://www.socialedge.org/

A project of the Skoll Foundation, Social Edge is an online social network designed to allow social entrepreneurs, philanthropists and other social sector practitioners to connect, network, and share bset practices and experiences.
Use this resource to connect with other people in the social entrepreneurship field.
Good for people looking for like-minded individuals.

October 2008:

1. "Which Organization Should Dissolve in a Merger?"
http://www.lapiana.org/resources/tips/negotiations/02_2000.html

La Piana Associates' discussion on merging nonprofit organizations and which organization should dissolve. La Piana's site also has various other useful tools for merger.
Use this resource to discuss issues with your boards and staff during a potential merger.
Good for Executive Directors or board leadership in organizations considering merger.

2. Google for Non-Profits
http://www.google.com/nonprofits/

Free google tools for nonprofits, including email, collaboration tools, and website resources.
Use this resource to communicate better among teams, bolster your internal processes.
Good for any nonprofit, especially those that are starting up or changing things around.

3. Microgiving
http://www.microgiving.com/

Microgiving is an online network which allows individuals to give directly to causes of their choice.
Use this resource to explore philanthropic options and give to causes you care about.
Good for individuals looking for a way to make a difference right from their computer.

September 2008:

1. TakingITGlobal
http://www.takingitglobal.org/

TakingITGlobal was formed in 2000 by two teenagers who wanted to connect youth around the world. The innovative site now has over 200,000 members and connects youth in over 200 countries.
Use this resource to meet like-minded people from all over the world and explore what other people are doing to create change.
Good for youth who want to be inspired and make a difference in their community.

2. My Good Deed
http://mygooddeed.org/

This website was created by families and friends of those affected by 9/11 to continue a spirit of service and unity. It is free to participate, and the long term mission of the site is to turn 9/11 into a day of national service.
Use this resource to connect to other people who want to make change in the world.
Good for anyone, but especially those who are inspired to create something positive out of tragedy.

3. ServiceNation
http://bethechangeinc.org/servicenation

ServiceNation, an organization dedicated to restoring the tradition of national service, has created a coalition of over 100 partners to put on a ServiceNation summit this month on September 11-12. On September 27, the organization and its partners will sponsor a Day of Action where individuals can hold events connected to the national day. ServiceNation also recently announced a partnership with Facebook that will allow it to continue building its large grassroots network.
Use this resource to get your community involved in a national movement.
Good for individuals and nonprofits who want to motivate a community. 

  August 2008:

Collaboration

1. The Collaboration Project 
http://www.collaborationproject.org

The National Academy of Public Administration has created a Wiki (collaborative website comprised of the collective work of many authors) where leaders come together and use the web to try and solve complex government problems. Features projects and ideas around the country.
Use this resource to participate in solving problems, or look at a model of how the web can be used to collaboratively explore innovative solutions.
Good for individuals interested in public administration issues, as well as anyone interested in the exploring how to use wiki's more effectively.

2. Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory
http://surveys.wilder.org/public_cfi/index.php

This inventory was designed as a tool for assessing the factors that influence the success of a collaboration. The site features a number of questions that will help assess the strength of a collaboration and, at the end, presents you with a summary score of the 20 different aspects.
Use this resource to assess the viability of a new collaboration or evaluate an ongoing one.
Good for anyone thinking of becoming or already involved in a nonprofit collaboration. 

Philanthropy

3. Youth and Philanthropy Initiative
http://www.toskanfoundation.org/ypi.html

The Toskan Casale Foundations started this program to teach youth about philanthorpy. High School students in grades 9 and 10 learn the fundamentals of philanthropy, culminating in their own grantmaking process. This program has been implemented in several schools across Canada.
Use this resource to see how foundations can help encourage youth philanthropy.
Good for anyone interested in what schools can do to teach philanthropy.

4. Gifts in Kind International
http://www.giftsinkind.org/

Gifts in Kind, the 8th largest charity in the United States, collects almost $900 million in product donations a year from thousands of companies and gives the goods to nonprofits in need. 99.7% of all contributions go to the nonprofits, and Forbes Magazine said that no other charity of the same size matches Gifts in Kind in terms of efficiency.
Use this resource to explore new ways to give back and new models of philanthropy
Good for corporations wanting to give product donations and nonprofits wanting to collect them.

5. The League
http://leagueworldwide.org/

The League is an organization that uses sports principles to get kids interested in giving back. An enthusiastic child is the team captain, and school teachers are coaches. Together they participate in "co-opetition" with other schools by earning points through volunteering. There are currently 21 states in The League.
Use this resource to engage children in a creative way.
Good for parents, students and teachers wanting to involve schools in philanthropy.

Collaboration

1. Networks, Network Mapping & Philanthropy
http://www.geofunders.org/content.aspx?oid=397f4949-df4d-4b81-b53e-d4aec1d0fde7

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) has compiled resources for grantmakers interested in using the power of networks to acheive social impact. The site includes network mapping, collaboration, and social networking tools.
Use this resource to explore how to use networks in grantmaking.
Good for grantmakers, but useful for anyone interested in the power of networks.

2. iEarn Collaboration Centre
http://media.iearn.org/

iEarn, a global network enabling teachers and youth to use the Internet and other technologies to collaborate on projects that enhance learning and make a difference in the world, has created an online space for students and teachers to find partners for curriculum based projects teaching students to become global citizens .
Use this resource to find or create global projects for students aged 5-20.
Good for teachers, students, educators or anyone else interested in starting a global classroom project.

Philanthropy

3. Philanthropy Annual
http://foundationcenter.org/gainknowledge/philanthropy2007/

The Foundation Center's new annual publication is a compilation of philanthropy highlights from the past year.
Use this resource to find interviews and commentary by field leaders, notable leadership changes and sector awards, a roundup of books, periodicals, and blogs, key stats on foundation giving, and a desk reference section with listings of sector organizations and contacts.
Good for anyone searching for information on current trends in U.S. philanthropy.

4. Smartlink.org
http://www.smartlink.org

A project of the Aspen Institute and the Neighborhood Funders Group, Smartlink has a wealth of community giving information for funders who want to make a difference with their giving. Includes a section for those new to philanthropy. The site highlights issues such as housing, jobs and education.
Use this resource to identify how your giving can strengthen a community, and to find resources for taking the first step into community giving.
Good for community-based grantmakers, new and old.

5. Exquisite Safaris
http://www.exquisitesafaris.com/

Philanthropic travel agency creating luxury vacations with opportunities for philanthropic education. The agency plans travel to destinations around the world.
Use this resource to explore the possibilities for incorporating philanthropy into your next vacation.
Good for anyone interested in philanthropy planning a luxury vacation.