Last year, the Hewlett Foundation president suggested in his annual report that non-profits start an "on-line marketplace" for giving that had simple, standard pieces of information. He suggested:
"1) A description of the organization’s goals and strategies for achieving them. For example, an organization dedicated to eliminating polio in a developing country would describe the scope of the problem and how it plans to tackle the problem. (How many children does it plan to vaccinate, and what steps are necessary to do this?)
2) Indicators to track the organization’s progress toward its goals and a description of what progress has been achieved. (How many vaccinations have actually been administered?)
3) Evidence of actual impact, where available, and lessons learned. (In the long run, did polio decline in the country? In the short run, what obstacles were encountered, and how were they surmounted?)
4) Reviews of the organization by its beneficiaries and other stakeholders and interested parties. (How do families, communities, governments, and others view the vaccination program?)"
This is a fantastic idea. There are simpler on-line giving sites in existence right now, but I can imagine how a larger on-line site of ALL NGOs POSSIBLE would just be ...staggering. This information can make even the smallest NGO shop open to the world. All the NGO manager would need is an internet cafe and a few hours to start. The questions listed above would help good NGOs make great descriptions of their work.
The on-line giving site that I love is www.globalgiving.com which aims to help small NGOs overseas. It asks partner organizations (larger, registered charities and NGOs) to find, vet, and organize small ones who are doing great, front-lines, grassroots work. Once screened for sound financial practices, the small NGO can post a need on-line. The site has descriptions, and the Global Giving folks makes sure donations are used within 60 days, 90% to the end user.
At the Rainbow School, we regularly ask for feedback, from students, teachers, and parents. I will post this feedback and answer the rest of the questions listed above in December 2007, in our first "annual report."
And here is a bit of feedback from last week, happy preschoolers jumping around!
See that little one in pink? You can barely see her, she is looking at the camera (left).
She is tiny, looks like half the size of her classmates. She was severely malnourished from birth to two. She started school (came with an older friend) this August. Now, through the government's mid-day-meal program, she recovering. She is even a teeny bit chubby, look at those cheeks! Her smiles come often now. She participates in class! That is a little measure of actual impact.
"1) A description of the organization’s goals and strategies for achieving them. For example, an organization dedicated to eliminating polio in a developing country would describe the scope of the problem and how it plans to tackle the problem. (How many children does it plan to vaccinate, and what steps are necessary to do this?)
2) Indicators to track the organization’s progress toward its goals and a description of what progress has been achieved. (How many vaccinations have actually been administered?)
3) Evidence of actual impact, where available, and lessons learned. (In the long run, did polio decline in the country? In the short run, what obstacles were encountered, and how were they surmounted?)
4) Reviews of the organization by its beneficiaries and other stakeholders and interested parties. (How do families, communities, governments, and others view the vaccination program?)"
This is a fantastic idea. There are simpler on-line giving sites in existence right now, but I can imagine how a larger on-line site of ALL NGOs POSSIBLE would just be ...staggering. This information can make even the smallest NGO shop open to the world. All the NGO manager would need is an internet cafe and a few hours to start. The questions listed above would help good NGOs make great descriptions of their work.
The on-line giving site that I love is www.globalgiving.com which aims to help small NGOs overseas. It asks partner organizations (larger, registered charities and NGOs) to find, vet, and organize small ones who are doing great, front-lines, grassroots work. Once screened for sound financial practices, the small NGO can post a need on-line. The site has descriptions, and the Global Giving folks makes sure donations are used within 60 days, 90% to the end user.
At the Rainbow School, we regularly ask for feedback, from students, teachers, and parents. I will post this feedback and answer the rest of the questions listed above in December 2007, in our first "annual report."
And here is a bit of feedback from last week, happy preschoolers jumping around!
See that little one in pink? You can barely see her, she is looking at the camera (left).
She is tiny, looks like half the size of her classmates. She was severely malnourished from birth to two. She started school (came with an older friend) this August. Now, through the government's mid-day-meal program, she recovering. She is even a teeny bit chubby, look at those cheeks! Her smiles come often now. She participates in class! That is a little measure of actual impact.
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