A non-profit organization (often called “non-profit org” or simply “non-profit” or “not-for-profit”) is an organization whose primary objective is something other than the generation of profit. Such organizations are typically funded through a mix of private or public (i.e. government) donations.

The administration of a nonprofit organization has become increasingly multifaceted.

“Doing more with less is the mandate for most organizations today. Sources of funding are tighter, government spending on many organizations is curtailed and there is more competition for existing dollars from private and public sectors. The result is a heavier reliance on technology to manage and streamline the business, while extending its efficiency and effectiveness with raising funds.”

So writes, Scott H. Cytron, an accredited communications and public relations consultant working in the accounting, healthcare, high-tech and finance industries with his motivating article in the 2005 edition of The Insider .

In the light of this reliance we take a look today at NTEN. “NTEN is a membership organization of nonprofit professionals who put technology to use for their causes. We enable our members to do their jobs better and help their organizations strategically use technology so that they, in turn, make the world a better, just, and equitable place. NTEN facilitates the exchange of knowledge and information within our community. We connect members to each other, provide professional development opportunities, education our constituency on issues of technology us in nonprofits.”

As an active community of nonprofit and technology professionals, NTEN hosts a vast list of benefits for members: A few of these include:

Conferences: One annual and several regional

Online Community: Networks offering daily help from peers.

NTEN Community: Members all work in nonprofit technology. Member Directory.

Face-to-Face Networking: Face-to-face capability when joining NTEN’s 501 Tech Club.

Online Trainings: Webinars offering latest tools and trends. Members get up to 50% off.

Nonprofit Technology News: NTEN blog.

Monthly Newsletter: NTEN Connect is your opportunity to read about the latest issues from a variety of viewpoints. For each issue we ask leaders in the nonprofit technology community to sound off on a topic that is impacting the field.

Reports and Analysis: We research topics that matter to nonprofits and impact their use of technology. NTEN Members get first access to results.

Connect with Technology Providers: Online directory TechFinder.

Product Discounts: Member discounts on products and services.

Full details on the aforementioned benefits and more can be found at: http://www.nten.org/join/benefits

As NTEN continues to forge ahead with strategic planning that will further the organization’s mission, we find them also building partnerships with other organizations such as Mission Research Partners. Mission Research, developer of the Gift Works affordable fundraising software for nonprofits, announced a new discount program with the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN), the membership organization of nonprofit professionals who put technology to use for their causes, to make technology more affordable for the nation’s smaller nonprofits. Through this partnership, Mission Research will provide a significant member discount for its Gift Works fundraising and donor management software for nonprofits to NTEN members.

And, as a part of NTEN’s continued due diligence, the 2008 Nonprofit Technology Conference is scheduled for March 19-21, in New Orleans. Planners are expecting in excess of 1,000 attendees. The conference will take place at the Sheraton New Orleans. "Building Community: Connections around the globe and around the corner" is the theme. "We will have more than 90 breakout sessions on the most important technology issues today. These sessions will give you the knowledge and skills you need to go back to work and put what you learned to use, whether you’re a seasoned coder or a nonprofit worker turned accidental techie."

Woodrow Wilson once said,

"You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand."

Evidently, NTEN has captured their vision!

This entry was posted on Friday, November 30th, 2007 at 3:15 pm and is filed under Associations, Communication, Conferences, Technology, Web. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.