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Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

From cell phones to computers and websites to social media, nonprofits use technology to meet their missions everyday. Let's get under the surface.

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Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technology

From cell phones to computers and websites to social media, nonprofits use technology to meet their missions everyday. Let's get under the surface.

From cell phones to computers and websites to social media, nonprofits use technology to meet their missions everyday. Let's get under the surface.

From cell phones to computers and websites to social media, nonprofits use technology to meet their missions everyday. Let's get under the surface.

From cell phones to computers and websites to social media, nonprofits use technology to meet their missions everyday. Let's get under the surface.

Maxwell Pearl
Maxwell Pearl
Maxwell Pearl
Maxwell Pearl
1 Campaign |
Healdsburg, United States
$1,665 USD 19 backers
11% of $15,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
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The beginnings...
 
I have been working with nonprofits on a wide range of technology issues for almost twenty years. I still remember helping an organization put in its first network by pulling cable in the ceiling (I think the pants I ruined doing that might still be in my rag pile). I've been on nonprofit boards (including the board of NTEN, the Nonprofit Technology Network, and Aspiration.) I blogged on these topics for many years and I've seen software and hardware trends come and go, but ultimately, the same issues remain: Why use technology, anyway? How do we harness technology best to accomplish our mission? How do we navigate the bewildering set of options for everything from our network to social media to figure out what will work best?
 
The book...
 
This book, titled "Zen and the Art of Nonprofit Technolgy" aims to dig into these questions, bring out the most important factors, and provide concrete support and advice for decision-making,  but at a higher level than most resources. I won't tell you which CRM to pick, or even list the options, but I will tell you a lot about why you might or might not need one, what you can do with them, and how to go about making an informed choice based on your particular situation. I won't tell you whether to use Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest, or how make iOS or Android apps, but I will bring in resources to help you understand how to look at your constituents, and measure your impact. I will also place all of these new (and not so new) trends and technologies in context, so you can better understand the changing landscape, and when to commit resources, and when to wait. This book is not only about teaching you how to fish, but explaining why you should fish, and, further, when you should grow beans, or ranch cows, instead of fish.
 
I'll talk a bit about the history of technology, the use of hardware and software in nonprofits, the sometimes thorny relationships between vendors and organizations, and the political and philosophical conundrums inherent in this enterprise. The book will delve into the good old proprietary vs. open source debate, and will lay out some good, concrete answers to that debate that will help you make decisions. And, most importantly, I will explore sector-wide technology issues, and place much of this in a bigger picture context. 
 
I have written a tentative outline.
 
I am giving this book away in a gesture of generosity to the sector. The book will have a Creative Commons license, and released in paper and e-book formats. It will also be a living document, open to modification and discussion over time.
 
The work...
 
I've been hatching this book for more than a year. Since I make my living building websites for nonprofits, getting time to write this book has been a big challenge. $10,000 will buy about two months of my time to write. $3,000 will buy design services for the cover and website, and $2,000 will go for publicity. so this book can get in as many hands as possible.
 
There are some great perks! Check them out! There are paper copies, tweets, and even consulting hours!
 
If you can't contribute, I completely understand. It would be fabulous if you spread the word to your community and colleagues!
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