Nonprofit Social Networking & Web 2.0 Survey Results

Citizen Schools and the Public Learning Media Laboratory have released the result of a survey on how nonprofits can make effective use of Web 2.0 and social networking tools. 

Key results include:

• Blogging was viewed as a sure, effective way to reach net citizenry and support nonprofits.
• Respondents were optimistic about the value of social networking technologies to organize an event and spread news about their organizations.
• Respondents were less optimistic about the prospects of social networking technologies to help raise significant monetary or goods donations for their organizations.
• Respondents indicated that web traffic was the most prominent value they have gained through use of various technologies. Other specific gains were harder to quantify.
• Respondents indicated that a successful social networking technology integration strategy would include the following elements:

• Know your options, get informed, learn from others
• Identify:
  a. What you want to accomplish, and why you should use technologies
  b. An appropriate fit between the strengths of a particular technology and your organization’s mission
• Indicate reasonable, realistic metrics and measures for success
• Develop organizational support and personnel
• Launch, evaluate, reiterate, repeat.

The survey results, instrument, and raw data are available online.