Source: Foundation Center Focus on the Financial Crisis
The map image above is an interactive map that displays the distribution of the most recent support by U.S. foundations to aid those affected by the downturn. Drill down to see the details. It's part of the Foundation Center's aggregated page of articles, podcasts, data, and resources that Focus on the Financial Crisis. You can updates through RSS. Excellent example of aggregation strategy and really clear and good information design.
Marty Kearns has set up a collaborative paper and discussion on a wiki. The paper is called Cascading Failure. Marty is convinced that the answer on how the nonprofit can understand and survive this meltdown is out there in network and has set up a space for us to kick it around.
At this stage, it is clear that nonprofit and advocacy groups are headed for extraordinarily difficult financial times. The cash crunch for the advocacy movement will be as bad as we can imagine and far worse than we can easily manage. We need a plan for how to remain effective. We should all begin to operate with new assumptions.
You can find the paper along with some draft prescriptions for organizations. One the recommendations is:
Invest in Social Capital. It will be the only growing market in 2009. Look at it as part of your organization: There have always been good reasons to build your social network, but now it is a matter of strategy and applying the techniques of network weaving. You need social capital to help in difficult times. I set up a page to brainstorm some practical tips, strategies, and resources.
There are also some draft recommendations for individuals working within advocacy movements.
I've been noticing a new hash tag #npecon floating around on Twitter and just added to my tag list. I'll be drilling down into this area to think more deeply about how social media fits in - and also from the vantage point of an individual.
Additional Resources:
Nonprofit 911 - Washington DC Nonrpofits
Case Foundation Blog Post
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