Don Howard and Kimberly Wicoff

The Internet has changed the way that nonprofits are engaging with their supporters - from providing information to generating support (dollars, volunteers, advocates) to executing their mission-driven activities. At the 2003 e-philanthropy conference, Bridgespan, in collaboration with Network for Good, presented new research about the state of e-engagement. This work was the result of online surveys of over 1,000 nonprofits and over 13,000 Internet users as well as a review of the Internet-based activities of the 50 largest US-based charitable organizations. GuideStar was instrumental in helping conduct the surveys of nonprofits and The Kellogg Foundation provided generous support for the project through a grant to Network for Good.

Our findings are surprising and pose interesting challenges for nonprofit leaders:

58% of internet users have taken some action to support the work of nonprofits

76% of internet users who visited a nonprofit or charity website were inspired to take action - either offline or online - as a result of that visit

Online giving remains small (10% of internet users have made online donations) but it engages a much younger demographic (Younger respondents were 4 times more likely to search for ways to donate online than individuals over 55).

Many users are doing their research online before making gifts offline (39% of users reported giving offline after visiting a nonprofit website)

Nonprofits report that signing up volunteers online and using Internet based advocacy yields significant levels of support for their organizations

The Internet has enlarged the pie by expanding support for nonprofits - 60% of Internet users who took action reported that they either wouldn't have done so or are unsure whether they would have done so without the Internet

E-philanthropy continues to evolve as nonprofits explore ways to engage their supports via online community building, electronic field trips, distance learning, and other innovative Internet-based technologies.