I'll certainly agree with Mr. Paul Mondesire's characterization of how we might inform a Philanthropist or their designated Foundation staff as to the value of what we're doing in our organizations, so that they might feel it's something they believe deserving of their support... And likewise that we're doing this amidst that cacophony of voices... (and that we will likely say things that aren't meant to be dealt with-from the view of some)
But my bigger point in bringing all this up (and sorry not to have been a more active discussant-but very pleased to have followed the conversation) was the idea of "Educating the philanthropic community" ... This is a very different proposition than each of us in our separate organizations making our separate cases to various Foundation or other financially well-positioned parties who are receiving many similar requests, and many requests of wide ranging nature.... This posits us working together, drawing upon our experience on the cutting edge of moral and social thought and practice, and having a more united voice extolling our collective value, and that different philanthropic strategies and perspectives are warranted. Failing that, it demands us coordinating resources within our field such that we are a better resource to each other and can advance and empower ourselves and our commuities by working together and tending to that field we labor in... as a garden. -MM ____________________________________________________________________________ Michael Maranda President, The Association For Community Networking (AFCN) http://www.afcn.org Executive Director, CTCNet Chicago Chapter http://www.ctcnetchicago.org Co-Chair, Illinois Community Technology Coalition (ilCTC) http://www.ilctc.org Vice President, CAAELII http://www.caaelii.org Vice President, NPOTechs http://www.npotechs.org Join us for Digital Neighborhoods: Connecting All Chicago to the World, October 20th! http://www.ctcnetchicago.org/event Attend the Illinois Community Technology Conference, November 16-17, 2005. http://www.ctcnetchicago.org/conference -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Paul Mondesire Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2005 10:24 AM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Educating the philanthropic community >Every day we are bombarded with media messages educating us on some new >drug, some phone company or financial service, or some food product or >new car model. This works. Advertising changes habits and purchasing >decisions. - Dan Basill We focus here on the Digital Divide but even that phrase covers a multitude of technical, financial, sociological, educational, cultural, and other challenges. In the battle of ideas, getting your message out in a manner which resonates with the target audience is crucial. When you are speaking of philanthropy, you are working at getting the attention of an individual or a small group (foundations etc.) who have resources and the inclination to share them. You must convince them to believe enough in what YOU are doing to support your effort. At the same time you are competing with a veritable cacaphony of other folks who are in need which means you must use whatever communications tools necessary to make that happen. If you have a good idea, cause, or solution to some socio-economic or health problem, it is up to YOU to state your case in a manner that convinces those you approach. Ms. Cravens spoke of having to create cost/benefit analyses for this or that software/hardware "solution" because someone was dazzled by a sales presentation. That's because companies expend huge amounts of time and money to make certain their sales force has the resources to close the deal. The not-for-profit world has to be just as well prepared to make their pitch because ultimately it is always comes down to SOMEONE making a decision and you better make sure you have made a compelling case that you are deserving of their generosity. I just LOVE the brain power of this group!!!! Thank you especially to Dan B, Dr. Bork, Taran R, Steve E., Phil S., Bonnie B., the amazing Andy Carvin and everyone else I read but have not time to respond to. Keep fighting the good fight!!!!!!! Paul Mondesire Thirteen/WNET [EMAIL PROTECTED] . _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
