Network for Good

Network for Good is a nonprofit organization formed in 2001 to provide a comprehensive Internet philanthropy portal. The portal aids nonprofits and others raising money over the Internet and processes gifts through its Internet presence, keeping a percentage as a processing fee. Resources and guidance are offered to organizations seeking to improve their online presence and donor relations. The Web site also provides a database for those looking for volunteer opportunities. The organization seeks to help users take advantage of the social networking wave sweeping our culture by using these networks to raise money for charity.

Network for Good was founded in 2001 by AOL, Yahoo!, and Cisco Systems and has its headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland. AOL's http://helping.org, a philanthropic portal, was the starter for the Network for Good Web site. It has become the most prominent online giving portal. Initially, 100 percent of credit card online donations to charities channeled by Network for Good went directly to the charities. The portal itself paid the transaction costs. This has since changed, and a percentage of donations is withheld by Network for Good. Ease of online giving is one of the benefits cited by donors as a main reason for donating through an entity like Network for Good.

Bill Strathmann is the CEO of Network for Good. He worked in mergers and acquisitions prior to his work with Network for Good. He was also a consultant to corporations and nonprofit organizations in the areas of strategy planning and business improvement.

Network for Good provides a fund-raising service titled DonateNow to nonprofits and others wanting to raise charitable gifts. The organization sets up a donation page, processes the contributions, and sends gift receipts to the contributors. [Page 658]There is a one-time setup fee, a monthly fee, and 3 percent of contributions is withheld for transaction fees. When Network for Good is the portal donors use to give to a charity, the gift is actually made to Network for Good's donor-advised fund. That fund then transfers to money to the designated nonprofit.

Network for Good has enabled many small and medium-sized charities to enter the world of online giving though its training and Web giving support functions. It also helps enable social networks to be used to raise money for causes. Individuals are empowered through these sites to raise money for causes among their friends and social networks. It provides individuals an opportunity to host a charity badge on their Web sites, blogs, or social networks. A charity badge is a tool an individual can use to provide information on a charity, track giving, and provide an opportunity for those who see the badge to contribute.

Network for Good actively pursues partnerships with corporations. It provides corporations the technical support and giving coaching so that they can enable their employees to give to charities supported by the business or by employees.

In 2011, 15 percent of giving via the Network for Good was through social networks. This kind of giving is up dramatically. In 2011, excluding disaster relief donations, giving through Network for Good rose 17 percent over the previous year. The Web site provides the opportunity to give to any of the 1.8 million charities listed by Network for Good.

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