Why The Web?

The Web can be an exciting new medium for charitable causes as long as the goals are "realistic", according to Jeff Hallett, chairman of NMP, Inc. who has launched a few online fundraising campaigns. Among the most compelling benefits are:

Global reach: The potential donor pool is no longer bounded by geography.

24/365: The charitable message and/or promotion can be accessed around the clock, every day.

Resources for Online Healthcare Fundraising Campaigns Netconex, (www.npauction.com), based in Sausalito, Calif., creates online auctions to support charity and non-profit organizations and have two efforts for the Richard Ermet Foundation, an AIDS organization. Contact: David Greenwald, director of marketing and donor development, 415/339-2040) Ironlight Digital, (www.ironlight.com), based in San Francisco, is an Internet service provider, Web site design and marketing firm that donates its services to charities and organizations. Recently, it donated Web site design services to two AIDS organizations, "Under One Roof" and "Tuesday's Child." (Contact: 415/646-7000)

Multimedia: The medium accommodates graphics, sound, video for heightened interactive message delivery.

Instant Appeals: appeals and messages can be delivered immediately when an event or crisis hits.

Multiple Appeal Options: Determining the "best length" of an appeal letter can be addressed by using a number of customized options from simple (brief) appeals to more developed appeals that are supported by data and background info.

Instant Response: If the impulse is to give, online campaigns can seize that donor opportunity immediately.

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