(Chico – November 12, 2008) A variety of local nonprofit organizations learned about emerging Internet tools and services during a training on November 10 provided by the Nonprofit Leadership Institute, a program of North Valley Community Foundation. Don Peterson, an Instructional Technology specialist, explained to those present how they can use free or low cost products and services to enhance their marketing, communication and fundraising efforts. Volunteers and staff from new and established nonprofit organizations learned about blogs, content management systems, semantic web design, twitter and the like.

“It is my hope to bring many of these organizations out of the dark ages and into low cost access to web technology that can serve the organization’s marketing, advocacy and development needs,” according to Peterson. “This course is the result of my efforts of the past year to understand this unique audience and to design this course to fit the nonprofit sector.”

Peterson encouraged participants to “learn to share and share to learn” as a means to expand their contacts and knowledge regarding Internet technology. Nonprofits must learn they are not alone, their challenges are not necessarily unique, and that there are many overlooked opportunities that cost little

“I was very impressed with Don’s depth and breadth of knowledge in this complex and dynamic area and his ability to make it applicable,” state Jeff Thacker, Chief operating Officer of Youth For Change. “The Internet Technology Solutions seminar provided many useful tools that will make an immediate difference in how we manage the web resources within the agency.”

The Nonprofit Leadership Institute’s Director, Laura Cootsona, reminded the participants: “We are all guinea pigs in these courses. Instructors are learners and facilitators; participants are both learners and teachers. Together we will build our skills and better serve the causes we have given our lives to.”

The next training from the Nonprofit Leadership Institute, “Planning to Plan”, will take place on December 5. The instructor for this class will be Scott Winter. A schedule for 2009 classes is available on line at www.nvcf.org. Most classes are ½ day and cost $60 per person. A new “recession offer” allows an organization to send two people to a class and have one come for free or to attend three classes for the price of two.
The Nonprofit Leadership Institute is a program of North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF). NVCF is a nonprofit, philanthropic organization that builds financial resources to meet community needs through grants and programs. With net assets of approximately $6 million, NVCF provides financial and administrative services to donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations with the goal of enriching the quality of life of all community members. Since 1989, hundreds of individuals, families, businesses, and community groups have established funds at the Foundation.  NVCF is located at 3120 Cohasset Rd., Suite 8 in Chico. Call Alexa Valavanis at 891-1150 ext. 28 for details or visit http://www.nvcf.org.