Five Ways Charaties Are Using Technology To Cut Costs And Boost Funds

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In today’s challenging times, charities as well as social enterprises have to use every tool available in order to keep their running costs low and their funds high.

Charitable organizations are responding to this challenge by turning to technology in order to assist them in finding and connecting with supporters. Here’s how they are doing it.

Recruiting Volunteers Online

Online advertising for volunteers allows charities to reach a much larger audience. Besides using websites and blogs, they can now take advantage of online databases like CharityJob.co.uk and Do-it.org.uk in order to recruit volunteers in their area.

Additionally, volunteers can readily find out about opportunities through searching these sites. They can be objective and filter the volunteer roles by area to locate jobs that will closely align with their personal interests and causes.

This will help to target volunteers by area and by interest. Charities can also utilize the previously elusive younger workforce. Social media is a valuable tool in reaching the younger age group.

Communicating Via Social Media

Social media is all the rage these days and it’s no wonder. You can quickly reach a wide audience through FaceBook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and more. You’ll be able to communicate your needs to a mass audience easily and quickly with the touch of a few keys.

By creating a page on FaceBook, you’ll allow your members to connect with one another and with you. It can become a collaborative effort as they post and share information, comment and share stories.

Photos and links can readily be shared with one another on Twitter and on FaceBook. Information can easily be updated via posts and tweets.

YouTube is an ideal showcase for special events or projects that impart complicated information to volunteers and clients alike. A simple video is very effective in getting an emotional message across. Links can be featured on the website, the blog, FaceBook page and even tweeted.

Always include a call to action in everything posted. Social Media is the perfect way to ask for direct donations so you want this in there.

Make It Easy To Donate

It’s easy to include information and donation buttons on your website, your blog or FaceBook. All you have to do is copy and paste the code into the site. Donations can then be made by clicking on the donation button which will take them directly to the donation site. These sites take all major credit cards and debit cards. You could even have an actual fund raising page with this contact button.

Send out tweets with links to the donation site. Set it up to donate via text as well. Make it so easy that anyone can take advantage of it and donate. Most online donation sites have a copy of the details and cover all mobile networks. Supporters can then text a code to donate specific amounts.

One of the most important things about fund raising is to show donors how their money is being spent. This can be done through a blog or website that shows the charity using the money by projects or events. It also allows the donors to comment on the work being done.

Create A Virtual Office Via SharePoint

Most charities and social enterprises are manned by a volunteer staff that already have a busy life of their own. They form committees and their members will meet infrequently because of other commitments.

This is why document sharing through SharePoint is a great way to create a virtual office. Documents can readily be stored and shared as well as changed by many users and the progress can easily be tracked.

This can easily be the focal point for the team or committee and members can share the details of the schedules and more. SharePoint is more than just a sharing site. It can help to organize meetings, maintain a calendar and track the projects.

It may not be easy to get the team all together at the same time. This can allow them to share an office virtually and stay up to date as to what is going on and prioritize things.

Use Date Profitably

This one can be tricky. The first challenge is keeping usable data and the second is being able to analyze the information to keep it up to date and use it effectively.

Targeted mail and email will help to generate a response. This can help to target more individuals who are actually interested in the project. The data that is available can readily be shared as well.

If you haven’t the money to invest you’re using the information already stored to explore your database. Many of the charities forget to continue with existing members and up date them.

When raising funds, reaching new supporters and establishing effective working groups these tools will assist in a successful solution.

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Amy Rice writes for Differently Ltd about web design and groovy websites. When not writing she enjoys playing adventure golf and going to the cinema with her daughter.

10 Reasons Why 2014 Is The Best Time To Invest In Real Estate

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If you’ve been thinking about investing in real estate, the time to do so is now. 2014 is shaping up to be the best time to invest in real estate, thanks to the recovery of the global economy and the current trends for real estate prices. Whether you’re buying your first home or buying a fixer-upper to rent or resell, this is the right time to do it. Here are 10 reasons why 2014 is the best time to invest in real estate.

Finally, The Global Economy is in Recovery Mode

The world economy is starting the year very strong, the strongest it’s been since the Global Financial Crisis. While the world does still have some problems to tackle, it seems the economy is no longer at the top of that list. As the world’s largest economies experience a synchronized recovery, real estate markets throughout the world are also strengthening, making this a great time for real estate investment.

End Users Are Driving the Market

For the past few years, the international housing market has been lead by speculators and investors, buying up as many houses as possible for low prices and flipping the properties. 2014 sees a new trend emerging as the majority of people investing in real estate are doing so for self use. This shift brought on by end user home owners will create more stability in the property market as the year continues.

The Price is Right, or At Least Close Enough

Sure, the cost of the housing has increased a bit since last year, but overall prices for housing are still incredibly low and affordable. Now, with less investors flipping houses, and prices remaining rather low, many first time home owners are entering the scene and joining in the fun of investing in real estate.

Less Competition Equals More Breathing Room A

s housing prices have increased slightly over the past few years, the international housing market is looking less appealing to investors simply looking to flip houses. House flipping isn’t happening as quickly as it was in the past, so as investors back away from the market, buyers are finding themselves in a great position. Buyers can enjoy the freedom of shopping around and finding the perfect real estate opportunity, without the pressure to close the deal because of another offer.

Renting Is More Expensive Than Owning

In the short term, renting might seem like a more viable option, but in the long run, buying a house is actually cheaper. Over the years the money you spend on rent adds up, and in the end you have nothing to show for it. As the housing market recovers, rental costs are on the rise as well. Why rent when buying a house is so affordable and mortgage rates are low?

Invest in Your Future, It’s Up to You

Investing in your future is important and you’re the one solely responsible for making it happen. If you buy a house now, as the cost of real estate increases, so will the value of your investment. Five years from now, you’ll be happy to see your investment appreciate value and you’ll feel content with your discussion to buy when the timing was right.

Low Risk, High Return

Investing in real estate is a low risk investment as prices are still low and in many cases, real estate listings are still undervalued. Buying real estate after a market crash is the best time to buy, as long as you do your research and are smart to not overpay for something that isn’t listed at the right price. Some homes are listed 20% below their market value, so buying now means that in a few more years, as the market finishes leveling off, you’ll see your low-risk investment become a high return investment.

Options, Options, Options

Not only are there great homes available for the right price in 2014, but there are plenty of options for what you can do with your real estate purchase. While the market is being driven by end users, buyers who plan on living in their new home, there is still the option to rent out your new purchase and turn your real estate investment into a money maker. Consider the location of your investment if this is an option you planning on pursuing. And, while investors who were flipping as many homes as possible are leaving the scene, more room opens up for individuals who want to try their hand at fixing up and selling a house a few years down the road. You don’t have to flip the house immediately. Buying real estate now and then waiting 2 or 3 years to sell could help you turn a nice profit on your low risk investment.

A Hedge Against Inflation

Speculators see inflation as the main concern for what to expect in 2014. As the cost of labor and materials increases, so will the overall cost of buying a home. If you buy your home now, you’re locked into current price, pre-inflation, which many say is all but certain in the coming years. Real estate is probably the best hedge against inflation, so you don’t want to miss this chance to purchase real estate now.

Positivity is Better Then Negativity

When it comes to investments, there are always nay-sayers and worriers, and it’s no different in real estate. But things are looking good and while some people may still be nervous or concerned about the housing market, caught up in the post-crash mindset, the thing to realize is the market is always changing. The great opportunities that are out there now, won’t be for long, so you need to take advantage of this amazing time now. Those who have purchased real estate in Tamarindo, Conchal and Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica in the past few years can tell you that buying now is the right thing to do. As the housing market gets stronger around the world, the prices will go up, but for now, they are still low, so make the most of this situation and invest in real estate in 2014.

Featured images:
  • License: Image author owned
  • License: Image author owned

By Ali Asjad

Ali Asjad is a content strategist based in Stockholm, Sweden. He helps companies in vast and varied verticals be more successful and visible online. Circle him on Google+ to further the conversation.

6 Tips To Consider While Renovating Your Office

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Renovating an office is always a difficult task. It gets in the way of your work. As a businessman you can’t afford to let renovation get in the way of your daily operation. After all, how are you going to pay for the renovation if the money stops coming in? You need to ensure that the renovation is as unobtrusive to your employees as possible. Here are 6 tips to consider while renovating your office.

Inform Your Employees

Before going ahead with the renovation, it’s important that you inform your employees about it. A week before the actual renovation should do it. This allows them to make preparations of their own. Send an e-mail to the entire staff about the upcoming renovation. Include any responsibilities that they may need to undertake. Get feedback from your employees to see what they think about it. Having an open dialogue between the management and the employees is important for any company. If this dialogue doesn’t exist you run the risk of alienating your employees. Try to incorporate your work force in executive decisions. After all, they’re the backbone of your company.

Divide the Renovation

Renovating an office is inconvenient, I know. However, if you take things step by step, then it doesn’t seem all that bad. Divide your renovation project into smaller projects to take them on one by one. First, get the most challenging part of the renovation out of the way. Renovating is like swimming, you just need to dive in. Once the hard part’s over you can take your time with the remaining work. You also need to prioritize the sub projects based on urgency. You can’t have your employees out of commission for long.

Renovate After Hours

If you don’t want your employees to be inconvenienced by the renovation, then you should do it after hours. Weekends are perfect, because the contractor will have the whole office to himself for 2 days. An experienced contractor can achieve a lot in that duration. If the renovation needs to take place on normal working days, then it’s best to start in the evenings. Most of your employees should be leaving right about then. Worse comes to worst you should give your employees a day off. Otherwise, the renovation will get in the way of your work and neither will get done.

Hire an Experienced Contractor

In order to get things done quickly you should hire the best people for the job. Experience matters the most when it comes to renovation. And when time is of the essence, experience is all that matters. When you’re hiring a contractor, don’t just hire the cheapest one. His services are cheap for a reason, because no one else will hire him. To get the renovation done as quickly as possible find someone with years of experience and who comes highly recommended. Even if you spend a little extra money you can rest assured that the job will be done perfectly and on time.

Create More Space

The whole objective of your office renovation should be to create more space. If you make efficient use of the space, your office will automatically look good. Office partitioning can help you with this. Separate the work stations by constructing cubicles. Your employees will be able to work in peace due to this. It’s best to consult with your contractor and come up with a floor plan before you begin renovating. You need to go through the floor plan and approve it to make sure everything’s going on according to your specifications.

Get Insured

If you haven’t insured your office you better do it quick, before the renovation begins. You never know what might happen. If there’s an accident and you’re not insured, you might even get sued. To avoid legal or moral problems in the future it’s best to get insured. You’re not the only one who’ll suffer. Your employees too will bear the brunt of it. Select an insurance that has additional benefits and not just compensation for damages. You also need to think about your employees and not just your office. Weigh your options carefully before getting an insurance policy.

Renovating your office doesn’t necessarily have to come in the way of your productivity. Use the tips mentioned here and your renovation will not be a hindrance to your employees.

Featured images:
  • License: Creative Commons image source
  • License: Creative Commons image source
  • License: Creative Commons image source
  • License: Creative Commons image source
  • License: Creative Commons image source
  • License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://openclipart.org/image/200px/svg_to_png/181617/insurance.png

The author of this post, Jim Yong, is a part of the team at The Caretakers, office partitioning in Perth. He likes to spend his weekends with his family at home.