Many Non-Profit organizations have taken advantage of an online presence to create awareness for their respective causes.  Some have done an excellent job,  while others may have not realized their potential.

I would like to acknowledge the following ten non-profit charity organizations that appear to go above and beyond to create an effective online presence and the reasons that I believe are behind their success (In no particular order).

1. Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation – A global leader of the breast cancer movement, the Susan G. Komen foundation is a network of breast cancer survivors and activists working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and research to find the cures.
   • Reasons Why:
     • Social Networking
     • Videos
     • Share Your Story
     • Community Message Boards
     • Online Store
2. Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation -  The foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy.
   • Reasons Why:
     • Social Networking
     • Community Forums
     • Blog
     • Videos
     • Share Your Story
     • Multiple Language Site Translation
3. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International -JDRF is the leader in research leading to a cure for type 1 diabetes in the world.  It sets the global agenda for diabetes research, and is the largest charitable funder and advocate of diabetes science worldwide.
   • Reasons Why:
     • Juvenation (Social Network developed by JDRF)
     • Kids Online Interactive Community
     • Online Diabetes Support Team
     • Other Social Networking
     • Webcasts
4. Epilepsy Foundation -  The Epilepsy Foundation is a vigorous advocate for people with epilepsy. The Foundation has been active in Congress, the executive branch, and the courts, focusing attention on the needs of those with epilepsy.
   • Reasons Why:
     • eCommunities (Social Network developed by Epilepsy Foundation)
     • Heroes Among us (Visitors can tell their story)
     • Videos
     • Online Store
     • Specific Sections for Teens, Women, Parents, Seniors and Children
5. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital -  The hospital is one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer research centers. Its mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.
   • Reasons Why:
     • Social Networking
     • Interactive Multimedia
     • Medical Minutes (Audio Presentation)
6. The Nature Conservancy – The leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.
   • Reasons Why:
     • Social Networking
     • Blog
     • Interactive Multimedia (Videos, Audio/Podcasts, Photos, eCards)
     • My Nature Page Community Platform
     • Interactive Maps
7. American Heart Association – The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is: “Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.”
   • Reasons Why:
     • Social Networking
     • Specialized Online Communities
     • Heart Profilers (Onlie Decision Tools)
     • Online Wellness Center
     • Stories of Hope
     • Videos
     • Free Walking Plans
     • Create a Memorial or Tribute Web Page
8. PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, with more than 2.0 million members and supporters, is the largest animal rights organization in the world. PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry.
   • Reasons Why:
     • Social Networking
     • Blog
     • Multimedia
     • Forums
     • Interactive Site for Kids
     • Peta TV Channel
9. Arthritis Foundation - The Arthritis Foundation is the only national not-for-profit organization that supports the more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions.  The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $380 million in research grants since 1948. The foundation helps people take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis.
   • Reasons Why:
     • Social Networking
     • Hope Through Heroes
     • Videos
     • RAConnect Interactive Community
     • Blog
10. National Multiple Sclerosis Society -  The National MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now—to move together toward a world free of multiple sclerosis.  The Society helps people affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.
    • Reasons Why:
      • Social Networking
      • Blog
      • Online Chat
      • Message Boards
      • FaceofMS.org (Share Your Story)
      • Interactive Multimedia (Webcasts, Podcasts, & Video Clips)

The main thing I noticed from all the above non-profit organizations is that each site keeps the community involved through interaction. All sites have utilized social networking and some have even created their own social networks and specialized online communities and forums.  Many have created blogs, utilized multimedia (videos, webcasts, podcasts, & audio clips) and invite users to share their personal stories through branded channels. Some organizations have even created online interactive tools to keep the user or visitor engaged within the site. Last of all, some have created interactive sites specifically for kids to engage them on their respective causes.

If you are a non-profit organization and are not engaging your users as much as you would like through the various interactive mediums mentioned above, I strongly recommend that you take a close look at these ideas to help enhance your online presence and create more awareness of your respective cause.

Do you know of a non-profit organization that has gone above and beyond to create that ultimate online presence? We would like to hear from you. Please comment below with the name of the organization, website and reasons why you think they make the mark.

Ankush Agarwal
Senior Search Marketing Analyst
MarketNet, Inc.