We’ve joined a society of charities using Helium.com/partners to raise awareness about issues facing organizations across the United States. This is no blog site; it’s a community of citizen journalists and readers sharing their experience-based knowledge, wisdom and creativity.

Not only is our new Helium page a place to share your opinion on the latest hot topics, but it’s a place to donate and give back to your favorite causes.

You can get involved as a partner or freelance contributor. You can easily set up your articles to donate proceeds to ePhilanthropy as your identified charity of choice.

We invite you to join our community and participate in our online discussions, where your voice can be heard. Over 100,000 writers are passionately involved with the topics that mean the most to them. You can be next: www.helium.com.

Too many non-profit websites are making blunders that discourage donors from browsing, donating, volunteering or referring others to the site. Here are four common blunders, and how to avoid them.

The good news is that 62 percent of adults visit a non-profit's website before donating (according to a recent online survey conducted by Harris Interactive).

That's also the bad news.

For many non-profits, the quickest way they can scare away donors is to direct them to the organization's website. Too many non-profit websites are making blunders that discourage donors from browsing, donating, volunteering or referring others to the site. Here are four common blunders, and how to avoid them.

Did you know that Santa Claus, Indiana, receives more than one-half million letters and requests at Christmas time? Or that In a typical year, almost half of all cropland in Indiana is planted in corn? How about that the ePhilanthropy Foundation will present a content-driven four-hour training on April 30th? Indeed, all these facts are true. 

This classroom training is hosted by eTapestry

Sessions
Best Practices in Building and Sustaining Relationships Using the Internet
The Anatomy of an Effective E-Appeal: Breaking Through the Inbox Clutter
Major Donors Evolve from Everywhere: Internet Tools for Relations

Held at the United Way of Central Indiana Building on Wednesday, Apr. 30, 2008 from 8:30 AM  - 12:30 PM

Register today to reserve your seat!

ePhilanthropy is partnering with Quebec's leading nonprofit and e-fundraising agency, YABE, to bring the eTour to Montreal on Tuesday, April 15.

Join leading experts in ePhilanthropy as they present an exciting multi-lingual seminar at the beautiful Musee de la Point-a-Calliere in Old Montreal.

Register Today to reserve your seat!

At TechSoup, hundreds of leading technology products are available thanks to generous donations and discounts from corporate partners such as:

• Microsoft
• Cisco
• Intuit
• Adobe
• Symantec
• And more

TechSoup is also home of the Microsoft Software Donation Program. Our administrative fees are as low as 4% of retail value, with no membership fee. Since 2002, over 73,000 nonprofits across the United States and Canada have saved money thanks to donated and discounted software and hardware received through TechSoup (a nonprofit serving nonprofits).

Visit TechSoup: http://www.techsoup.org/go/ephil0108

Do you want to share your expertise with nonprofit professionals?

Blackbaud is looking for speakers for its 2008 Conferences for Nonprofits, taking place in the United States and Canada. We're seeking energetic speakers who are passionate about topics that resonate with nonprofit professionals. The deadline for submissions is March 31.

If you are interested in speaking at Blackbaud's 2008 Conferences, please follow this link to learn more and apply online.

http://www.blackbaud.com/events/bb_conf/speakerinfo.aspx?WT.mc_id=CCSP08TA6

Auctionpay brings the eTour back to Portland on Wednesday, April 23!  Join us for another great training in Oregon. 

Exciting new sessions taught by industry leaders:

 FREE trial! Call (800) 220-8111 or visit www.donorperfect.com

The Home Depot and Gifts In Kind International have partnered together to provide building and home improvement products to nonprofit organizations around the country this year. The Framing Hope product donation program matches nonprofits with Home Depot stores in their communities. Stores donated products to partner nonprofits during a 12-month period.

“We are grateful to be part of this program,” said Catalina Loeffler, a pilot program participant, in a recent interview. “We have received a wide variety of items including flooring materials, doors, screens, rugs, blinds, bath fixtures and much more, allowing us to help more people in our community.”

Registration information and eligibility requirements are available online.