Nonprofits can finally use Facebook features specifically tailored to their needs with new tools that not only enhance the utility of nonprofits for Facebook users, but for organizations that use it to promote their philanthropic causes.
In an official statement released on Nov. 18, the social media company announced that it began exploring fundraising aids as early as 2013.
"As a company we have also partnered with organizations to create donation campaigns after major natural disasters, like the Nepal earthquake," the company stated, "and we hope these new tools will help these groups do even more."
The new features come in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Beirut, Paris and Kenya — all of which saw an outpouring of support and solidarity from users for and with the victims and their mourning compatriots, as well philanthropic efforts from the social media site, from French tricolor Facebook photos to check-in apps for users to let loved ones know that they were safe.
One of the major socially conscious-oriented implementations on the social site is the "fundraiser" tool, which lets nonprofits create campaigns akin to those on Kickstarter. On these campaign pages, users can track donations collected, connect to supporters and essentially "market" their specific cause. Examples of possible Facebook fundraisers include "year-end drives, themed campaigns and special projects," which the site suggested in its launch statement.
Aside from the new features, Facebook has also improved its "donate" button, which now lets users give charity to various causes and organizations without leaving the website.
Currently, Facebook is working with 37 different nonprofit partners (including Mercy Corps, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and World Wildlife Fund) to test out the tools, all while keeping in mind opportunities to expand its scope in the near future.
As for the impetus of implementing the new tools and updated donate feature?
"People raise money for disaster relief, they search for missing children, and they bring attention to the issues they care about," said Facebook in a statement. "We've seen from our community that when people take action, lives are changed. We know we can do more to enable these connections."
Via: Facebook
