WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Although somewhat behind the curve, many local nonprofits are clueing in to the use of blogs as a way to reach out to younger donors and volunteers.

“It’s all been very recent,” said Marjorie Sims, vice president of programs and operations at The Women’s Foundation, a D.C.-based nonprofit working to increase the number of women that donate to charities.

The organization launched a redesigned Web site just last month that included a section for blogging. The page has already become the most popular one on the site, Sims said. Board members and Women’s Foundation staff blog about the organization’s fundraising efforts and female-focused issues, a strategy Sims hopes will bring unlikely donors to the table.

“Our typical donor is probably a woman between the ages of early 40s to 60s who may not be online as much for personal use as younger people are,” she said. “So we really have the strategy of being where our (typical) donor isn’t.”

The local chapter of The Arthritis Foundation also recently launched a blog on its Web site. The blog has been helpful in reaching out to younger Arthritis sufferers who may not realize the condition is common among people under 65.

“There are young people with arthritis and frankly that’s how they communicate,” said Calaneet Balas, president and chief executive officer of the Arthritis Foundation.

The foundation’s page also includes message boards and a section where visitors can set up profiles similar to MySpace.

The Bivings Group, a D.C.-based online communications firm, designed the new Web site for The Women’s Foundation and has plans to launch a similar blog-focused site for The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project.

Todd Zeigler, senior vice president of The Bivings Group, said using the blogosphere is a good fit for nonprofits.

“Nonprofits are small and their budgets are strapped,” Zeigler said. “The technology is accessible ... (for nonprofits) trying to raise money or build awareness around their issues. Using blogs is a way to really connect with people.”

kwilmeth@dcexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

12:16 PM MST on Tue., May. 13, 2008 re: "City opens arms to small businesses"

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Conscientious observer - you are an idiot and deserve what happened to you.

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2:24 PM MST on Mon., Apr. 14, 2008 re: "Home Depot drops South City proposal"

Conscientious Observer said:
A 'heads up' for those men who may be regular Home Depot customers. Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends. Here's how the scam works: Two seriously good-looking 25-28 year-old girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping into the trunk. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. It is impossible not to look. When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' and instead ask you for a ride to another Home Depot. You agree and they get in the backseat. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet. I had my wallet stolen April 4th, 9th, 10th & twice on the

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8:24 PM MST on Sun., Feb. 3, 2008 re: "Southwest Airlines brings low-cost flights to Dulles"

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Are there flights out of MacArthur Airport on Long Island New York to Washington Dulles

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3:29 PM MST on Sat., Feb. 2, 2008 re: "A complaint about delivery of The Baltimore Examiner"

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I understand that we should not choose a President based on his religious beliefs,but tell me---how can we support a President in defending our country when he doesn"t even believe in pledging allegiance to it!!!!?????

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9:31 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 31, 2008 re: "New alarm aimed at fighting construction theft"

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The Dewalt system is good for notification but the alarm only sounds for 20 seconds and shuts off. The alarm is not loud at all if it were in the middle of a large job site nobody would hear it.

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9:20 PM MST on Sun., Dec. 30, 2007 re: "Celsion CEO resigns as firm deals to retain market listing"

Makis said:
Nice!

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10:19 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 19, 2007 re: "Harford County fighting the battle of Fort Monmouth"

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I can't believe Fort Monmouth has a bunch of whinos have they ever heard of commuting on the Acela from New Jersey every morning my guess is no.

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10:39 AM MST on Wed., Dec. 12, 2007 re: "Hale keeps his focus on achieving success"

Examiner Reader said:
Ed Hale is a real inspiration. He's the perfect model of the American dream. LL Detroit

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12:06 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Harford County fighting the battle of Fort Monmouth"

Examiner Reader said:
fort monmouth should close down! it's a waste of tax payers money. (civilian employee's have 2 hour lunch breaks, there is so much infidelity going on there, sex in parking lot, etc) The come and go as they please, and we the tax payers pay for this. Put the money where it is needed, in defense!

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