1. What is TexasNonprofits.org?
TXNP strengthens Texas communities by providing up-to-date data and other resources and support via the Internet to help build stronger and bigger nonprofits that can perform and operate professionally, efficiently, and with greater accountability; TXNP also strives to facilitate and encourage connections between charitable causes and potential contributors.
When you get right down to it, TXNP is building community deep in the hearts of Texans.
Today TXNP has grown to be the number one nonprofit portal in Texas with over 180,000 unique visitors measured in the last few years, and up to 1,100,000 hits per month. We provide the nonprofit community valuable information to increase the ability for nonprofits to thrive and continue good works in Texas. Beretta calls it "data with a heart".... consisting of profiles full of stories of the passion and goals of funders.
TexasNonprofits.org is a unique web portal that provides data that facilitates connections between the 80,000+ nonprofit organizations with the 4,500+ charitable foundations in the state of Texas, major corporations and philanthropic individuals.
20%-40% of a nonprofits time and money is spent researching and applying for grants from generous foundations. Foundations have very specific criteria for which they grant money and very specific guidelines for the proposal process.
www.txnp.org facilitates the giving and receiving process for our Basic and Premium members, saving nonprofits time and money and saving the foundations from an avalanche of inappropriate requests.
With cuts in social services at the federal and state levels the responsibility of taking care of the most needy in Texas will fall to foundations, faith-based organizations, corporations and individuals. Texasnonprofits is a place that streamlines all their efforts.
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2. How is TXNP different from other organizations, such as CNMDallas, Texasnetwork.org, BoardSource, NPRC, the Alliance, the Foundation Center, etc?
TXNP is a Web-based resource of information specific to disseminating information about Texas nonprofits, foundations, individuals and corporations.
The other organizations offer in-person services, such as consulting, computer classes and meeting spaces. Some do provide directories, but we believe those offerings are secondary to their consulting services.
TXNP is specific to Texas but includes information on the top 50 national foundatons that give in Texas.
TXNP provides editorial coverage of various aspects of philanthropy for its' members.
TXNP utilizes technology (the Internet) to disseminate its information.
TXNP is affordable, with memberships starting at $179 per organization.
TXNP is unique from any other information service providers in that the TXNP Databases of foundations and nonprofits are updated and improved every single day by staff members.
3. Who founded TXNP?
The Founder and CEO of TexasNonprofits.org is Jackie Beretta. Beretta has spent the better part of 9 years building, populating and maintaining the database site.
Today TexasNonprofits is run by the Social Responsiblity Corporation, a tax-exempt 501 c 3, located in San Antonio, Texas.
4. When was it founded?
Texasnonprofits® began collecting information in the Spring of 2000 from a large community of Texas nonprofits, philanthropists, and foundations to create a Web site for the state's nonprofit community. The first generation site was launched in April 2001; and the second, more dynamic data base driven site was launched in February 2003. A third version of the site debuted in 2005. And finally in October 2006 a new and improved site with expanded services debuted. In May 2007, a new Detailed Grants database was introduced to simplify the fundraising process and save time.
5. Why was it founded?
Beretta saw gaps in the marketplace - a technology gap and a gap between donors and charitable causes. TXNP was designed to fill the gap, deliver current and up to date resource tools in a fast and efficient way, and make valuable connections between donors and nonprofits.
There was a time where we fell into the trap of give a man a fish and feed him for a day versus teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. So we chose to change our model to teaching people how to fish, but we saw the opportunity to use technology to help nonprofits learn how to fish better. Basic and Premium Members of TexasNonprofits benefit from being part of the TXNP family.
We also wanted to create a community of shared values where people could tell success stories and build relationships that lead to greater participation and transformation. Every day we take small steps to solve big problems. And every day we believe in sharing positive news about the good works in Texas.
In February 2007 TXNP hosted it's first event titled The "State" of Education in Texas. About 200 educators, funders, corporations, and concerned citizens gathered to hear Dr. Mike Moses, Dr. Bill Reaves, Dr. Steve Murdock, and Valleau Wilke speak on current trends and needs in education in Texas. On February 7, 2008, the event will again be held featuring Tom Luce.
The second event will have a formal name: Learning about Learning, and will be held on February 7th, 2008 in San Antonio.
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6. How is it staffed?
TXNP has 8 full and part time employees, volunteers and interns. A technologist, graphic designer, data entry personel, and writers. Most staff are remote and commmunicate via the Internet.
7. Why did you form an advisory board?
The formation of the Texas Think Tank is significant in order to get TXNP to the next level. The next level includes:
· Improving nonprofit capabilities
· Facilitating the grant search process
· Implementing proven methods to encourage corporate philanthropy
· Expanding the reach of Foundations' giving in Texas
· Fostering multiple levels of collaboration
· We have begun to solicit corporate sponsorships to add another element to the web site
Think Tank Advisory Board Members:
Jacqueline Beretta - Editor and Publisher of Txnp.org, Beretta Foundation - San Antonio
Ronald K. Calgaard - The Ellison Grandchildren's Trust - San Antonio
Bruce Esterline - Vice President for Grants for the Meadows Foundation - Dallas
Sandra Gilliland - President of the Gilliland Family Foundation - Amarillo
Marion Therese Lee -Principal, Bacon Lee & Associates - San Antonio
Maggie McCarthy - Waco
Curtis Meadows - Of Counsel - Thompson & Knight, LLP - Dallas
Dr. Steve Murdock - State Demographer of Texas, Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair in Management Science and Statistics at The University of Texas at San Antonio
Dr. Bill Reaves - Executive Director of the Center for Research, Evaluation & Advancement of Teacher Education - The Woodlands
Ben Rodriguez - President of Management Business Advisors - San Antonio
Fred Smith - President of the Fourth Partner Foundation - Tyler
Graham Weston - CEO Rackspace - San Antonio
Valleau Wilkie - Executive Director of the Sid Richardson Foundation - Fort Worth
9. How does TXNP measure it growth?
We measure our success and growth by number of interactions that take place within and because of our database. The more grant searches that are taking place the more likely people are out there requesting valid grants. The more event calendar listings that are entered and searched, the more likely people are attending nonprofit functions that support the community.
Every time activity on our site increases, there is a positive benefit to the nonprofit community taking place. The same goes for in-kind donations, volunteers and RFPs. In August 2004 we first enjoyed over 1,000,000 hits.
And actually, the more nonprofits read and apply the lessons we teach in our articles, the more free education they are receiving to do business in a more effective way.
With corporate underwriting TXNP will be able to grow to serve the community of Texas better. Corporate support helps us improve each of these services that we provide, and keeps prices low to the nonprofit community.
As corporate support increases, our ability to deliver new and better services increases.
TXNP has a combined readership of individuals, foundations, nonprofits, corporations, and buisness professionals from all over the world.
10. How does it benefit nonprofits?
TXNP wants to help nonprofits access more resources in more efficient ways. TXNP connects them to potential donors, volunteers, job seekers, in-kind donations that might be available. TXNP also publicizes their events and their unique stories drawing attention to the contribution they are making in their respective communities and in so doing, help them find more supporters.
Great innovation and creativity comes from both large and small nonprofits – we are trying to give them both a hand up by furnishing critical information to help them in their process.
But there is more. The ability to access the free areas of our site are of huge benefit to our nonprofit community. There are many requests for In-Kind items – from SAMM Ministries to The Animal Defense League; many Volunteer Opportunities in Texas listed on the site; and job opps listed as well. We have an event calendar is full of interesting activities from classes, conferences to galas and exhibits!
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11. How does it benefit foundations?
TXNP has a unique connection with foundations in the state. TXNP helps foundations receive more appropriate grant requests. It publicizes their unique contributions to the community by publishing their success stories.
TXNP provides the resources that foundations need to be successful in their process. We provide a list of all 501 c 3 charitable entities in Texas so that Foundations can verify legitimacy. We also provide information on the other foundations that are interested in the same areas so that collaborative efforts may be formed.
Understanding the unique wishes of the founders, as well as the current goals of the foundations is all relelvant to understand donors wishes and missions.
TXNP has translated many complex requirements into a systematic and understandable process that can more easily be followed by nonprofits. The foundation profiles are updated often signaling to the nonprofit community current funding patterns and priorities, so that if a foundation changes course and is temporarily not funding, TXNP can release that information. This saves both the foundation and nonprofits huge amounts of time and dollars.
12. How will it benefit corporations?
Business must be more than just a return on investment – they must be sensitive to the environment and communities they serve.
Corporations must be civically engaged in the communities they serve and recognize the value of social responsibility.
Corporate giving is often highly fragmented and difficult to understand. TXNP has begun an effort to rationalize the process similar to the way we rationalized the foundation process.
Goodwill is priceless corporations need to be recognized for the good works they contribute to our communities. Many times corporations have volunteer and mentorship efforts that are active in various communities – it is beneficial for the nonprofits to know about these efforts.
13. General comments
We also have a professional advisor section on the site.
We are public benefactors donors, npos, and the surrounding community of professionals, business, and individuals we all must do our part to make sure that democracy thrives. We must act proactively - we cannot live in a mode of reaction
With cuts in social services at the federal and state levels the responsibility of taking care of the most needy in Texas will fall to foundations, faith-based organizations, corporations and individuals. Texasnonprofits is a place that streamlines all their efforts.
Without a responsible point of view in regard to social investing democracy will not continue to flourish. In the early 1800's, A French traveler named Alexis de Toqueville, author of Democracy in America, came to the United States and was fascinated to see groups of Americans of all ages, and stations in life, forming associations – uniting in a common goal to care for the poor and disenfranchised. The Americans realized that in order to progress all levels were dependent on all the others. When people have a right to and take advantage of the right to unite so many great things can be accomplished. Nonprofits address the issues of humanity and play a role in securing democracy and rights for all Americans.
JOIN TXNP and connect with the charitable community of Texas.
