Social Media for Community Development and Affordable Housing Nonprofits

So you started a Facebook page and created a Twitter handle for your community development organization, how can you use them to market and fundraise for your services? This page provides resources and examples of effective social media, to help your community development organization meet its core business goals.

Visibility and Marketing

• Introduction to SEO Search engine optimization
• LinkedIn: creating a company page. Click here.
• 2011 NeighborWorks Training Institute Social Media Workshop powerpoint.
  

Fundraising
Its not about just promoting your successes…Its about celebrating the success of your donors, staff, volunteers and community at large. In doing so, you will inspire further fundraising and volunteer efforts as you create a sense of community online.
The key is connecting and empowering those who are already talking about your cause.

• Online fundraising plan: Enterprise Community Partners example click here.
• BigDuck: Engaging Your Supporters with Online Actions
• Facebook apps: Causes www.causes.com
• Crowdrise online fundraising pages.
  

Peer Networking
Spread the word about your programs and share information at the same time. Build relationships within the affordable housing social media community and you'll never run out of creative information to post.

• Leaders for Communities
• NeighborWorks Network LinkedIn Group
• Affordable Housing LinkedIn Group
• Sustainable Communities LinkedIn Group
  

Community Organizing

• SeeClickFix.com Report community issues and see them get fixed, promoting resident engagement
• Neighbors for Neighbors community Ning site
• Make Your Volunteer Events More ‘Social’ Via Online Networks Read Blog.
  

Links to Additional Resources

• Social media policy example| NeighborWorks America Social Media Policy
• Smart Communications for Nonprofits | Big Duck
• Timing Matters: What times to post to Facebook and Twitter are most effective? Click here.
• Nonprofit Technology Community | NTEN
• Beth's blog | How Networked Nonprofits Are Using Social Media to Power Change
• Social Media News and Web Tips | Mashable.com
• Social Media Impact video| Socialnomics.net
• The Case Foundation | Social Media 101