Bits: a Volunteerism Newsletter and Financial Help

* Impact Online, a Palo Alto, Cal., non-profit group that hopes to use the Internet to spur volunteer service, has created a free monthly newsletter to publicize opportunities that allow people to use their computers to help a charity. To subscribe: Send an e-mail message to majordomo@impactonline.org with the words “subscribe news” and your e-mail address. Include no other words or punctuation in the body of the e-mail. For more information, contact Jayne Cravens, manager of Impact Online’s Virtual Volunteering program, at (512) 440-0835, or send e-mail to jayne@impactonline.org.

* OMB Watch’s Nonprofits and Technology Project (http://ombwatch.org/www/ombw/npt) is offering financial support to groups that are trying to use technology to influence public policy. The organization will make seven awards — six for $1,000 and one for $3,000 — to recognize innovative uses of technology in on-line organizing and education efforts. The deadline for nominations is May 15. OMB Watch is also offering grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to help pay for on-line advocacy efforts. The deadline for proposals is June 1. For more information, contact OMB Watch, 1742 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington 20009; (202) 234-8494.