Another Way Charities Can Put the Web to Work

To the Editor:

In “Charities Put the Web to Work,” The Chronicle correctly points out that the Internet is much more than “brochureware.” As with the for-profit sector, the non-profit sector is progressing in its use of the Internet.

At GuideStar (http://www.guidestar.org), we have gathered data on every group that the Internal Revenue Service has determined to be a 501(c)(3) organization into one central, comprehensive, and highly searchable resource for donors, beneficiaries, and non-profits themselves. Internet technology enables us to do so in a cost-effective manner.

The article correctly points out that there are those charities that “continue to resist the allure of the Internet whether for philosophical reasons, a lack of funds, or a lingering fear of technology.” By registering with GuideStar, no charity in America has to miss the opportunity to reach donors or beneficiaries via the Internet. Additionally, charities may enter a broad range of information on line about their missions, programs, accomplishments, goals, finances, links to their own Web sites, and much more — free of charge.

Furthermore, if a charity still has “a lingering fear of technology,” it can complete a paper copy of the GuideStar information form, and, for a $25 processing fee, GuideStar will input the information onto the Web. . . .

I hope that your excellent article, combined with this information, will insure that no American charities are missing out on the World-Wide Web.

Allison Brody
Director of Communications
GuideStar (Philanthropic Research Inc.)
Williamsburg, Va.