Facebook is launching a resource center to help non-profits use the social network. The site will include educational materials, tutorials and a downloadable non-profit guide geared toward raising awareness and funds for causes specifically through the social network.
A “Get Started” section offers quick tips on how to create a Facebook Page and explains how to set up events and use discussion boards to connect with an audience. The Guide has more general advice like “Be Personal and Educational” or “Use Tools to Increase Relevance” along with mini-spotlights on Facebook features such as targeted ads and Like boxes.
The Resource Center will also include a spotlight section for successful non-profits and a success stories app where Facebook will showcase best practices and try to build a community around shared stories and advice. The main news feed features regular non-profit news and announcements, and the Resource Center has already tapped companies like (RED), UNICEF-USA and Water.org to share their success stories and experience with the community.
The resource center is clearly meant to provide non-profits tools, but it’s also a sign that Facebook is taking social good seriously. Facebook has been a home to online philanthropy for some time, but it is not the only game in town. It would be nice to see Facebook expand its resource center the same way that Google did with its non-profit page. It’s important from a business perspective to establish Facebook as a hub for non-profits online, but ultimately the cause — and social good — should come first.
The page has already raked in more than 410,000 Likes and only seems to be growing. Has social good hit the mainstream? Should more companies create resource centers?
No comments:
Post a Comment