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Preface NonProfit America (NPA) began with an ambitious concept paper laying out a comprehensive vision to improve communications linkages within the nonprofit sector to strengthen public policy participation. The organizations engaged in planning for NPA have concluded, on the basis of the results of our various research and planning efforts, that NPA as this grand concept should be retired. We are agreed, however, that specific components should be pursued by an assortment of nonprofits. The first chapter of this report provides our vision of what should be pursued. The ideas are based on OMB Watch research findings during the NonProfit America (NPA) planning phase. At the heart of our recommendations are three elements: (a) Develop “coordination” tools to improve communications linkages; (b) Strengthen technology skills-building activities; and (c) Initiate a series of pilots to test different applications of newer technologies in the context of public policy matters. Each are described in the chapter. The second chapter provides an analysis of comments from nonprofits about NonProfit America and their capacity to use newer information technologies. The third chapter provides a summary of the work of the Technology Advisory Committee, which was convened by OMB Watch to provide ideas about shaping NPA. The final chapter describes the planning for the US NonProfit Gateway, which is a one-stop Web site operated by the federal government to give nonprofits access to government information. The chapter also describes a pilot in Ohio to create an online conference on the impact of devolution on nonprofits. The Ohio pilot was led by the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations. This report and all research activity on NonProfit America would not have been possible without support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. We would like to thank Bill White, Suzanne Feurt, and Gavin Clabaugh of the Mott Foundation for their active engagement in this project. We also want to thank our partners that were involved in NPA planning: the Forum of Regional Association of Grantmakers, Independent Sector, National Council of Nonprofit Associations, and The Union Institute. The Technology Advisory Committee (TAC), described in this report, played an important role in our deliberations and an invaluable role in the NPA process. The TAC members are listed at the end of chapter three. In addition, we want to thank the many nonprofit organizations that helped us during this project. And, finally, we want to thank Patricia Bauman for her thoughtful reading of this report in draft, and all the other readers (many of whom are acknowledged above) who gave us their thoughtful comments and careful proofreadings. The OMB Watch staff who worked on this project included Gary Bass, Patrice McDermott, Tom Freebairn, Shannon Harry (who now works for the National Council of Nonprofit Associations), and Ari Schwartz. Heather Hamilton, Jennifer Grayson, Barbara Western, and Jennifer LaPointe also provided help at various points. Terry Grunwald of NCexChange also helped with conducting interviews. David Maywhoor of the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations deserves a pat on the back for his willingness to lead a pilot on use of the Internet even as he was learning to use it himself. And, finally, we want to thank Doris Matsui of the White House Office of Public Liaison and all agency staff participating in the development of the US NonProfit Gateway. Without your work, the prototype of the Gateway would not have been developed. Further information about this project can be found on OMB Watch’s web site. May 1997
Table of Contents Chapter I: OMB Watch’s Vision of Communications and Collaboration 7 This chapter describes a plan for coordinating communications linkages within the nonprofit sector in order to improve public policy participation. The key building blocks include: (a) tools for coordinating communications linkages; (b) building the skills of nonprofits to use information technologies; and (c) creating a series of pilots. Chapter II: OMB Watch NonProfit America Survey Research and Interviews 31 This chapter summarizes the findings from: (a) a survey of roughly 600 nonprofits from around the country; and (b) interviews and discussions with roughly 100 nonprofits, most of which were national organizations. The research focused on the need for NonProfit America, how it should be shaped if it moved forward, the capacity of nonprofits to use newer information technologies, and how nonprofits perceived the value of newer technologies in encouraging greater public policy participation. Chapter III: Technology Advisory Committee 57 This chapter summarizes the work of the TAC, an advisory group convened by OMB Watch to suggest communications strategies for implementing NonProfit America. Four commissioned papers are summarized and the votes on TAC recommendations presented. Chapter IV: Other Planning Activities (US NonProfit Gateway & Ohio Pilot Project) 77 This chapter describes two projects undertaken during the NPA planning period. The US NonProfit Gateway, is a federal government Web site for nonprofit organizations to get easy access to agency information about grants, regulations, and other materials. The Web prototype is available for testing at: . The Ohio pilot was an online discussion about the impact of devolution on nonprofit organizations. Led by the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations, roughly 100 groups participated, including congressional and White House staff. Appendix: OMB Watch’s Involvement with NonProfit America 93 A discussion of why OMB Watch was involved with NPA and what our C.S. Mott Foundation grant required. OMB Watch — May 1997 • 5
Page 2: About OMB Watch OMB Watch is a nonp
Page 7 and 8: Chapter I OMB Watch’s Vision of C
Page 9 and 10: engaging in relevant public policy
Page 11 and 12: r r quiring a new organization, doe
Page 13 and 14: database of names or about a recrui
Page 15 and 16: We also recommend that OMB Watch co
Page 17 and 18: ❐ ❐ Use of “circuit riders”
Page 19 and 20: information technologies can help t
Page 21 and 22: All three types of pilots — appli
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Page 33 and 34: indicated that the coordination mat
Page 35 and 36: Interviews and Discussions From Aug
Page 37 and 38: Survey Respondents by Staff Size Pe
Page 39 and 40: Building Linkages Between and Among
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"Test as you go. Show in 3 or 4 are
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Perception of Slant and Issues of "
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Chapter III Technology Advisory Com
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semination, by John Chelen and Mars
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Facilitating Information Flow Marsh
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Other Outreach Objectives: ❐ To i
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and coordinating the training and w
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❐ Preemption and displacement of
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System Design — John Chelen, Unis
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3. The database should be developed
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5. Hosting the Trainings. Important
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Information Hubs — Chris Sullivan
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Chapter IV Other Planning Activitie
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The nonprofit users. We chose to in
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r Reach out to the nonprofit sector
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OMB Watch — May 1997 • 83
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OMB Watch — May 1997 • 85
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Planning Phase OANO convened a plan
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B. Is there a need for uniform gran
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Implementation Phase Nonprofit orga
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Appendix OMB Watch’s Involvement
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few organizations. Included in the
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