NPower--Consumer Guide to Online Donations Engines
NPower’s consumer guide provides guidance on whether an organization should engineer its own online donations mechanism or outsource to a third party, and includes an article on key things to consider in setting up a donations mechanism. Best of all, the site provides a consumer guide to online donations engines, which includes responses to key questions asked of nineteen leading providers of online donations processing services.

Benton Foundation--Best Practices Toolkit on Funders Supportive of Communications Technology
The Benton Foundation has prepared this collection of funding information and nonprofit support opportunities with a national scope to help organizations find the fundraising resources they need for technology initiatives.

Foundation Center
The Foundation Center is an independent national service organization whose mission is to support and improve institutional philanthropy by promoting public understanding of the field and helping grant-seekers succeed. The Foundation Center provides print, CD-ROM, and online resources to help grant-seekers identify appropriate funders and develop targeted proposals. The Center maintains a database on foundations and corporate giving; provides free and fee-based educational and training programs; and tracks and analyzes trends in foundation growth and giving. The Center publishes a number of directories, guides and reports, including its free newsletter, Philanthropy News Digest, and the classic reference work FC Search: The Foundation Center’s Database on CD-ROM, The Foundation Directory--available on CD-ROM, online and in print.

"Funding Technology" [pdf file]
In an article originally published in the Spring 2001 issue of Management Information Exchange Journal, Hugh Calkins interviews the leaders of three legal services organizations (Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Minnesota Legal Services Coalition, and the Legal Aid Society of Orange County California) about their successful programs funding technology.

"So What’s the Real Cost of Technology?"
This article by Marc Osten, originally published in The Nonprofit Quarterly (Vol. 7 Issue 3), examines the many different components of owning and operating technology and offers suggestions for determining the total cost of ownership (TCO).

For resources on fundraising software packages, refer to the Software section.

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)--Internet Transaction Guidelines
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) promulgated these guidelines in 2000 to provide basic guidance for AFP members and others considering engaging the services of an online or similar service provider. The seven broad online transaction categories are charity malls/affinity programs, online financial contributions, corporate giving programs, auction sites, cause-related portals; online volunteering, and venture philanthropy.

Benton Foundation--Current Trends in Fundraising
A slightly different take on online fundraising, this section looks at current trends in funding for communications efforts and is aimed at helping organizations "see how communications technology can and must be incorporated into their overall operations to better advance their mission."

Benton Foundation--Online Fundraising
Another respectable list of annotated Internet resources by the Benton Foundation--this one on online fundraising.

Craver, Mathews, Smith & Co.--Study of Attitudes Toward Online Giving and Advocacy
CMS Interactive, a division of marketing and fundraising consultants Craver, Mathews, Smith & Co. (CMS), conducted this 1999 study called "Socially Engaged Internet Users: Prospects for Online Philanthropy and Activism," which examines the potential for online donations to activist groups by a pool of "socially engaged Internet users." The study indicated that about 25 percent of adults in the U.S. have gotten involved in social causes and are on the Internet, making them potential donors or volunteers for groups with an Internet presence.

CYBERGIFTS [online discussion group]
This discussion list is open to any person who shares an interest in any aspect of charitable fund raising over the Internet, particularly officers, directors, and staff of nonprofit organizations, Internet consultants and other professionals who advise nonprofit organizations, and those who have developed for-profit fundraising sites for the nonprofit community. It is also suitable for those with an interest in the law and ethics of tax-exempt organizations as these topics relate to interstate, inter-provincial, and/or international fundraising over the Internet.

Fundraising on the Internet: Recruiting and Renewing Donors Online [book]
Book published by Strathmoor Press in 1997 and written by Nick Allen and Mal Warwick.

"How Can We Use the Internet for Fundraising?"
This article by Eric Mercer answers frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the use of online fundraising by nonprofits. Available at the Internet Nonprofit Center web site, the article is a comprehensive resource that covers a variety of online fundraising strategies--such as the use of e-mail, mailing lists and online auctions and banners--and is replete with links to practical resources such as professional fundraising organizations and legal, financial and tax information.

Internet Nonprofits Center--Resources for Fundraising Online
This list of online fundraising resources compiled by Putnam Barber is updated frequently and an ideal starting point for further research on the topic. Information was originally supplied from posts to the cyber-accountability and CYBERGIFTS mailing lists.

Michael Stein’s Directory of Online Fundraising Resources
An ample compilation of briefly annotated resources by Michael Stein, an Internet consultant specializing in online fundraising who works with nonprofits and is co-author of several books about the Internet including Fundraising on the Internet: Recruiting and Renewing Donors Online, with Nick Allen and Mal Warwick, published in 1997.

The Fundraiser’s Guide to the Internet [book]
Book published by John Wiley & Sons in October 1998 and written by Michael W. Johnston.

The Nonprofit Guide to the Internet: How to Survive and Thrive [book]
Book published by John Wiley & Sons in April 1999 and written by Michael W. Johnston.

The Wilder Nonprofit Field Guide to Fundraising on the Internet [book]
Book published by the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation in 1999 and written by Gary Grobman and Gary B. Grant.

Using Online Auctions for Fundraising
Offers auction consulting services, auction software for managing the auction process, and a guidebook called "Going...Going...Gone!" which is designed to take nonprofits step-by-step through the online auction process.