About CharityChannel

CharityChannel is a resource that connects you to your nonprofit colleagues around the corner and around the world. Our Purpose: To foster a place where nonprofit professionals can learn from each other, share information and work together to advance the cause of philanthropy.

The CharityChannel community is comprised of nonprofit-sector professionals from around the world who volunteer their time, advice, information, tips and articles for the benefit of the community.

Who Comprises the CharityChannel Community?

CharityChannel is comprised of:

• Individuals from small and large, new and established, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. Members either join as individuals, or have their membership fees covered by their employer. A sizable number of members are part of groups – either workgroups within organizations or entire organizations – that have joined under the special group rates available.

• Individuals from regional, national and international nonprofit organizations.

• Individuals just starting out in the nonprofit sector and others who have been part of the sector for years.

• Participants are predominantly from the U.S. and Canada nonprofit and educational community, but include sizable participation from NGO colleagues from every continent of the planet, even Antarctica.

• Directors, managers, development officers, major gift officers, fundraisers, grant writers, foundations, volunteers, visionaries, consultants, speakers, news media, authors, and more.

History

CharityChannel was founded in 1992 by Stephen Nill, who saw a need for colleagues to connect, share and discuss pertinent challenges and issues.

It was started as one email-based discussion forum – CHARITYTALK – which is still one of the more active discussion communities of CharityChannel. As the professional community grew, so did CharityChannel. With well over 100,000 participants, CharityChannel rolled out its new web site in March, 2008. The new site, built atop the CharityChannel Framework™, is designed to enable nearly instant creation of features and content sections according to the rapidly expanding needs of the CharityChannel professional community.

From 1992 until late 2003, CharityChannel resources were available to any nonprofit individual or organization at no cost. In late 2003, a small fee was implemented, based on the honor system. The fee covered the expenses incurred to keep this resource available to the nonprofit community.

Future

In March, 2008, CharityChannel left behind the honor system, but kept the annual membership fee very low, at $37usd. It added an on-line registration system that provides instant membership and access to the web site. 

The change was made to accomplish the following:

• Provide a higher assurance to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions that participation in the CharityChannel professional community is safe, secure and fully supported.

• Enable entire organizations and work groups to join at significantly-discounted group rates.

• Expand, enrich and yet simplify participation on CharityChannel.

• Raise the bar on professional-level discussion and collaboration.

• Enable the continued expansion of CharityChannel, both in its online presence as well as its conferences and sponsored professional meetings.

• Expand the CharityUniversity™ system and class offerings.