By Kelley Chambers
A Web site is a given for most businesses, but for a cash- strapped nonprofit organization, setting up a site can be a different story.
Oklahoma City-based Element Fusion, an Internet and Web products company, wants to help.
On Sept. 2 the company began a contest for Oklahoma nonprofits to make a case for why they should receive a free Web site.
"As our company has grown we wanted to increase the amount we were giving back," said Tim Wall, director of product marketing for Element Fusion.
The company has donated its Web services before, but this is the first time it has held a contest.
About 30 percent of the company's business is with nonprofits, and 20 percent of that is for church clients.
Since the competition was launched, Wall said they have already had some groups apply.
The winning nonprofit will receive a custom Web site that will be integrated with Element Fusion's content management system for one year so that the owner of the site can manage their own content.
The design package runs $1,995 and monthly charges can reach almost $200 a month.
After the first year the group can choose to continue as a paying client of Element Fusion.
Wall said the contest is open to nonprofits who have existing sites, as well as to those who don't.
"A lot of nonprofits have Web sites that maybe don't function the way they wish they did," Wall said. "We'd like to find an organization that really has some great ideas and would love to handle their own communications better but they just need the tools."
All submissions will be available on the Element Fusion site for the public to vote. The contest ends Sept. 26 and a winner will be announced in October.
One nonprofit that Element Fusion set up with a complimentary site already is the Make-A-Wish Oklahoma Chapter.
Katie Ray, volunteer manager with Make-A-Wish, said the group had a Web site but it was dated and difficult to use and update.
Through talks with Element Fusion earlier this year the group received a custom-designed Web site and hosting by Element Fusion for one year.
Ray said the group has used the site to communicate with donors, volunteers and to provide information on who is eligible for the program, which grants wishes to terminally ill children and youth.
"We use the Web site as a reference point for volunteers and donors," she said. "It's so much nicer for us to be able to make updates weekly and spread our message."
The site has also been used to provide board members with information in advance of meetings in an online format.
Ray said they have also seen a spike in referrals.
"Our referrals have gone up because we have been able to give a very clear definition of our mission," she said.
Wall said the company plans to continue the giveaway program to nonprofits once or twice a year and also learn about nonprofits they might not be aware exist.
"We wanted the community help us find the organizations we could contribute to," Wall said.
Originally published by Kelley Chambers.
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Source: Journal Record - Oklahoma City