2005 NCPC Program Highlights

March 18, 2005

e-Philanthropy — Making the Internet Work for You

On March 18th, David B. Gillig, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of Children’s Hospital Foundation, talked to the North County Philanthropy Council about the importance of nonprofit agencies having a strong presence on the Internet. NCPC thanks him for his informative and timely presentation.

‘What’s the best way to ground a teenage girl today?” asks David B. Gillig, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of Children’s Hospital Foundation.

He paused and scanned the audience for knowing looks from parents. He then gave the answer, “Take away her
Instant Messenger.”

To give some perspective he added, “In 1990 it would have been her phone.”

Gillig compares the change in adolescent discipline to illustrate how much and how quickly technology has changed and affects our everyday life.

Use of the Internet continues to grow exponentially. Remarkably, the fastest increase of use is in the 65 years and older population. Most households now have computers and use them daily.

Online shopping has mushroomed over the last few years. Online retail sales measured a whopping $54.9 billion last year.

What does this mean for nonprofits and fund raising? Gillig pointed out that how people shop online is how donors decide where to give their money. Generally speaking, people research products, cars and services online, but actually buy offline. A study by one research firm showed that for every dollar spent online, $3.30 is generated offline.

So having an informative, well-designed and easy-to-use Web site is more important than ever for businesses and nonprofit agencies.

“People do not have ‘philanthropic moments,’” quipped
Gillig, referring to the way people use the Internet. People
don’t just randomly surf the Web. “You are going to go where you want to go. You have a purpose.”