I don't know if this has already been suggested, but I would love to see a govt website created specifically for non-profits. There are so many websites available that it is just information overload. An easy to use website which assists non-profits with grants, funding, resources available, etc etc would be fantastic. Having everything that is available at the federal, state & local govts in one spot would be ideal & would save heaps of time. Thanks for listening.
There is already a website available which is maintained by a not for profit organisation, TRI Community Exchange, www.tricomm.org.au/communitynet.
communityNet is a news, information and resources website for the community sector to share news and resources as well as information about upcoming events, conferences, seminars and workshops, training, funding, employment vacancies and web links.
Interagencies and other community groups can also store their documents such as minutes and agendas in communityNet's download section.
TRI Community Exchange is currently seeking government funding for this website.
Hi suside Although I think there are some similarities to Zarrin's Community Bush concept, I also think there is a difference. I don't know if you've ever come across http://www.community.gov.au/ but is what you had in mind similar to that site or something different? What sort of government information would you want to have available in developing your idea? Regards Doug Jacquier Connecting Up Australia (Contest facilitators)
I’m the Coordinator for communityNet (www.tricomm.org.au/communitynet), mentioned by Jane above.
http://www.community.gov.au/ is a really useful site but I see it as more of a directory than a news/information/resources site. What we are trying to do with communityNet is to fill the gap suside is talking about, at a regional level. We are NSW-focused, and within that, Greater Western Sydney focused, as that’s where we are located.
As an organisation we are resourcing mainly small to medium sized NGOs in the region particularly around the context of using ICTs as tools for sector communication, sharing and networking.
In our experience small/medium NGOs in the region (and I suspect this is true of small NGOs everywhere in Australia) have strong effective local networks, however government information at State and particularly Federal level (ie media releases, resources, initiatives, enquiries, publications, etc) does not always get filtered down to these local networks. Yet this information is essential as it will impact at a local level and needs to be disseminated amongst local networks for regional action/use/discussion.
The organisations we resource often don’t have the time/resources/knowledge to wade through the vast amounts of sector-related information released daily by local, state, federal governments/peaks/universities/media. Often they have to sift through loads of stuff that is of no importance to them to get to what they need to find/would like to know. It’s a waste of time and resources better spent on service delivery and organisational development.
That’s where a site like communityNet differs from community.gov.au and others. It is run by the sector for the sector, on a regional level by an organisation with strong local networks. I think it would be great for this type of resource to be funded regionally, as it has two sides: the “big picture” news that is useful across geographical areas/service types/client groups, and the more localised resources and news related to the needs and demographics of a particular region.
I know of an online magazine that has just started fundseeker.com.au that gives you this info. I contacted them to see what they can do for my nonprofit and got a great friendly response...the women also said they may make the mag free of charge to all nonprofits in December! Maybe the government can use this facility and save some money as well.
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