Want to know how to use Google Maps for your organization?

Do you have data that you would like to display to your supporters visually? Maybe to show the impact your org has had in a community to your funders? Or what about demonstrating the need for more resources in a particular region where your nonprofit works?

All of these things are now possible and are getting easier-to-use and less expensive with the help of Google Maps, Google Maps API, and Google Earth.

In an upcoming article, we'll be walking through how to use these tools to visually put your organization on the map.

If you've created any maps for your org using Google apps or any other mapping software (like ESRI's ArcSoft), feel free to share your experience in this thread!

The article is now live if anyone is trying to develop maps for their organization: A Nonprofit's Introduction to Google's Online Mapping Tools.

Has your org or library used mapping tools for advocacy, activism, or fundraising? If so, share what tools you've used and how the experience has been.

Hi Chris and Mano,

Wow, what a super useful article!  I'm doing volunteer work with the charity, The World Toilet Organization, who are committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide.

We have a very exciting project plan to implement Google Maps, and I was wondering if you guys would be able to volunteer some of your time to review our proposal and give us pointers (or help - whatever you can manage). 

We especially need technical feedback on how to proceed with the project (or if you could recommend I get in touch with someone else?).  Let me know at:  jenny@worldtoilet.org

thanks - Jenny

Hi Chris and Mano,

Kuvasz Fanciers of America does dog rescue and mentoring.  I have a membership list. If we get a report of a dog in a shelter, is there an application that would enable us to input the shelter address and find the members who are closest to that location?

Thanks,

Gail

kuvasz@pacbell.net
kuvaszinfo.com

Gail,

Google earth Pro and similar tools will allow you to roughly do what you are asking- if you create a set of layers with your members addresses that show up as points, then you can just search for a new address of a shelter you can fly to that location and then visually examine the area for your closest member.

If you wanted something more robust or automated you'd have to move up a level to a typical GIS program or spend some cash on a developer who can custom build a google maps tool for you. I'd suggest investing some time in learning basic GIS, maybe the free programs like uDIG are worth a look, or a donated copy of ArcGIS from Techsoup. Not easy to get started with but very powerful options. You may find a local student in the geography or conservation fields who know basic GIS and are willing to help you with it for free.

If you want some more ideas on how it all works check out www.nonprofitgis.org

cheers

Spike