GreatNonprofits is the place to find and review great -- and perhaps not so great – nonprofits, charities, and volunteer and donation opportunities

New Oil Rig Explosion in Gulf Spurs Fears of New Spill

Even as BP began removing a capping stack above the Deepwater Horizon well in preparation for its “final kill” this morning, 200 miles to the west in the Gulf of Mexico a Mariner Energy oil platform exploded.

Fortunately, all 13 workers aboard the platform at the time of the explosion have been accounted for. One worker was injured, and the entire work crew was flown to the Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma to be examined and treated.

Whether or not there is oil leaking from the exploded platform is uncertain – the Coast Guard has spotted evidence of a one-mile long oil sheen spreading from the site of the exploded platform, while Mariner Energy said in a public statement that a flyover inspection of the site revealed no spilled oil.

Meanwhile, the White House appears to be ready for an oil leak – White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that response assets are ready for deployment should there be reports of pollution in the water. In the event that the Coast Guard’s report of an oil sheen is found to be true, the oil sheen should be easier to clean than the Deepwater Horizon spill because the Mariner Energy oil platform was located in shallow water when it exploded.

The cause of the explosion is unknown at this time, though the Miami Herald reported that “company records and records form the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management…show the platform was among hundreds of rigs damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008.”

-- Xenia Shih

Power of Education Campaign Launches to Identify Leading Nonprofits

Menlo Park, CA September 1, 2010

GreatNonprofits and GuideStar jointly announce the launch of the 2010 Power of Education Campaign, which seeks to identify top-rated organizations working on the many and varied aspects of education.

Partners in the campaign, which will run throughout the month of September, include Everybody Wins! USA, All Kinds of Minds, the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, Children's Literacy Initiative, The Partnership for After School Education, DonorsChoose.org, Givology and Little Kids Rock.

We are also pleased to be working with blogger Sue Scheff, a parent advocate and author during this campaign.

A major goal of the campaign is to raise public awareness about the many excellent nonprofit organizations that work on education issues and initiatives -- including schools and their supporting organizations -- as a new school year begins for them.

Any educational nonprofit that gets at least 10 new positive stakeholder reviews by midnight, September 30th will be recognized on the GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Education Nonprofits List. “There are so many wonderful nonprofit organizations working on education from all sorts of perspectives,” said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits. “Through this campaign, we hope to shine a spotlight on their important work.”

Participants in the campaign can expect to receive increased exposure to donors and volunteers and increased visibility in their communities and the media.

Research conducted by GreatNonprofits indicates that user reviews are having a wide array of impacts on nonprofit organizations – from fundraising to volunteer recruitment to programmatic changes.

The user reviews gathered by GreatNonprofits are written by anyone with personal experience with a nonprofit, i.e., a donor, volunteer, board member, client, or member of the public.

Over the past year more than 450,000 people visited GreatNonprofits to read and write these reviews.

About the Campaign

The Power of Education campaign will run throughout the month of September and all reviews will appear on both the GreatNonprofits.org and GuideStar.org websites. Nonprofits with 10 or more positive reviews will be included on the GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Education Nonprofits List. Review submissions must take place from September 1st through 30th, 2010.

Partners: GuideStar is the leading source of philanthropic information on the web.

Adopt-A-Classroom increases opportunity for student success by empowering teachers with community donors and funds to purchase classroom resources. Adopt-A-Classroom provides an easy and accountable way for anyone to make a tax-deductible donation to any classroom, anywhere in the United States. Every school is listed at http://www.adoptaclassroom.org.

All Kinds of Minds is a nonprofit organization that translates groundbreaking research from neuroscience on how children learn – and vary in their learning – into a powerful framework and set of strategies that help teachers help more students learn and thrive.

Children's Literacy Initiative Classroom by classroom, CLI coaches pre-k through 3rd grade educators and provides high-quality children’s books to dramatically increase the quality of reading instruction and raise student achievement.

DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need.

Everybody Wins! USA is a national children’s literacy and mentoring nonprofit proven to build the skills and love of reading among low-income elementary students. By bringing volunteer mentors into schools for weekly one-on-one Power Lunch reading experiences, everybody wins! - children, schools, volunteers, their companies and ultimately, society.

Givology As an online giving marketplace, Givology leverages small dollar donations to support grassroots education projects and student scholarships in the developing world. Our motto: Learn to Give, Give to Learn.

Little Kids Rock is a nonprofit organization that transforms children's lives by restoring and revitalizing music education in public schools nationwide.

The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) is the voice and social conscience for the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness.

The Partnership for After School Education (PASE) is a child-focused organization that promotes and supports quality afterschool programs, particularly those serving young people from underserved communities.

Media Contacts: David Weir david@greatnonprofits.org (415) 407-0257 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (415) 407-0257      end_of_the_skype_highlighting Emma Bundy emma@greatnonprofits.org (510) 504-2048

The 26 Top-Rated NonProfits in Science and Technology

GreatNonprofits today announces that 26 organizations working in the science and technology fields have qualified for the 2010 Top-Science & Technology Nonprofits List, based on user reviews submitted during a national campaign in August.

The reviews were posted as part of the 2010 GreatNonprofits Science and Technology Campaign, conducted in partnership with the GuideStar, NTEN, TechSoup Global, Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, Association for Women in Science, Inveneo, the Franklin Institute, and Tonic.

Over the course of the campaign, approximately 40,000 people visited the GreatNonprofits site to read and write reviews. A total of 67 nonprofit organizations working on science and technology were rated and reviewed by stakeholders.

In the process, a total of 575 new user reviews were gathered. All the organizations on the top-rated list received ten or more positive reviews.

Congratulations to all the organizations that participated in the campaign, and especially those that made the top-rated list. Our research indicates that nonprofits are finding that stakeholder reviews can help them raise money, recruit volunteers, and improve their services in a myriad of ways.

About the Campaign

The science and technology campaign ran throughout the month of August 2010, and all reviews submitted appear on both of the GuideStar.org and GreatNonprofits.org websites. The qualifying organizations that received ten or more positive user reviews are listed on the 2010 Top-Rated Science & Technology Nonprofits List.

Partners in the Campaign

GuideStar is the leading source of philanthropic information on the web.

Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology provides resources and programs to help industry, academia, and government recruit, retain, and advance women leaders in high-tech fields, resulting in higher levels of technological innovation.

Association for Women in Science We envision a day when women of all ages will participate fully in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as manifested through equal opportunity, pay equity and recognition commensurate with their accomplishments.

The Franklin Institute is one of America’s oldest and premier centers of science education and development in the country and continues its dedication to public education and creating a passion for science by offering new and exciting access to science and technology in ways that would dazzle and delight its namesake.

Inveneo is a 501(c)(3) non profit social enterprise whose mission is to help rural, underserved communities get connected and get empowered through ICT. We work with NGOs, multilaterals, and government organizations that deliver services to communities; and enable them to effectively serve people in need through technology access. With projects in Haiti, sub-Saharan Africa, and south Asia, we specialize in delivering the right solutions for challenging environments, and building local capacity through skills development.

NTEN is the membership organization of nonprofit professionals who put technology to use for their causes; NTEN helps you do your job better, so you can make the world a better place.

TechSoup Global's TechSoup.org is a nonprofit offering other nonprofits free information, resources, support, and a product philanthropy service making software donations to hundreds of thousands of nonprofits from 40 major technology providers, including Microsoft, Cisco, Symantec, Intuit, Adobe and Sun.

Tonic is a digital media company dedicated to promoting the good that happens around the world each day. We share the stories of people and organizations that are making a difference by inspiring good in themselves and others.

-- David Weir

From North Carolina to Oregon, SciTech NPOs Get Rave Reviews

As the month of August -- summer vacation month -- winds down, we are getting dozens of positive reviews of science and technology nonprofits here at GreatNonprofits.org.

Here are three worthy organizations receiving reviews from their stakeholders:

1. Summer Science Program Inc., Cary, N.C., supports 72 gifted high school students each year.

"The Summer Science Program was one of the highlights of my high school experience. Not only was I was academically challenged, I met great people who have become some of my best friends. As technology and science becomes an ever growing part of our society, SSP is the perfect example of non-profit striving to inspire students and make them believe they can do more than they think they can."--whelen2000

1. Algalita Marine Research Foundation, in Long Beach, CA., researches the impact of plastic debris on the marine environment. 

"People need to know about the Algalita Marine Research Foundation and what they are doing. The problem of plastic in our oceans is horrible. I had no idea about any of this and I was very shocked to learn. My family and I have been changing our habits because of all the things the people at Algalita told me about and showed me. I am a middle school student and I was thinking about doing a film about helping the environment for a local film festival that was focusing on environmental issues. The problem was, I couldn’t think of any good subjects to do a film about. Then, I found an article about how my city had banned grocery stores from using plastic bags. I saw that some people were complaining and I wondered why the ban had happened. I looked online and started searching on “plastic problem”. That is when I read about the ocean and the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”. It said the founder of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation discovered it in 1997. That’s the year I was born! I searched on “Garbage Patch” and that is when the videos started coming up with Capt. Charles Moore explaining and showing the problem. I had no idea!! I couldn’t believe it!!! They said 6 times more plastic was found floating in the ocean than there was plankton! What?? I asked my mom to take me out to the baylands and then the creek by our house so I could take my camera and see what it looked like where I live in the Bay Area in Northern California. Then we went to a local beach. More shock at what I saw there. There were plastic bottles, bags, and bits of plastic things all over. I took a chance and sent an email to the Algalita Marine Research Foundation to ask if I could visit them for my film while I was down in Southern California for another event. They said yes! I got to spend nearly 3 hours at their lab and I will never forget what I saw in person and the things Gwen Lattin told me about. I saw everything first hand from bits of plastic through the microscope to big plastic things they had found out in the North Pacific Gyre. It looks like sand, but it’s really tiny pieces of plastic! What’s worse is that birds and fish are eating the plastic bits thinking it’s food and they are dying. And what could this be doing to the food chain? Plastic is full of all sorts of chemicals! And then there’s the big stuff they found floating out there. There was even a whole plastic laundry basket out there! When I show people my short film, they are shocked too. I even won first place for my film in the festival. The Algalita Marine Research Foundation taught me so much about how plastic has become such a problem and I want to do what I can to help them spread the word to as many people as possible. To those people who were complaining about the ban on plastic bags – have I got something to show you."--tiana1

1. Techstart Education Foundation, in Portland, OR., focuses on grades K-12.

"Techstart put together a computer programming game competition for middle school through high school students. This was my first year in the competition. Techstart did a fantastic job from inception in February to the final prize awarded in May. My students were thrilled to be amongst hundreds of like-minded students. Their parents and myself were impressed with the scope of preparation and organization of the competition. My teams presented to 2 separate groups of professional programmers and game designers and also presented and listened to peer presentations as well. Techstart brought all of this together for a very reasonable participation fee ($50 per team). My students were inspired and excited to be part of such a great competition. Winning two awards was icing on the cake."--http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/my-review/techstart-education-foundation/51238">patkut

-- David Weir

Grassroots.org Tweets their way to the Top-Rated SciTech List!

Congratulations to our Science and Technology Twitter Campaign winner: Grassroots.org! This great technology nonprofit used their experience with social media to get their message out to their followers and bring in their first 18 reviews in only 5 days.

Grassroots.org’s mission is to “serve as a catalyst for positive social change by leveraging modern technologies and best business practices.” By providing resources like their Nonprofit Toolbox, community forum, and educational events, Grassroots.org enables nonprofits to improve their own practices and outreach through technological solutions.

During the week of our Twitter campaign, Grassroots.org used their two Twitter accounts to Tweet 12 times. Their followers eagerly took up the message as and re-tweeted to show their support:

grassroots_org: Hey fans, RT if you've ever liked any @grassroots_org services, staff, support, tweets or blog ... http://bit.ly/9rAqfH #fb

grassroots_org: Have something to tell us in over 140 characters? Share your feedback via a @GreatNonprofits re... http://bit.ly/bYSi3i #fb

In just 3 days, Grassroots.org qualified as a Top-Rated Science & Technology Nonprofit, but the reviews continue to pour in. Here are a few examples of what supporters have to say about this great nonprofit:

hcnanpo: "Grassroots.org has helped our organization to grow by affording us a presence in cyberspace that connects us to other organizations, donors, and members. Through the various developmental tools offered at Grassroots.org, our association have been enhanced, and empowered to service more of the community."

fraisdessins: "GrassRoots.org is a great organization and they have an amazing philosophy that is carried on by those who play very vital roles in the day-to-day operations of connecting businesses to those non-profit orgs who are in need. I proudly let people know about Grassroots.org every chance I get."

spammo: "At a time when me and my board were at an impasse over needs and costs and no real community support at that point, Grassroots.org provided the way to meet those needs without the cost and allow the organization to move forward. Viva Grassroots.org!"

Learn more about Grassroots.org and check out their stellar reviews here.

U-C, Berkeley Scientists’ Oil Spill Cleanup Contribution Funded by BP

In the beginning of this month, we reported that the University of California at Berkeley had come under fire for a $500 million grant from by BP to create the Energy Biosciences Institute. Critics of the corporate sponsorship were calling for its early termination on the grounds that it would taint the university’s reputation and affect the institute’s ability to conduct objective research.

But critics might have reason to thank the standing existence of the Energy Biosciences Institute, as recent research supported by BP’s grant to UC Berkeley has yielded the discovery of a new microbe that is apparently contributing to cleanup efforts in the Gulf of Mexico.

While studying the underwater dispersion of oil spilled into the Gulf, researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory discovered the oil-eating microbe, which was likely formed when large quantities of oil in the water stimulated deep-sea cold temperature bacteria.

Of course, microbes aren’t the only ones doing work to help heal the Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of the BP oil spill. In Louisiana, one organization is harnessing one of the hottest technological products of the year to help patients poisoned by the oil spill. The Louisiana Poison Center has been inundated by oil-related poisonings – approximately 500 so far – in the aftermath of the oil spill, so Director Mark Ryan has turned to his iPad to help with the workflow.

Every report of oil-related poisoning that comes through the Louisiana Poison Center is forwarded to the U.S. Health Department, which watches for health trends. Even when Ryan is not in the office, he can use his iPad and the LogMeIn Ignition application to log in remotely to his office computer, from which he forwards reports to the Health Department. With the help of this technology, he is able to forward a report to the Health Department within 15 minutes of it coming in, at any hour and on any day.

-- Xenia Shih

A GreatNonprofits Special Report: The Innovative Role in Health Care Played by Nonprofit Groups

By David Weir

Small and medium sized nonprofit organizations are playing a significant role in the U.S. health care system, an analysis from GreatNonprofits has found.

Though often overlooked in the fractious debate over the health care reform, nonprofits have been plugging holes in the system that are left unaddressed by government and private sector health providers.

This conclusion is based on data collected during a month-long campaign in June conducted in partnership with a coalition of eight other nonprofit organizations -- GuideStar, the National Association for Health and Fitness, Mental Health America, the Diabetes Hands Foundation, Cancer Schmancer, FACE AIDS, HopeLab and Blisstree.

The campaign resulted in thousands of stakeholder reviews for more than 250 nonprofit groups based in the U.S.

One striking aspect of the reviews and is how many people turn to nonprofits to help them deal with uncommon health conditions that often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed by the standard health-care providers.

Another theme running through the reviews in this campaign is the creative support role many nonprofits are playing for people facing extremely difficult circumstances due to the sickness of family members.

Following are excerpts culled from the thousands of reviews submitted as part of 2010 GreatNonprofits Health Campaign:

The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative, Burton, MI, whose mission is “to raise awareness and fund research through art.”

" My mom died with Alzheimer's mid-2005 after a multi-year descent. It broke my heart when she no longer knew my name ... Now, I stitch in her honor and memory to help AAQI raise desperately needed research funds. No one makes an Alzheimer's journey alone - as Mother Theresa put it: 'We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.' This is SO true of AAQI - together, one quilt at a time, we ARE making a difference." -- quiltdivajulie

APS Foundation of America, La Crosse. WI, which “promotes education, public awareness, research, and patient services for Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome.”

"When I tested positive for the antiphospholipid antibodies a couple years ago, I had no idea what I was dealing with. My 'team' has included an excellent rheumatologist and the APS Foundation of America. Because of the honest information I received there, I learned questions to ask my rheumatologist, the most current research on treatments and, maybe for me, hope that I could go on and lead a normal life. Yes, it would take monitoring and medication, but I could work and still be me." -- kansas-educator .

Cancer Schmancer Foundation, Reston, VA, which is “dedicated to saving women’s lives through early detection of cancer.”

"I am now cancer free after five years. I had breast cancer. Cancer Schmancer has been a breath of fresh air in my life...Just the name Cancer Schmancer...brings smiles to me and anyone I mention it to. Laughter helps us heal in and through cancer... Humor has helped me heal quicker after cancer. "--Lillian.

Cents of Relief, in New Haven, CT, which provides "education, healthcare and rehabilitative programs to women and children who have been trafficked or are at risk of human trafficking" in South Asia.

"Through Cents of Relief, I have been working in Kalighat, Kolkata (Calcutta) at a center that provides health, education and vocational training for women and children in Kalighat (the oldest red light district in Kolkata. Cents of Relief provides funds and support that provide a tremendous amount of support and compassion for women in prostitution. Despite the large number of women and children in need in the area, there are very few resources to assist them or help them find a path out of sex work and extreme poverty.” -- madisonatyale.

Ceres Community Project, Sebastopol, CA, which works to “provide… locally-grown, organic whole food …(to) those facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.”

"My husband was diagnosed with widely metastacized cancer when our little boys were 2 and 6...I don't have words to express what a difference the Ceres Community Project made in our lives, on all levels. In addition to amazingly, literally feeding us, the Ceres folks helped us feel cared for and held so beautifully. The meals sustained us during a devastating time." – appreciating.

The CJ Foundation for SIDS, Hackensack, NJ, which is dedicated to raising funds for medical research and support services for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. “

"In June 2009, our 5.5 month old daughter died of SIDS during her afternoon nap…I was contacted by a member of the board who had also lost a child to SIDS and instantly had someone who understood what it was like. In the almost year since our daughter has been gone, the staff at the CJ Foundation has reached out to us in countless ways to assist us in our walk with grief. They remembered her birthday and they never cease to send a card or email right when we need it most. They listen to me cry when needed and give me encouragement." -- peacock

Coachart.org, Los Angeles, CA, which provides “lessons are completely free of charge to the children (who are) battling chronic illness …In this creative learning environment, they are able to regain self-esteem, social skills and independence…”

“CoachArt helps thousands of children each year by simply giving them a chance to be children. Diseases such as cancer not only hurt the child physically, it interferes with their ability to go to school, enjoy every day activities, and have fun with kids their own age. The volunteers at CoachArt aren't teachers or nurses, but caring young people who just want kids to be kids. –jogregz

Cody Unser First Step Foundation, of Albuquerque, NM, dedicated to “raising research funds, public awareness and quality of life for those afflicted with all forms of spinal cord-related paralysis.”

A client, spineywhite adds: "One year ago, CUFSF opened my eyes to many rewarding lessons. First, they introduced me to an exciting sport that does not see limitations. Cody inspired me to push myself beyond my own expectations, by scuba diving. The feelings of being 'free' from the wheelchair were incredible. Now I take this experience of overcoming obstacles into my classroom in hopes that my message will inspire my students to push beyond their limitations."

Diabetes Hands Foundation, Berkeley, CA., which “connect(s) people touched by diabetes and raise diabetes awareness.”

"This organization has allowed me to connect with others who have diabetes," writes lookingformoi. "This may not seem like a big deal, but it really is. Helping people with a condition, such as diabetes, connect with others allows someone like me to not feel so alone, so isolated. It also provides a lot of helpful information about diabetes management. I know I've learned more about diabetes and how to deal with certain situations from this organization than I have from all of my doctors and educators. This organization is a blessing to anyone touched by diabetes."

Endometriosis Research Center and Women's Hospital, Inc., Delray Beach, FL. address the growing international need for disease research, education, awareness and patient support (regarding) Endometriosis, a painful reproductive and immunological disease affecting more than 8.5 million women and teens in North America alone, with 176 million more worldwide.”

"ERC has really been a blessing," writes geordanna. "I get so much comfort knowing I am not alone! And because I am on Facebook a lot I love that they have their FB page. I can get the most up-to-date relevant info on endo and it is truly appreciated! I have even meet women just like me on the other side of the world!"

Food for Thought, Sonoma County, CA. , which “provide(s) critical nutritional support for people affected by HIV and AIDS” in California, ger says: "This has to be a model for non-profits to strive for. Terrific people to work with, always. I've worked for other non-profits but the imagination and dedication to 'all' the avenues FFT travels to keep the 600+ clients nourished, cared for and loved is what makes volunteering here a joy. The hard work, in these depressed economic times, to feed and help those in need has not diminished."

HEALS, Huntsville, AL, which provides “free school-based comprehensive medical and dental services, and social services to children in Madison County, AL.”

"HEALS is a wonderful organization that provides a much needed service to ... students who would otherwise do without. They have become a national model for school based services and have literally impacted thousands of students and their families..." -- tim11

Kristin Brooks Hope Center, Washington, D.C., which is “dedicated to community-based suicide prevention, intervention and healing.”

jenny93 writes: "One night I called the hopeline hoping for alternative release than hanging myself. I talked to a lady and she told me I was a good person and I needed to believe in myself. Six years later, I'm still here."

Lam Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, focuses on “Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, better known as LAM, is a progressive lung disease that affects women almost exclusively, usually during their childbearing years. “

"A trip to the ER back in June 2008 is what led to my learning about the LAM foundation," writes donofjm. I went to the ER thinking I had gall stones only to discover I had a collapsed lung. My family and I wanted to know why - I wasn't in an accident -I had never had any issues with my lungs before. If it wasn't for the LAM foundation and their efforts to ensure doctors and pulmonologists know about this disease I may have been sent home without any real diagnosis or treatment."

Medical Students for Choice, in Philadelphia, PA, which “helps provide training and education in abortion, contraception, and other reproductive topics that aren’t being provided in medical school and residency programs.”

" Miranda1. "Its mission is unique, and critical to the future of women's health. Its influence is far-reaching and money donated to MSFC is well utilized."

Michigan Lyme Disease Association, Wayne, MI, which works to prevent Lyme Disease and other tick-borne conditions, and to provide support to those already afflicted.”

"I don't know where I'd be today if it wasn't for the MLDA," writes thepearl in a review. "I was going through the loop of doctors to find out what was happening to me, because I felt, literally, like every system in my body was going crazy all at the same time. I was getting test after test, but nobody could find anything wrong... (The MLDA staff) were so very helpful in helping me find a doctor to see if Lyme disease was the cause of my problems, and so very kind in just listening to me."

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, in Santa Cruz, CA, whose mission is “to treat conditions for which conventional medicines provide limited relief—such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pain, drug dependence, anxiety and depression associated with end-of-life issues.”

“As an Iraq war veteran, I find their research astounding. Instead of prolonging the constant day-to-day dealings of PTSD with SSRI's , they're looking for a way to deal with it quickly and effectively. After reading about MAPS I quickly learned that there are options in life, and as a medical professional, I have put my educational goals toward doing all I can to not only become a part of MAPS but to also spread the knowledge about Psychedelic studies. I fully support MAPS and all of the incredible work they are doing." -- willbuh

New Orleans Faith Health Alliance in New Orleans, LA, provides “provide quality, affordable primary care to working uninsured and their families.”

"I manage a hospital outpatient diabetes center in New Orleans and appreciate the medical home NOFHA will provide uninsured workers who have diabetes. Diabetes care is largely self care, and a lack of health insurance should not prevent someone from achieving and maintaining tight blood sugar control. I am impressed with the passion of everyone I have met associated with NOFHA and look forward to working with them." -- pam-butler

Saving Mothers, Los Angeles, CA., which “aims to provide women and their health care providers with the necessary tools and education to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.”

"Saving Mothers is a non-profit committed to the care of women in areas of the world where maternal mortality is high. Through educating the local providers in these countries and empowering women abroad we hope to combat the high rates of maternal death. As an ob/gyn, I am committed to the care of women and the high rates of maternal death worldwide are completely unacceptable. Through Saving Mothers we create public health outreach and deliver clinical care to these women. It has been an amazing experience!" -- tara5

Side By Side Clubhouse in Stone Mountain, GA, is dedicated to “people living with the lifelong effects of traumatic brain injury…learn to contribute in meaningful ways that carry over to work, home and community. “

“Side by Side gives members a reason to get out of bed in the morning and a place to go to be productive members of community. At the Clubhouse, they are able to contribute their abilities to productive activity, as well as stretch and strengthen those skills toward potential broader participation in community. (It) provides a personal support community in which individuals are valued as they are, rather than seen only for what they have lost." -- crb

Spina Bifida Association of Massachusetts in Milford, MA. Is “dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals in Massachusetts and surrounding New England states affected by Spina Bifida.”

"What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...learning. You don't know what you don't know. The opportunity to interact with others with the same disability is invaluable...(it) (p)rovides education and support services for adults & children with spina bifida. Offers annual benefit to help pay for equipment that is not covered by insurance. Great way to meet people who also have spina bifida. Contacts greatly help assist with medical & education decision making." -- jean4

The Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes Foundation, Salt Lake City, UT., which is dedicated to “to save the lives and support the families of children and young adults who are genetically predisposed to sudden death due to heart rhythm abnormalities."

“I lost my youngest granddaughter on November 22, 2009. She had been treated for seizures for years. A gene problem that had been passed on from me to my daughter to Abbey. Our pain is so great we can hardly function. But because Abbey was such a giving and loving little girl we had to do something. Laura and all the people a SADS has been great. We have gotten so much love and support for everyone. We are always thinking of ways to raise money to better serve the organization and keep Abbey's memory alive." -- dianne1

Therapet in Troup, TX, which “utilizes specially trained and certified animals to promote health, hope and healing.”

"I am always inspired by how all of our Therapet animals affect and touch the lives of our patients and families. They calm fears, help relieve pain and take patients and families minds off their tragedies and worries for a while. We constantly hear stories from individuals who tell how at their lowest moments, a Therapet has come and lifted their spirits. I love working with this organization and it's wonderful volunteers, both two and four legged."—jmalone

Until There’s A Cure, Redwood City, CA, which is “dedicated to eradicating HIV/AIDS by raising awareness and funds to combat this pandemic.”

"Through their jewelry UTAC is really raising HIV and AIDS awareness. They keep me up to date with frequent emails about what they are doing in the community and how one can get involved." -- lo1

The VHL Family Alliance in Boston, MA, which aims to “improve diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for individuals and families affected by von Hippel-Lindau and related tumor conditions. “

"(T)he VHL Family Alliance helped save my brother's life last year. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" -- kminer

The Washburn Child Guidance Center, Minneapolis, MN, which aims “to help children with emotional and behavioral problems, or children at high risk of such problems, lead successful lives. “

"Washburn is one of the only mental health services available to children in Minneapolis. I worked as a principal in the Minneapolis Public Schools for 20 years and the needs for these services far outweighed the supply. Washburn was the only place to turn for extreme situations."-- Maureen9

weSPARK, in Sherman Oaks, CA, which is "dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients, their family, and friends."

"After losing my father to leukemia a year ago, I was referred to WeSpark. The people there are wonderful, and it's incredible that they offer so much support and so many services - and they don't charge a dime! I went to a group for grief counseling and it was really helpful.--rs1984

Science & Technology Campaign Draws More Nonprofit Reviews

Among the hundreds of reviews of dozens of science and technology nonprofits that have been flowing onto GreatNonprofits.org this month as part of our Science and Technology Campaign, are those for FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), in Manchester, NH.

FIRST was founded in 1989 by Inventor Dean Kamen to inspire and excite secondary high school students about mathematics, science and engineering.

"I became aware of FIRST Robotics during a competition that was held at the Kennedy Space Center," writes jherring. "At that time I was a member of the Astronaut Corps and was invited to the competition by another astronaut, Dave Brown. I was amazed at the quality of the robots and the level of competition. Since that time I have become involved both from a planning perspective as well as a judge and a judge advisor for the Oklahoma Regional, the Dallas Regional and the National Competition in Atlanta. FIRST provides students with a way to increase their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by working alongside highly talented volunteer engineers and scientists. They work in a real world environment with limited budgets and strict time-lines to produce high quality and technically proficient robots. They take their finished product and compete at regional and national competitions against equally talented and competitive robots. FIRST teaches these students about the value of learning by doing and competing with others in a professional and gracious manner. The skill sets they learn through FIRST are incredibly valuable to their lifelong learning and professional development. I highly recommend that communities work to make FIRST a part of their educational goals for all students in their regions."

Another institution getting reviewed is Michigan State University’s Lyman Briggs College, in East Lansing, MI.

"Lyman Briggs College provides a unique experience to science and math undergraduates," writes GNP member david-cantor. "I see several key advantages of the program: 1. As a residential college, Briggs provides a sense of community and support to students who might otherwise be overwhelmed in a large state university. 2. Professors for the Briggs programs are selected because they are truly interested in teaching undergraduates. So many times a large research universities, undergraduates are treated as a necessary nuisance. At Briggs, I never felt second class to graduate students or research projects. 3. The Briggs program is designed to encourage science and math majors to broaden their intellectual horizons, and to make room in their class schedules for humanities, social sciences, art, and all of the other wonderful disciplines that highly-focused science majors sometimes miss out on."

The Earthwatch Institute in Maynard, MA, is the world’s largest environmental volunteer nonprofit organization.

"Volunteering with Earthwatch allowed me to participate in scientific research," says jackies. "As a high school science teacher, I could "bring my students along" virtually through photos, videos, blogging and a live camera session. We took baseline data on trees in a wooded area (diameter, position, species, condition, etc.) for future comparisons by scientists investigating the effects of global climate change on forests. In the evenings and off times, it was interesting to share experiences with educators from all over the country. The scientists also educated us on climate change issues. I love being able to contribute to science!"

Our 2010 Science and Technology Campaign is proceeding in partnership with GuideStar, NTEN, TechSoup Global, Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, Association for Women in Science, Inveneo, the Franklin Institute, and Tonic.

-- David Weir

Spotlight on a Great Nonprofit: The Federation of American Scientists

Even though many people are on vacation and traveling this month, we are pleased to report that over 50 worthy nonprofits have received stakeholder reviews so far during our 2010 Science & Technology Campaign.

One organization deserving special mention is the Federation of American Scientists, based in Washington, D.C. FAS was founded by scientists who had worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II that yielded the world's first atomic bombs.

From the beginning, the mission of FAS was quite different from military objectives, however: "To promote a safer and more secure world by developing and advancing solutions to important science and technology security policy problems by educating the public and policy makers, and promoting transparency, through research and analysis to maximize impact on policy."

Over the intervening years, FAS has often played a leading role in helping the public and our elected representatives make sense of complicated issues, like nuclear proliferation and international arms control.

Those GNP members reviewing FAS for our campaign are passionate about the organization's importance.

"Shortly after the dramatic but mixed end of World War II, with the tragic (and unnecessary) bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I discovered FAS and joined," writes capecodbob. "From the beginning, it has been in a special position to help educate the public about the catastrophic dangers of nuclear weapons, which persist to this day. Now, with other world disasters looming all around, competing for attention, FAS does a great job of maintaining a primary focus on the fact that our nuclear armament holds in balance what Jonathan Schell so well called The Fate of the Earth."

"I am not a 'joiner,' but I felt that the FAS has done an exceptional job of dealing with the critical issues of our time that I would make an exception," writes roger7. "Other organizations of scientists have been co-opted by people with political agendas, sometimes to the point of being run by individuals who are not even scientists. I am happy to participate in the FAS."

"The FAS has been a significant force in maintaining awareness of the potentially catastrophic misuse of nuclear weapons by governments or terrorists, writes foothill-fred. "It has maintained communications with scientists all over the world, even when diplomatic relations are difficult. More reecently, efforts have expanded to other WMD, specifically the control of potential bio-weapons. Because of the diverse expertise of its members, FAS has also supported advanced research in applying digital technology to science education, and applying science to the development of superior low cost construction materials for housing. While the goal of eliminating nuclear weapons has not yet been achieved, FAS has been instrumental in convincing governments not to use nuclear weapons in conflict situations."

The Federation of American Scientists has qualified for our Top-Rated SciTech Nonprofits List, to be published at the end of the campaign. We and our excellent partners -- Guidestar, NTEN, TechSoup Global, Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, Association for Women in Science, Inveneo, the Franklin Institute, and Tonic -- encourage you to review your favorite nonprofit working in the science or technology fields today.

-- David Weir

Three More Scitech Nonprofits Recognized by Stakeholders

This is the slowest time of the year for everyone, including those in the nonprofit sector, but our 2010 Science & Technology campaign continues to attract stakeholder reviews of nonprofits active in these areas.

New York City-based Grassroots.org provides eleven specific services to nonprofit members from a portal called the Toolbox: "website hosting, website builder, volunteer website design, volunteer graphic design, SEO consulting, project consulting, virtual office, website language translation, online marketplace, content filtering software and user monitoring software."

"We had a doctor to volunteer service and a whole lot of underserved patients on the east side of Austin, Texas," writes lcarolyn. "None of us had started a nonprofit...Enter Grassroots. So we got a great website, friendly and competent tech support, but we also got a WHOLE LOT MORE. Grassroots is helping out nonprofit to get the word out through social media; we are getting fundraising mentoring; and there's a whole lot more that we just haven't gotten to yet! Thanks Grassroots. We can make banners, brochures, and cards now that we have a website. Oh, and grants are a little more punchy with a website as well."

Another nonprofit getting reviews is the Scientek-12 Foundation, in Tucson, AZ, which has its mission to "excite young people about science and engineering," in grades K-12.

"The Science Fair was an incredible experience for the girls," writes scimom.. "Not only did they get to see interesting projects from different schools and grades but they are now committed to participating over and over again. Thanks SciEnTeK-12 for getting these girls so enthused about science."

Then there is the Finger Lakes Institute, Geneva, NY, which s dedicated to "the promotion of environmental research and education about the Finger Lakes and surrounding environments."

GNP member diversitydiva writes:
"FLI is unique in that it is a consortium of area colleges, offering teachers outstanding opportunities for professional development. Learning first hand from professors and professionals in the field of environmental science helps teachers assimilate the latest research in environmental science. FLI hosts classes in a state of the art green building on the Hobart and William Smith Colleges campus. The facilities include a laboratory and research vessel for limnology study."

The Scitech campaign is being conducted in partnership with these excellent nonprofit organizations: Guidestar, NTEN, TechSoup Global, Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, Association for Women in Science, Inveneo, the Franklin Institute, and Tonic.

Many Gulf Residents Have Symptoms of Mental Health Impacts From Spill

Despite efforts by BP to assure the public that the worst effects of the oil spill have already been felt, there continue to be troubling reports from the area that indicate otherwise.

For example, the Daily Beast reported this week that fisherman hired by BP have found “tar balls as large as three inches wide floating off the Florida coast.”

When reporting these tar balls to supervisors, the fishermen say, they were told to exclude them from their reports, and to only focus on boom removal.

Fishermen along the coast of Mississippi have also been finding found oil in the marshes of barrier islands They’ve also seen “massive fish kills and scooped up submerged oil, according to the same report.”

However, none of these threats have been acknowledged by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, which recently halted its oil disaster work.

As we reported on July 27, cleanup crews have been having trouble locating most of the spilled oil for weeks now. But that is no surprise to scientists from the University of Georgia, who estimate that up to 80 percent of the oil could now be beneath the water’s surface.

Meanwhile, the people of the Gulf Coast continue to suffer in many ways in the aftermath of the oil spill. Louisiana’s nonprofit Ochsner Health System conducted a survey of 406 people in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The results showed that 30 percent of Gulf Coast residents surveyed are suffering with mental health issues as a result of the BP oil spill.

Younger and lower-income residents are reported to be more susceptible to mental health issues.

In an interview with NPR, Dr. Irwin Redlener of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University said that 30 percent of children living within 10 miles of the water of coastal Louisiana and Mississippi have experienced either a medical or mental illness since the spill.

Among these illnesses were very severe rashes, coughing or wheezing, depression and difficulty sleeping. Perhaps most disturbing, said Dr. Redlener, was the report that “even 9-year-old children were talking about their way of life being over.”

Even with BP’s “final kill” of its well apparently just weeks away, it is becoming clear that the effects from the oil spill will linger for many, many years to come.

-- Xenia Shih

Calling all Science & Technology tweeters: GreatNonprofits launches second-ever Twitter Campaign!

Back in July we decided to start experimenting more with our social media outreach. As part of our Animal Welfare Campaign we launched our first-ever Twitter Campaign. The results were overwhelmingly positive. At the end of three days, The Cat Network, headquartered in Miami, FL, was our winner. They had leveraged their devoted followers and cranked out an impressive 26 Retweets. 5 of the 12 nonprofits that participated landed themselves a spot on our Top-Rated List.

This initial foray was such a success that we're doing it again. We’ve been inspired by all the interesting and creative Tweets that we’ve seen from the nonprofits participating in our Science and Technology Campaign. The way these organizations are using Twitter to promote their work is so powerful we're launching our second campaign within a campaign!

For five days this week, we’re running a Twitter campaign for science and technology nonprofits to get reviews, highlight great work, and harness the power of tech-loving followers in 140 characters!

The Basics:

When: August 16-20

How it works: For 5 days only we’re going to watch how nonprofits working on science and technology issues can use Twitter to get reviews and give you points for different activities. We want to learn from your creativity! Participating organizations will get:

• ONE point each time they Tweet about @GreatNonprofits and the campaign.

• TWO points every time someone reTweets one of their messages about the campaign or mentions @GreatNonprofits and their organization.

(Important note: In order for us to be about to track all Tweets, the Twitter user must actually mention GreatNonprofits using the “@GreatNonprofits” method.)

• THREE points for every review posted for their organization on GreatNonprofits during the special three day campaign (these reviews also count for the Science and Technology Campaign and can qualify the organization as a Top-Rated Nonprofit at the end of August!)

What You’ll Win: At the end of the day on Friday we'll tally up the points and the organization with the most loyal tweeters will be:

• Featured at the top of our homepage as our Twitter Campaign Winner.

• Featured in a blog post about the campaign

• Highlighted on our Facebook page, and in our tweets!

We’re looking forward to seeing how you reach out to your followers and what an impact this can have! Remember, even if you don’t win, tweets can bring in tons of reviews and help you get Top-Rated status!

Love science and technology, on Twitter, but not a nonprofit? You can also participate in the campaign and earn points for your favorite science and technology nonprofits by letting them know that they can take this opportunity to shine, and by retweeting their messages about the campaign!

Got questions? Need ideas on how to get started? Contact with any questions. Happy tweeting!

Sci/Tech Nonprofits Play Critical Role in Troubled Economic Times

We've reached the mid-point of our month-long Science & Technology Nonprofits Campaign, which we are conducting with eight stellar partners: The Franklin Institute, Guidestar, NTEN, TechSoup Global, Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, Association for Women in Science, Inveneo, and Tonic.

Any nonprofit working in the areas of science and technology that can collect ten or more positive stakeholder reviews during the month of August will be recognized on our 2010 Top-Rated SciTech Nonprofits List, which will be published at the conclusion of the campaign.

Earlier today, while looking over the campaign page, I was particularly drawn to what clients said about three of the nonprofit organizations in their reviews:

*Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute (CDRI), Fort Davis, TX.

"CDRI is an invaluable asset to the communities of West Texas," wrote GNP member rikitiki. "Their workshops and lectures are always entertaining, enlightening and engaging. Their trails, gardens and exhibits have something to offer people of all ages and abilities. That's why, whenever I have out-of-town visitors, I take them to the nature center to learn about the Chihuahuan Desert and see the landscape. Even with the number of state and federal parks in this part of Texas, the nature center is probably the most easily accessible and educational place to hike and get to know the biodiversity of our region. They also do a great job of educating kids from local schools about the natural environment around them. My 9-year-old cousin, who visited from Dallas and had never experienced the Chihuahuan Desert before visiting CDRI, probably said it best: 'This is adventure land!' He can't wait to come back."

*Fulbright Academy, Cape Elizabeth, ME.

"The Academy in unique in providing ways for former Fulbright scholars to communicate with their colleagues, seek expertise, look for human & financial resources and develop further the areas which originally earned them their Fulbright status, without any connection to or obligation to the U.S. Government or their own government," wrote GNP member the-professor.

*Science Club for Girls, Cambridge, MA.

"Science Club for Girls gives girls an opportunity to explore science in a way that is challenging and engaging, while being mentored by older girls and adult women scientists," wrote GNP member kate19. "For my 9 year old daughter, who has always been interested in science and engineering, it gives her a chance to experience success in something that she loves. SCFG is great for all kinds of girls, but for our daughter, who is not interested in some of the more traditional after school activities for girls, it has been a unique and wonderful experience."

Both the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute and the Fulbright Academy work both inside the U.S. and internationally, which seems especially fitting given that scientific knowledge transcends geographic boundaries.. From its base in the Big Bend region of Texas, the CDRI has forged a working relationship with the government of Mexico, whereas the Fulbright Scholars all studied overseas.

The Science Club for Girls addresses what has long been a gender gap in the fields of science and technology. Closing that gap, by attracting more girls into these fields of study, will be critical to the advance of human knowledge in the future.

GreatNonprofits and our partners wage these monthly campaigns both to increase the number of nonprofit organizations with reviews ( a total that now stands at 5,581 and counting), and to shine a spotlight on those nonprofits whose stakeholders say are doing outstanding work.

In today's troubled economic climate, the role of nonprofits in addressing societal problems is more critical than ever. Making sure their stories get out, therefore, is one of the key aspects of our work.

-- David Weir

Campaign Highlights Wide Diversity of Science Nonprofits

As our 2010 Science & Technology Campaign proceeds throughout the month of August, we are taking note of the many types of nonprofit organizations working to advance our understanding of science and technology, and the variety of methods they employ to do so.

For example, from its base in Washington, D.C., the Council of Scientific Society Presidents plays a vital role in the formation of U.S. government policy on scientific and technology issues.

"Science has self organized into scientific societies since the 1600s, notes reviewer jumars. "Virtually all are nonprofits. Their primary functions are to share research interests among members at meetings and to publish scientific results in their separate fields. Most practicing scientists learn how to present, review and publish scientific information. Unfortunately, most scientific societies are shrinking. The Council of Scientific Society Presidents (CSSP) is an organization--a nonprofit of nonprofits--that enables the survival and growth of scientific societies by catalyzing networking among the societies' presidents. These presidents are uniquely capable of networking because of their intimate knowledge of their own societies and communications skills at least sufficient to be elected. The CSSP allowed my society to compare financial models among other nonprofit scientific society and develop a model that succeeds in the subfield of aquatic sciences. The risks are substantial for most scientific societies because they depend on income from publications in an arena increasingly dominated by monopolistically inclined megapublishers. The CSSP gives member societies the information and confidence needed to compete. The CSSP is also uniquely qualified to inform government leaders on scientific issues. Working through the active nodes of current society presidents, information that government leaders need is at hand on a time scale relevant to government and even politics. Through action with sister societies brought together by CSSP, scientists increase their impact on policy. One-page position papers approved by the entire CSSP membership (representing 1.4 million scientists and science educators) are very selective means for providing clearly reasoned positions and taking collective action. Their value is well recognized on 'The Hill.'"

Another nonprofit getting reviews in the campaign is the Leeward Space Center, of Americus, GA.

"For the last 40 years i have been active in many space advocacy organizations, as a volunteer and/or board member and/or officer, including L-5 Society, National Space Society (including several chapters), MSDC, CVSS, Oregon-L5, AIAA, amongst others, notes reviewer charles11. "Whilst I continue to generally support those organizations, I have recently decided to focus my primary energy through Leeward Space Foundation. The leadership of LSF has incredible energy, enthusiasm and a “can-do” attitude the like of which I have not encountered for a very long time. It is extremely refreshing to be working as part of such a dedicated and capable team. At last I am truly confident that we will take humanity's quest into space to the next level in my lifetime."

The Emerald Coast Science Center, in Fort Walton Beach, FL, is also getting stakeholder reviews.

"Emerald Coast Science Center has a wonderful small classroom environment for teaching kids," writes davreb. "My children love the teaching that is done there and the staff really helps with Human Body, Biological, Physics, Plant Life, and Astronomy. So far we have not been able to take the Astronomy Class because we have to travel so far to get there. The ECSC is well worth the travel and the three hour day in the month Home school Program is a must for our children. My children come out saying, 'Oh, is this school?'"

We also are pleased to have a new partner in the campaign, The Franklin Institute, which is one of America’s oldest and premier centers of science education and development in the country and continues its dedication to public education and creating a passion for science by offering new and exciting access to science and technology in ways that would dazzle and delight its namesake. The Institute joins Guidestar, NTEN, TechSoup Global, Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, Association for Women in Science, Inveneo, and Tonic in helping us promote science and technology nonprofits throughout the month of August.

Any nonprofit receiving at least ten new positive reviews during the campaign will be named to our 2010 Top-Rated Science & Technology Nonrpofits List. the campaign will wrap up on August 31st.

-- David Weir

Large Spike in Dead or Injured Animals Noted Near BP Spill Site

Though BP’s relief well is just days from completion, the threat of yet another possible hurricane may delay the permanent underground plug of the oil spill.

At the moment, the threat is slowly moving through the Gulf of Mexico as Tropical Depression Five, but there is a possibility that the depression could gain momentum and evolve into Tropical Storm Danielle.

BP’s damaged well has not spilled a significant amount of oil since it was temporarily capped in mid-July, but it will not be permanently sealed off until the relief well is completed.

Curiously, although the amount of oil leaking from the damaged well has decreased significantly since the temporary cap was placed on it, US officials have reported a jump in the number of animals injured or killed by the oil spill in the last week.

In last week alone, wildlife officials collected 177 sea turtles, which is more than the total number collected in the first two months of the oil spill. Additionally, the National Wildlife Federation reported that the number of oiled birds collected had nearly doubled from 37 to 71 a day since the well was capped.

While it’s uncertain why the numbers of injured or dead animals have increased recently, some officials speculate that it has to do with the number of hatchlings that have tragically taken their first flights straight into the oil.

Fortunately, there are numerous organizations mobilizing efforts in the Gulf Coast to clean and save oiled birds. Among them are the National Audubon Society, Sierra Club and Save Our Seabirds.

One reviewer, seabirdshawn, praised Save Our Seabirds for its dedication to bird rescue: “My time with [Save Our Seabirds] has been a wonderful learning experience that has taught me to appreciate the feathered friends we have and how best to avoid contact and causing them injury…The most fulfilling aspect has been the rescue and release of injured birds. I have personally rescued osprey, cormorants, egrets, ducks and baby birds of many types. I have also been involved in releasing rehabilitated birds back into their habitats. This was an amazing experience as you see the bird emerge from its transport, stretch its wings and take off.”

-- Xenia Shih

SciTech Nonprofits Try to Fill the Gap in Science Education

With cuts in school funding making headlines all over the country, it might be a good time to look into the role some nonprofits are playing in trying to enhance science education in the U.S.

One such organization is the Youth Science Center, in Hacienda Heights, CA.

"The Youth Science Center is a superb organization with quality programs that proves science can be fun for youngsters," writes kimonorris. "I hope the YSC is able to form new partnerships in the future with surrounding school districts to help fill in the gaps that were left when our leaders in Sacramento gutted education funding."

Another reviewer, 1yscmom, writes: "I first got involved with the YSC in the late 1980's when my 7-year-old daughter took a class on electricity. I was amazed when she brought home a working flashlight she had made out of a battery, wires, a toilet paper tube, and a switch. It was one of many take-home projects she made that week, including a magnetic toy and a battery. She was able to explain how and why they worked, and she had FUN! ... The operating word is passion: You get the feeling that they all really care about what they do. And it shows. Oh, and do I think the YSC had any influence on my daughter's life? I think so. She has been pursuing studies in particle physics and is scheduled to receive her doctorate next year. Yes, I think so."

The Algalita Marine Research Foundation, in Long Beach, CA, also provides vital educational services in the form of research into the impact of plastic debris on our oceans.

"A year or so ago my grandchildren and I attended a lecture/children's program give by Algalita ," writes denny2boys. "Ever since then we have been collecting trash on the beach EVERY time we go. Two weeks ago while on the beach in Seal Beach we were playing in the sand while waiting for a table for brunch. My 7 year old granddaughter found a nurdle and announced 'look I found a Charlie pebble'. Pretty soon we had a handful. This amazing foundation was able to make a lasting educational experience for a six year old. She is our future and the knowledge she now holds will hopefully lead to cleaner oceans. Thank you ALGALITA!"

The Ocean River Institute in Cambridge, MA, was reviewed by caroline6: "Thank you ORI for bringing attention to our ocean and water systems! They are badly neglected and we are destroying them at an alarming rate. More attention must be paid to our most precious resource after air: water."

Another impressive nonprofit, the Wonderlab Museum of Science, Health & Technology, in Bloomington IN, was reviewed by sfoxworthy:

"Wonderlab is an invaluable science education resource for children in Bloomington and in Indiana. The museum features comprehensive science exhibits and covers biology, earth science, chemistry and physics. In addition, there are a plethora of programs for families and children to enjoy including summer camps, featured topics (i.e. science of limestone, science of beer and cheese for adults, and science and art). This nonprofit is highly respected in the community and makes science more accessible to children outside of the classroom. I had the opportunity to volunteer for the organization to help with their annual fundraiser. Not only does Wonderlab offer superb service to the public, it also shows appreciation for volunteers. I have had a wonderful experience and hope to volunteer there more!"

Here is what richardmatthews has to say about the Summer Science Program in Cary, in NC:

"How do we raise the next generation of leaders in science and technology? ... I remember my first day as a student at SSP. I'd never been away from home. I'd never been challenged by being surrounded by so many extraordinary people. My father had recently been hospitalized, which was an emotional strain on me as well as a financial one on my family. I was terrified. SSP covered my tuition, as it has done with so many others year after year. That was the first of many hurdles SSP helped me get over. SSP made me feel at home...This was an amazing family I joined that day... Ultimately, I feel certain that SSP helped me get into the best college for me (Caltech). It helped prepare me for what I needed to do to succeed at Caltech. Then being at Caltech helped me get opportunities and succeed throughout my career. It is impossible to know where I'd be without SSP, but I have no doubt that it changed my entire life. This is why we need SSP. We need to identify top students and help get them past the challenges they face, so they can reach their full potential."

The Einstein Project, in Green Bay, WI, was reviewed by Karmen Lemke:

"The Einstein Project is a nonprofit organization partnering with schools and communities to provide leadership and support for science education in Wisconsin. The Project offers 41 inquiry-based science units, developed by the Smithsonian Institution and National Academy of Sciences, to schools giving children the opportunity to learn by doing. The units allow schools to provide an exemplary hands-on science curriculum for students. The eight to twelve week units contain enough materials for an entire class and are leased to schools for a modest fee. My daughter loved the 2nd grade unit 'The Life Cycle of Butterflies'. It opened her eyes and curiosity to nature and the world around her. I would highly recommend Einstein science for schools."

All of these reviews have come in this month as part of our 2010 Science and Technology Campaign, conducted in partnership with Guidestar, NTEN, TechSoup Global, Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, Association for Women in Science, Inveneo, and Tonic.

-- David Weir

Oil Spill’s Effects Reach Far Beyond Gulf

Although GreatNonprofits is located in the San Francisco Bay Area -- a continent away from the Gulf of Mexico -- repercussions from the BP oil spill continue to reverberate here 15 weeks after the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded.

Just recently, the University of California at Berkeley came under fire for a $500 million grant it was given by BP three years ago. The grant was part of a 10-year deal to create the Energy Biosciences Institute, which aims to find plant-based alternatives to fossil fuels.

In the wake of the oil spill, some students and professors are calling for the early termination of what is one of the largest corporate sponsorships of university research on record. Opponents of the sponsorship say they are worried about its effects on the university's reputation as well as on the institute's ability to conduct objective research.

University officials say they have no plans to end the research partnership with BP.

Meanwhile, across the Bay in San Francisco, some nonprofit organizations are coming together in a non-traditional show of support for a clean energy future. On Thursday, August 5, DJ Miguel Migs and more than 20 other DJs will be joined by leading environmental nonprofits at Temple Nightclub in San Francisco for a "fundraiser and celebration of community."

The event, which is called Reverb: The Bay Area Response to the Gulf Oil Spill, will feature 350.org, Sierra Club, Rainforest Action Network, Women's Earth Alliance, Green For All, Alliance for Climate Education, Green Festival, No on 23/CCEJ and Surfrider.

All proceeds from the event (there is a suggested $20 donation) will go to the participating nonprofits.

Several of these nonprofits have been reviewed on GreatNonprofits. Here's what reviewers had to say:

Sierra Club, drcockerham “If the Sierra Club was given $100 million, I feel confident they would save the world. As it stands now, I suspect the Sierra Club will be an integral part of the solution…doing it the “hard” way, by mobilizing 100,000 creative, passionate, profoundly thoughtful, and deeply caring member volunteers. To put these comments in context, I need to confess that I became aware of the work of the Sierra Club as soon as I was old enough to realize that the environment was headed for trouble if we didn’t change the way we lived, worked, and played.”

Rainforest Action Network, Banner Grrrl “RAN is simply the most effective organization working for environmental justice in the US today. They are small but strategic and scrappy. If you are a corporation profiting from global destruction and RAN sets [its] sights on you – look out! They just may pull out the good inside your corporation and get you to Do The Right Thing…the planet is the bottom line for RAN, and RAN gets [results]."

Surfrider Foundation, YCTA “How many non profits can say that they have helped stop a massive toll road project that was proposed to run right through one of the most historic surf spots in So. Cal? Now, they are rallying the members to speak out against more offshore gas and oil drilling. Hooray Surfrider Foundation!!!”

-- Xenia Shih

Early Reviews of SciTech Nonprofits Start Coming In

Several nonprofits are receiving user reviews in the early days of our 2010 Science & Technology Nonprofits Campaign, conducted in partnership with GuideStar, NTEN, TechSoup Global, Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, Association for Women in Science and Tonic.

Among those reviewed is the Ballona Institute, in Playa del Ray, CA.

"I am an educator who made it a priority to work with my students in a half-acre nature center at school," writes janeannej. "As part of environmental science, students learned organic gardening and also participated with the Ballona Institute in various activities designed to restore wetlands. I was one of the group leaders of the activities, which included a nature walk, building a nature trail, restoring a sand dune, picking up litter brought by storm drains to the estuary, and nature art in the park. I worked with the Ballona Institute to encourage the City of Los Angeles to trade a vacant city property to a developer in exchange for a parcel called Egret Park which he wanted to develop. Such a development would adversely affect wetland wildlife. The Ballona Institute provides nature walks with a biologist several times each month, in addition to sponsoring community restoration projects and mentoring local high school students in wetland restoration."

Another organization attracting reviews is the Youth Science Center, of Hacienda Heights, CA.

"I went to the Youth Science Center every year starting from first grade all the way through eighth grade, and continued to volunteer all the way through my college years," writes jbchen. "Each teacher presents science material in a unique and very interesting way. Many of the lessons are taught through a hands on project that each student creates, such as a model rocket to learn about Newton's laws of motion, or making circuit boards to understand how electric circuits work. The projects are not only fun to do, but allow students of all ages to grasp the concepts involved in the project much faster than if they were simply taught by a lecture in a classroom. The entire organization is run by very kind and caring people who teach there because they absolutely love their role in inspiring young students to one day become our future engineers and leaders in the field of science."

Any organization that gathers at least ten positive reviews during the month of August will qualify for the Top-Rated Science & Technology List, which will be published at the conclusion of the campaign.

Calling All Science and Technology Oriented Nonprofits

We are excited today to be launching the 2010 GreatNonprofits Science & Technology Campaign to identify top-rated organizations working in science, technology, and multimedia areas.

GuideStar is jointly sponsoring this campaign, which will run throughout the month of August.

We also welcome the following excellent partners: NTEN, TechSoup Global, Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, Association for Women in Science and Tonic .

Any health nonprofit has at least 10 positive stakeholder reviews by midnight, August 31st will be recognized on the GreatNonprofits Top-Rated SciTech Nonprofits List.

“There so many wonderful nonprofit organizations working on science, technology and multimedia issues,” said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits. “Through this campaign, we hope to shine a spotlight on their important work – whether it’s through advancing scientific knowledge, offering education resources, or employing tech solutions to solve local and global problems.”

The user reviews gathered by GreatNonprofits are written by anyone with personal experience with a nonprofit, i.e., a donor, volunteer, board member, client, or member of the public.

Over the past year more than 450,000 people visited GreatNonprofits to read and write these reviews.

For more about the campaign, we encourage you to check out the excellent story on our partner Tonic's site.

About the Campaign

The science & technology campaign will run throughout the month of August and all reviews will appear on both the GreatNonprofits.org and GuideStar.org websites. Nonprofits with 10 or more positive reviews will be included on the GreatNonprofits Top-Rated SciTech Nonprofits List. Review submissions must take place from August 1st through 31st, 2010.

Partners:

GuideStar is the leading source of philanthropic information on the web.

Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology provides resources and programs to help industry, academia, and government recruit, retain, and advance women leaders in high-tech fields, resulting in higher levels of technological innovation.

Association for Women in Science We envision a day when women of all ages will participate fully in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as manifested through equal opportunity, pay equity and recognition commensurate with their accomplishments.

Nonprofit Technology Network is the membership organization of nonprofit professionals who put technology to use for their causes; NTEN helps you do your job better, so you can make the world a better place.

TechSoup Global's TechSoup.org is a nonprofit offering other nonprofits free information, resources, support, and a product philanthropy service making software donations to hundreds of thousands of nonprofits from 40 major technology providers, including Microsoft, Cisco, Symantec, Intuit, Adobe and Sun.

Tonic is a digital media company dedicated to promoting the good that happens around the world each day. We share the stories of people and organizations that are making a difference by inspiring good in themselves and others.

Last Call: Animal Welfare Nonprofits

Our 2010 Animal Welfare Nonprofits Campaign is wrapping up today and tomorrow, and we are just two organizations short of 100 as the count of those that have gotten new user reviews during the month of July.

Of the 98 that have reviews, around 20 have qualified for our Top-Rated Animal Nonprofits List, which will be published on Monday. These are the nonprofits that have gathered at least ten positive reviews during the campaign.

We'd like to thank our extraordinary list of partners -- the American Humane Association, Animal Legal Defense Fund, the Humane Society of the United States, Wildlife Forever, I Love Rescue Animals, K9 Magazine, DogTipper.com, The Pet Museum, and No Meat Athlete -- for their help during the campaign.

So c'mon, animal lovers. You can do it! Get some reviews of two more nonprofits working on behalf of animals and we'll reach the magic number of 100 organizations with new stakeholder reviews during this campaign!

About the Campaign

The animal campaign ran throughout the month of July and all reviews appear on the GreatNonprofits.org website. Nonprofits with 10 or more positive reviews are listed on the GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Animal Welfare Nonprofits List. Review submissions must have been received from July 1st through July 31st, 2010.

Partners in the Campaign

American Humane Association Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane provides national leadership in developing policies, legislation, curricula and training programs -- and taking actions -- to protect children and animals from cruelty, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Animal Legal Defense Fund For more than three decades, the Animal Legal Defense Fund has been fighting to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system.

DogTipper.com features tips for dog lovers, by dog lovers as well as news, product reviews, celebrity canines, and more.

The Humane Society of the United States, which is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, has worked since 1954 to celebrate animals and confront cruelty in all its forms.

I Love Rescue Animals is a site dedicated to celebrating rescued animals, supporting shelters, rescues and animal rights organizations and to animal welfare worldwide. We seek to raise awareness utilizing the vast resources available online through social media and to inspire others to make a difference in their own communities.

K9 Magazine is the leading lifestyle title for modern, forward thinking dog lovers. Featuring a most diverse selection of content, everything from expert dog advice, book reviews and opinion to free pet stuff, pet product reviews and high quality editorial. Get a free trial copy today!

No Meat Athlete shares vegetarian recipes, marathon- and triathlon-training advice, and animal-friendly product reviews to spread the message that you can achieve incredible things without eating animals.

The Pet Museum The lives, times, art and history of our pets.

Wildlife Forever conserves America’s fish and wildlife through education, preservation of habitat and management of all things wild.

Nonprofits Try to Help Mitigate Oil Spill Effects

Some 100 days after the BP explosion and the resulting oil spill, the giant company has yet to rid the Gulf Coast of crude, but it has gotten rid of CEO Tony Hayward.

Hayward will step down on October 1 and be replaced by current managing director Robert Dudley as part of an effort to shake off the negative publicity BP continues to get from the oil spill and Hayward's repeated PR gaffes.

Meanwhile, cleanup crews press on as obstacle after obstacle hampers relief efforts. As we reported in June, Hurricane Alex halted cleanup with its strong winds and 12-foot high waves, and just last weekend, Tropical Storm Bonnie forced the evacuation of the nearly 2,000 people working at the oil spill site.

In what might be the strangest obstacle yet, cleanup crews are now having trouble locating the spilled oil. The formerly Kansas-sized oil slick has now shrunk to the size of New Hampshire, and this is not all due to cleanup efforts. According to experts, the mysteriously disappearing oil is either just hidden beneath the surface of the water or has been broken apart by sun, water and wind.

Unfortunately, this does not mean that the oil spill will clean itself up, and some Bay Area nonprofits are taking their operations to the Gulf Coast in an effort to expedite the cleanup.

One such organization is the International Bird Rescue Research Center, whose volunteers have set up rescue centers and have washed oiled birds -- sometimes up to 14 hours a day. UC Davis's Oiled Wildlife Care Network has set up oil treatments for oil-slicked sea turtles.

Some of our very own GreatNonprofits reviewers have been down the Gulf Coast to lend a helping hand in the relief efforts. bigpelicanfan writes:

"Following the terrible oil spill in the Gulf I felt an obligation to try to mitigate the effects of this ecological disaster with my humble contributions, however tiny in comparison they may be. So I set out to focus my efforts on a local organization and found this small but dedicated group- the Choctawhatachee Coastal Conservancy. Meanwhile, I have experienced first hand the devotion of this group toward saving our coastal treasures. The Coastal Conservancy's invaluable work in wildlife rehabilitation and ecological conservation is an integral part of a long term strategy for preserving our coastal ecosystems in all of their natural beauty and biodiversity."

If you have been to the Gulf Coast to volunteer with a nonprofit in the animal rescue efforts, we encourage you to share your experiences by writing a review.

-- Xenia Shih

Animal Nonprofits Make Final Push for Top-Rated Status

At the start of the final week of our 2010 Animal Welfare Campaign, more than 89 nonprofits working on behalf of animals have received stakeholder reviews at GreatNonprofits.org, and 15 have attained "Top-Rated" status, which requires ten or more positive reviews filed during the month of July.

We have partnered with the American Humane Association, Animal Legal Defense Fund, the Humane Society of the United States, Wildlife Forever, I Love Rescue Animals, K9 Magazine, DogTipper.com, The Pet Museum, and No Meat Athlete for this campaign.

Among the organizations already achieving top-rated status is the Animal Legal Defense Fund, headquartered in Cotati, CA.

"After a tragic incident occurred with my dog Ruby and the negligence of her vet (see http://www.rubydogclark.com for story), I sought guidance for steps to take to ensure this does not happen to anyone else or their animal companion," wrote rubydog7. "The ALDF's website had information that helped me move forward with filing a complaint against the vet board and identifying the lack of legal rights our animals actually have. It is encouraging to see there is an organization such as ALDF to assist consumers with knowledge about animal rights or lack there of and to provide guidance on what steps and actions can be taken by consumers to make the world a better place for our animals."

Another top-rated nonprofit, the International Exotic Feline Sanctuary, in Boyd, TX.

"With a lifelong passion for animals and the environment, and after graduating college with a degree in Environmental Science, I found an internship at IEAS was the perfect next step," wrote.ebyn. "As soon as I arrived, I was blown away with the facility and the dedication of all the employees. The habitats are developed to provide the most enriching and natural environment possible. I personally witnessed the transformation of animals arriving scared and in poor health into healthy and active residents who utilize the environmental stimuli provided them. As I make my yearly return visit, I am able to continue to observe these animals' growth and development. My internship at IEAS provided me with a sound basis for the next step in my career."

The Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, of Arlington, VA, has also qualified for top-rated status.

"When I decided that I wanted to volunteer for an animal rescue organization, I did a lot of research into the different organizations in my area to determine which agreed best with my personal views on animal rescue," wrote jessica26. "LDCRF was a clear winner for me with their large volunteer foster program, well thought out adoption procedures, and the fact that all animals are spayed/neutered before adoption. I have greatly enjoyed working for this wonderful organization and am looking forward to doing even more in the future."

The Animal Welfare Campaign is dedicated to spotlighting the excellent work of nonprofits working on behalf of animals, domestic and wild, here and overseas. The campaign wraps up at midnight, July 31st.

How a Twitter Campaign Helped Animal Nonprofits

We recently embarked on an experiment here at GreatNonprofits to see whether we could use Twitter to generate more buzz as well as more of the stakeholder reviews that form the core content on the our site.

Since social media strategies are of increasing importance to all nonprofits these days, we want to share the results of this experiment here.

We felt that the Animal Welfare Campaign that we are conducting this July had the ability to go viral, because many of the participating nonprofits maintain active Twitter accounts.

Thus, we launched the Animal Twitter Campaign, in the form of a contest.

The contest format was simple. Nonprofits were given points for three actions -- Tweeting about the campaign, having their followers Tweet about GreatNonprofits, or gaining more user reviews while the campaign was going on.

They had three days to try and gain the most points. The contest winner would be featured on the GreatNonprofits home page.

Almost immediately, we saw an influx of Tweets resulting from this initiative.

RockyCoolCat: eye wuz reskewed RT @TheCatNetwork Last chance help homeless #cats in the @GreatNonprofits Twitter challenge.

UAN1987: "UAN is comprised of people who are passionate about what they do and it is contagious" review us @Greatnonprofits http://bit.ly/bCfh66”

Peta: Calling all activists & supporters. Got some kind words 2 say about us? Give us a review over on @GreatNonprofits: http://bit.ly/dndBap

The Tweets came from all types of users and organizations; ranging PETA, a national organization with 77,144 followers; to The Lowry Park Zoo, a local organization with only 1,486 followers.

One of the beauties of social media like Twitter is how they can level the playing field between large and small nonprofits, at least when it comes to marketing campaigns.

At the end of three days, The Cat Network, headquartered in Miami, FL, was our winner. They had leveraged their devoted followers and cranked out an impressive 26 Retweets.

The Suncoast Humane Society in Englewood, FL, ran a close second and attracted 14 new reviews in 3 days.

United Animal Nations in Sacramento, CA, was the third-place finisher.

Meanwhile, the increase in buzz about GreatNonprofits and our campaign was substantial – we experienced a 410 percent increase in Twitter mentions during the days of the campaign.

In addition, the increased conversation around GreatNonprofits helped bring in 46 new reviews and helped five nonprofits reach the Top Ranked List for our animal campaign.

Of the twelve organizations that participated in this experiment with us, seven gained new reviews, and others seemed to benefit one way or another.

So this social media campaign was a success from our perspective, and we’ll be running more in the future and reporting on the results here on our blog.

-- Rachel Heredia

Land Berms Off Louisiana May Do “More Harm Than Good”

Day 92 of the BP oil spill: over 92,000,000 gallons of oil leaked and at least 2095 dead birds, 467 dead sea turtles, and 61 dead mammals collected.

The good news is that, for the first time since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded on April 20, BP has significantly slowed the oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico. An experimental cap placed over the gushing well last week has offered a temporary solution while BP considers its options for permanently sealing its well.

While BP searches for a solution, one state has taken matters into its own hands. Louisiana has begun work on a man-made arc of islands just off its coast that it hopes will prevent oil from reaching its marshes. The state is using mounds of dirt and sandbags to construct the island, which is less than a mile long but is envisioned to be 128 miles long at completion.

The decision by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and state officials to build the arc of islands is controversial. Some scientists have voiced concerns that disrupting the natural flow of water is dangerous, while others expressed doubt that the sand berms will be able to stand up to pounding waves.

Scientists aren’t the only ones who have reservations about Louisiana’s island plan. Aaron Viles of the Gulf Restoration Network said the state’s island construction “may be doing more harm than good,” especially since it will be so costly.

Meanwhile, GreatNonprofits is in the process of gathering reviews of nonprofit organizations like the Gulf Restoration Network that work on behalf of animals, both wild and domestic, during July. One review we’ve received of the Gulf Restoration Network was written by vicki9698:

“I worked for the Gulf Restoration Network between 2002 and 2006…The GRN’s effectiveness continues to improve in leaps and bounds and they are bringing national attention to a regional issue that has such wide-reaching implications. I believe that the GRN will continue to be a leader in preserving one of our nation’s greatest natural treasures and I look forward to continuing to play a role in their success.”

-- Xenia Shih

Local Humane Societies Gathering Reviews From Around the U.S.

Our first-ever Animal Welfare Campaign this month has attracted reviews of at least 72 nonprofits working on behalf of animals so far, with ten organizations qualifying for our top-rated list, which will be published at the end of the campaign.

We are conducting the campaign in partnership with the American Humane Association, Animal Legal Defense Fund, the Humane Society of the United States, Wildlife Forever, I Love Rescue Animals, K9 Magazine, DogTipper.com, The Pet Museum, and No Meat Athlete.

Several of the top-rated nonprofits are local-based Humane Societies, which are not to be confused with the national organization that we are working with. These shelters have been praised by numerous reviewers in their communities.

One reviewer, diwfeld, writes about the Suncoast Humane Society, in Englewood, FL:

"Being able to help out at Suncoast is a privilege. Spending time with the dogs is such a gift since, even the scared, newly-placed dogs seem to understand pretty quickly that they are in a safe place. The care there is delicious and it is heart-warming to watch animals get adopted, even after being there a long time. With very little money, the leaders of the organization have worked wonders."

The Houston Humane Society is also receiving positive reviews, such as this one from mariasmagic:

"I am currently disabled and have pets that I have in my care. I felt at a loss when I became disabled and could not get shots etc. for my dogs. I found the Houston Humane Society and they were a big help. I was not the only one there and as I spoke to many of the other clients. I was told over and over that they would not have been able to keep their pets well and current in their vaccinations. All of my dogs are rescue dogs and I am glad that there are places like the Houston Humane Society available for people to find a forever home for an unwanted animal."

Of the Humane Society Silicon Valley in Milipitas, CA, reviewer surbhi1 writes:

"I have never seen such a loving and well organized volunteer organization. I am a dog socializer with HSSV and from the very first day I felt the love and sincerity the team of employees and volunteers feel for the animals. The wonderful conditions the animals are kept in, cared for and how each person involved with this organization feels responsible for the animals. The dogs have individual rooms with music playing to calm them, clean quarters with food and a great deal of TLC. The cats have their own royal rooms with amply space and corners for them to feel comfortable. I am extremely impressed and honored to be a part of such a noble organization."

Note: This post has been corrected to reflect the fact that the Humane Society is a national advocacy organization that is not affiliated with local Humane Societies.