Small staff associations: now’s your chance to get recognized by YouTube! For the third year in a row, the online video giant is awarding prizes – including grants – to the best in nonprofit videos as part of the Do Gooder Nonprofit Awards.

If you’re a member of YouTube’s Nonprofit Program, submit your video by February 29! This is a great opportunity to spread the word about your organization and get some awesome publicity! Keep in mind: it doesn’t matter how small or big your organization is. Great videos deserve the recognition!

Check out the video (above) and get even more info about the contest here!

Happy Thursday! Hard to believe another weekend is almost upon us. I hope everyone’s week has been productive and quick!

Every week or so we like to share some great slideshows and presentations from the community. Here are a few new ones; let us know what you think!

You guys have heard of Groupon and other group-buying coupon sites, right? Well, drumroll please … Philanthroper is the same thing, but with charities!

Basically, the concept is that the site works with one charity a day and tries to convince as many people as possible to donate just $1 to that particular charity.

Another interesting thing to note? Philanthroper is interested in small charities. In its own words:

[W]e’re interested in nonprofits that make $1 million or less in revenue a year who are doing something really exceptional—bringing tangible change. [...] We look at their 990s (tax returns), read whatever information is out there and actually talk to these groups to really understand their mission from their perspective.

I think the idea of helping out organizations in need and inspiring a large amount of people to contribute is admirable. The site is pretty small right now — there are currently no ads — but hopefully it will gain traction in the coming months.

Also, the site claims to “never take a cut from your donation.” They’ve partnered with myPayy, which takes just one cent out of every dollar in transactional fees and Philanthroper keeps nothing.

Would your nonprofit be interested in participating in Philanthroper?

I have absolutely no idea how I hadn’t heard of this before, but I just found out today about the YouTube Nonprofit Program. Basically, YouTube provides nonprofit organizations with premium branding capabilities, the option to allow fundraising through a Google “Donate” button and tons more tips and tricks!

Right now, the program is only available in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia. Additionally, YouTube stipulates that the campaign cannot be focused on religion or politics.

Other benefits include:

- A listing on the Nonprofit channels and the Nonprofit videos pages
- Option to add a “Call to action” overlay on videos to drive campaigns

The tips page is definitely helpful, and includes information on how to customize your organization’s channel, develop content and network and distribute your videos.

The program also brings organizations with similar missions together, allowing them to partner and work together.

I think YouTube’s suggestion to tell serial stories is a fantastic one – decide on a theme or central message for your campaign and keep viewers coming back for more. Additionally, weaving any current events into your videos will make them that much more timely and significant.

I previously wrote about YouTube as part of the “Beyond the Big Three” series here. I wrote a lot about what YouTube can do as part of providing a virtual conference experience, but videos can truly be more powerful than just interviews with attendees or keynote speakers.

Online video is absolutely a noteworthy channel and can be a great way for nonprofits to help supplement and drive their campaigns. Through videos and comments on YouTube, your organization can touch base with donors and people who care about your mission.

Tick tock.

In less than one month, on May 15, an estimated one-fifth to one-quarter of nonprofits will lose their tax-exempt statuses with the Internal Revenue Service.

Could your organization be one of them?

According to a New York Times article:

The federal legislation passed in 2006 required all nonprofits to file tax forms the following year. Previously, only organizations with revenues of $25,000 or more — or the vast majority of nonprofit groups — had to file.

The provision gives the IRS the power to revoke the tax-exempt status from organizations that failed to file for three consecutive years.

Unfortunately, a spokesperson from the IRS said notifications probably wouldn’t be sent out until January. Donors to the affected organizations will still be able to take a deduction for gifts – but only until the organization receives a formal notice.

Smaller organizations are the ones most likely to be affected, which could present lots of problems, especially for those who rely on volunteers.

Organizations that lose their tax-exempt status will have to reapply with the IRS – and could actually owe the IRS money if they haven’t filed in the last three years.

For more information, take a look at the IRS’ website explaining the provision.

Thanks to Rebecca Leaman for the tip.

Photo source