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We can help you change the world for free






Our mission at DemocracyInAction is the same as yours: Save our planet and preserve it for generations to come.

That can be a daunting task for a nonprofit, especially in today?s economy.

So why not make it easier by using our powerful, user-friendly online organizing tools -- absolutely free?

DemocracyInAction Empowers Grants help great organizations like yours brush aside the barriers to online success.

We're a leading provider of online advocacy and organizing tools in the progressive movement, with over 400 nonprofits utilizing our Salsa platform to communicate with their supporters and encouraging them to take action.

With our toolset, Salsa, your organization can
  • E-mail action alerts
  • Generate constituent messages to state and federal representatives
  • Process online donations
  • Manage events
  • ... and much, much more
DemocracyInAction Green Empowers grants put all the power of Salsa in your hands, completely free of charge and obligation.

Just tell us how you'll use the Internet once money is no object by filling out the application below!

When you receive the Empowers grant, your organization also becomes a part of the DIA community and can take advantage of trainings and events, and learn how to be more effective at online organizing by collaborating with the thousands of activists who use our tools every day. To see how other environmental groups have used Salsa, click here. To see past Empowers Grants recipients and how they?re using Salsa, click here.

Details

To apply, fill out the application below. (Note: You may want to work on your answers offline and then paste them into the form so you don't lose your work.) Groups of all sizes are encouraged to apply. DIA will award grants to up to 5 organizations that best demonstrate ability and creativity to effectively use the tools we provide. Grants will waive setup and monthly fees for our full platform of services, excluding chapters. Groups that are not selected can still become DIA member organizations through our normal signup process.

Rules

DIA Empowers Grants are open to any 501(c)3 nonprofit that shares our commitment to social justice and ecological issues and progressive values.

Groups must discuss in their application how they plan to leverage the Salsa toolset to advocate for green issues.

Existing DIA members are not eligible to apply.

 Deadline for submissions is Friday, May 22, 2009. Chosen recipients will be announced Monday, June 1, 2009. Selected organizations will be required to display the DemocracyInAction grant recipient logo on all webpages and email created through the platform and help DemocracyInAction write a case study on their use of our tools.

Note: Free use of the Salsa toolset will last through May, 2010. Following that date groups can continue paying our standard monthly fees, but will not owe a setup fee. DIA requires organizations to sign a 1-year contract, but you can terminate your contract at any point with 30 days' notice, so there is no obligation to become a paying member organization. (We hope you will stick around after the grant runs out -- there will be plenty more work to do!)

Questions? Email info (at) democracyinaction.org or call 202-558-2808 x144. Already have Salsa? Tell a friend about the grant!

How did you hear about Green Grants?
What is the mission of your organization? *

Is your organization a 501(c)(3) organization? *
Website/URL (You must have a website) *
What is the size of your email list? *
What is the green campaign that you’d like to put resources into and see growth in this year? If you don’t currently have a campaign, if you could have one what would it be? What's your goal for this campaign? *

How would you use an email tool to grow your organization and mobilize your supporters? What types of emails does your organization currently send (i.e. action, fundraising, newsletters, etc.)? What tools do you currently use for email communications? *

How would you use online advocacy tools to grow your organization and mobilize your supporters? Have you ever run a campaign to have your supporters contact their elected officials and how did that go? If not, what are some ideas you have for conducting online organizing campaigns? *

Does your organization have an online fundraising program? If so, how much money has been raised from it in the last six months and what difference will having tools like Salsa make? If not, how do you plan on using Salsa's fundraising tools to raise money online? *

What other ways is your organization currently using the Internet to communicate with and mobilize supporters? How would you rate your current level of Internet sophistication? *