The National Inclusion Project
I actually interned for a nonprofit company last summer called The National Inclusion Project. The company was founded in the Raleigh/Durham area and since then has made major contributions. The company’s mission statement is: “The National Inclusion Project serves to bridge the gap between young people with disabilities and the world around them.” They partner with companies such as YMCAs and other camps/schools in order to complete this mission. It’s social good initiative is to provide inclusion to thousands of children nationwide and to raise awareness nationally about the need and benefits of inclusion. Since I have worked directly with this nonprofit, I have experienced how they get things done, and in particular how they raise money. Although most of their money comes from private donations, they are working hard to fundraise and reach their goals.
The company obtains data by asking for personal information that can be used for identification and contact. They also obtain data from donations, although this is strictly private to anyone outside the company. Through the use of web beacons, cookies and emails and newsletters they obtain other data as well.
As far as where the data is coming from, they have a Privacy Policy page that can be found at the bottom of their website. This is where their Donor Privacy Policy is stated. It also discusses their use of personal data, aggregate data and general matters on how a copy of your Personal Information may exist, but could not easily be located by them. They can release personal information to third parties in certain cases. I’m assuming that the way they would benefit most from the use of big data would be in areas of fundraising. It is an established company, but is on the smaller side, and could use a lot of help in this area.
I believe they benefit from pursuing the public good by reaching their goals and seeing instances where inclusion is really making a difference. They have a Facebook page, and I enjoy reading their posts about stories of inclusion. Some of them are truly inspiring. When I volunteered for their Save the Day 5K last year, I was able to see how such a great turnout for the event had a huge impact on all of the staff members.
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As is the case here, and with many companies in general, I wonder why donation info is, “private to anyone outside the company.” Is there a specific clause that excludes companies from having to disclose donation information? I would think it would be a matter of public record, although I could be wrong. Regardless, it’s interesting to see some companies claiming to do work for the public good, while keeping their data from the public. Of course I’m not saying that is the case with the particular organization in this post, it’s just something interesting to think about.
The things you described about this company (nondisclosure of donation data, privacy policies, etc.) seem to be pretty standard for many non-profit organizations. I think one reason why donation data might be non-disclosed is to protect the donors, who for a number of reasons might want their donation’s amount and source to remain private and unaccessible. In some cases, the company, with the donor’s approval, could certainly release and discuss the donation data, but it remains safer, probably, to keep it private until told otherwise.