More than 1,000 fundraisers will be convening in Washington, DC at the 2007 Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference , July 8-10, 2007, at the Hilton Washington. NTEN is the educational partner at the conference, featuring several tracks focused on online fundraising and using technology in development. We are honored to share our network's vast expertise in using technology and the web in fundraising with the Washington DC AFP community.

Growth in online giving has seen a surge: $6.87 billion was donated online in the US in 2006, a 51% increase over 2005, driven by significant increases in online giving for both small and large organizations and the unprecedented use of the Internet by individuals for non-disaster and disaster support efforts.

“The Internet is fundamentally changing the way people connect with causes and is forcing organizations to re-think the traditional models for communication and fundraising,” said Gene Austin, CEO, Convio, Inc.

While online giving is still small overall, there is steep growth. A surge of interest in philanthropy and civic engagement, with people of all ages online, presents a huge opportunity. Generations X and M -- younger people -- are the next generation of donors. They have money and they're online. Smart nonprofit organizations that want to further their causes go to where their donors are. And they are online.

A joint press release can be found here. NTEN members interested in attending the conference are eligible for a significant member discount.