I got a heads-up about a free event promotion and calendaring service that allows you to create widgets and pages for free.

It took me just a few minutes to sign up, create an event, and customize the widget by adjusting colors (see it below). I also got a web page for added information about the event, RSVPs, and collecting information from those interested. It even allows people to subscribe to event updates.

SpongeCell, the software provider, provides tracking data (widget and page views) and lets you collect your subscribers' contact information. Not bad for a free suite of tools! (The software service also provides email and SMS messaging to your contacts, but fees apply per number of messages sent.)

What's cool is the ease of integration and sharing of the widgets -- think Facebook. I'm not really a techie (I just play one on TV), but I found the back-end management and creative tools very straightforward.

We used Sproutbuilder.com -- more on them later --to create an easy way for you to send a little light-hearted love (and the gift of NTEN) to your favorite Techie for Good.

You can help:

• Send your techie friend an e-Valentine. Your message will be broadcast 'Net-wide through the Sprout.

• Install our "Love Your Techie" widget (below) on your Facebook profile, blog, or whathaveyou to help us get the word out. It's simple! Just click the Sprout's "Share" button.

• Invite all of your socially networked friends to install our widget, as well.

On Love Your Techie Day (February 14th -- if Hallmark can create a holiday, so can we) we'll wrap your message in a pretty package and send it along with a coupon good for 10% off a new NTEN membership; they can use it themselves or pass it on.

You can even send it to yourself. We won't judge.

Thanks for helping us spread the L-word!

PayPal has released the PayPal Kit for Non-Profits, with the claim that qualified organizations -- essentially, you have to have 501(C)(3) status -- can set themselves up to accept donations through a PayPal Donate button in just 45 minutes.

They're also offering $50 to the first 1,000 eligible nonprofits that use the kit to generate $500 in donations by March 31st.

The "kit" isn't so much a kit as a page with links to:

1. Set up your PayPal account
2. Download the instructions for adding the donate button to your site
3. Sign up for the $50 challenge

Their aim seems to be to get smaller organizations and individuals who are starting out with online fundraising campaigns started in a fast and simple way.

So, are their claims true? Can someone with just basic computer knowledge set up the donation widget in less than 45 minutes? If you've had the experience, tell us in comments, below.

Nonprofits interested in person-to-person fundraising face a couple of challenges.

The first is to encourage supporters to launch their own fundraising campaigns in support of the organization's work.

The second is to offer these supporters the right combination of fundraising widgets, social networking plugins (like Facebook applications), and hosted fundraising pages in order to produce successful campaigns.

Join Peter Deitz and NTEN for "Selecting and Implementing the Right Combination of Person-to-Person Fundraising Tools" on Tuesday, November 28th. This webinar will guide development, communications, and technology staff through the process of selecting and implementing the best combination of services for their organizations' needs.

The presentation includes side-by-side comparisons of the leading vendors. Special attention will be given to costs associated processing donations, branding the tools and integrating with existing eCRM platforms.

When: Wednesday, November 28th, 11 am PT / 2 pm ET

Cost: $25 NTEN Members, $50 for Non-Members

> Register Today