Salt of the Earth: CRS web site brings in donations, award

Social justice news
April 2001

Catholic Relief Services web site brings in donations, award
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Catholic Relief Services' web site brings in donations, award
Catholic Relief Services snagged honors last month for its Internet fundraising efforts. The relief agency won the inaugural Association of Fundraising Professionals/Commerce One Award for Outstanding Achievement in Fundraising.

CRS's web site (www.catholicrelief.org) has attracted more than 650,000 visitors since its opening in February 1999, reports the organization. It raised more than $1 million in contributions over the Internet as well. "The increasing presence of the Internet in our daily lives has added a new dimension to our efforts to engage the U.S. Catholic population in our work," said Al Brill, acting deputy executive director of CRS.

The web site offers information on international emergencies, news features on development projects, and the opportunity to become involved in CRS's efforts. Six people work on the site.

AFP presented the award during the opening ceremonies of its International Conference on Fundraising in San Diego March 11. The organization created the award to honor nonprofit organizations that use the web to build relationships with visitors and donors and employ ethical, innovative fundraising techniques. AFP President and CEO Paulette Maehara called the CRS web site "an excellent model for all nonprofit organizations."—Anne Graber

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