The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Charity Advantage Web Service

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Charity Advantage is a membership-based technology organisation for nonprofits working in the United States. For a membership fee of US$33 per month, US-based nonprofit organisations, churches, and religious organisations have access to custom website development, online donations, donor management, an online resource centre, and more. In addition to educating nonprofits and the community about their programmes and services, Charity Advantage works to help nonprofits create a more professional image, collect online donations, gain greater access to funders, recruit volunteers, reduce print and mail costs, improve communication with supporters, and network with other nonprofits - all through the use of information and communication technology (ICT).
Communication Strategies
Website development and maintance offered to not-for-profits. Site maintenance includes unlimited updates and changes to the web site and as many pages at the site as the organization wants. Technical support is also unlimited. The website can be in any language that uses the English alphabet. The standard site comes with five pages. They are "Home", "Mission", "Programmes and Services", "How You Can Help", and "Contact Us". All pages allow for images except "Contact Us". The non-profit can use all of these pages or delete any they choose not to use. Additionally, they have an unlimited number of pages they can add to their site. Examples would be "FAQ", "Upcoming Events", "Donor Appreciation Page", etc. There is also technical support whenever the non-profit needs help. Both e-mail and phone support is available.
Development Issues
Technology.
Key Points
There are 27 professionally designed templates from which the non-profit selects their web design. There is a password-protected Web Site Support Center where the non-profit can add, change, or delete information at any time. Logos, photos, or other images can also be uploaded to the website from the Center. The non-profit writes the text they want on their site in an editor, like Word or WordPerfect, and then copy and paste it at the Web Site Support Center where it is uploaded to their website.

Summary of features and benefits:

a. The website is developed at no charge.

b. The non-profit can choose from a number of professional designs.

c. The non-profit has access 24/7 to their website via the Web Site Support Center.

d. There is no limit to the number of changes the non-profit can make to their site.

e. They can add, delete, or change a page 24/7.

f. The site is ad-free without sponsors or banners.

g. There is no limit to the number of pages at the site.

h. The non-profit has the ability to upload photos, images, and other graphics to their site.

i. The site starts with five basic pages: Home, Mission, Projects and Services, How You Can Help, and Contact Us. They have the option of using any or all of these pages.

j. The non-profit may choose anything they want to replace "organization name" (initials/abbreviation, full name, etc.) within the web address.

k. They also have the option of using their own domain name if they choose (extra cost).

l. There is a link on the website to receive donations online. Any provider can be used for donation management.

m. Included is a search engine registration guide that will enable the user to register their site with the major directories/engines.

n. There is an e-mail collection management system to gather names and e-mail addresses.

o. The non-profits receive unlimited technical support as needed.
Sources

Email from David Epstein to The Communication Initiative on July 18 2001; and Charity Advantage website on June 13 2006.

Comments

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/23/2007 - 18:27 Permalink

Do not believe what you read. Charity Advantage is pretty much a scam.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/23/2007 - 18:30 Permalink

Charity Advantage talks a great talk but delivers little once they get your money. You can not communicate with them. Be forewarned.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/13/2006 - 13:02 Permalink

I am having nothing but trouble with Charity Advantage. They do not answer emails, phone calls or faxes.

moore@csamg.com

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 18:01 Permalink

I assume all the previous comments were in relation to Charity Advantage's monthly subscription service. Does anyone have any experience with their PC sales? Thanks!

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/01/2009 - 11:08 Permalink

The reviews pretty much say that Charity Advantage is a scam - very important when dealing with online donations.

Jill

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/01/2009 - 11:15 Permalink

Comments below are useful re being a scam.

To be fair, the San Diego Better Business Bureau shows no complaints.

Jill

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/25/2009 - 19:41 Permalink

If they are legit, then why do they send my church default (non published) email address spam emails all the time? Whenever a business "guesses" a business/church's email address (ie looks at the domain and adds "info" to the front) and sends unwanted email, you can be sure that I find them suspect. I personally don't have the least bit of respect for CharityAdvantage.com and can't say I'll ever recommend them.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/01/2009 - 16:26 Permalink

Website managers beware... the cost/annual fee charged by Charity Advantage is astronomical ($479 annual)... then they drown you in sales advertising, implying "good deals for charities."
Get smart and find another website service... we use register.com for 1/3 the price, and more up-to-date features.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 17:06 Permalink

We have used them for years. Never had an issue, no marketing nonense - just good service. We were referred by our United Way and many others from that same agency use them too. We talk about it during our meetings.