First there was 10 Nonprofit Text Alert Campaigns. Then 10 Nonprofit Mobile Websites. Now 10 Free Nonprofit iPhone Apps. I thought it was important to lay the foundation of group texting and mobile websites for nonprofits before moving into examining how nonprofits are using iPhone Apps:

1. National Public Radio :: DownloadApp Name: NPR News Updated: March 4, 2010

The ultimate portable NPR experience for your iPhone or iPod Touch, the NPR News App allows you to follow local and national news and listen to your favorite NPR stations wherever you are and whenever you want to.

The App allows users to listen live to public radio stations coast to coast and create a playlist of stories to hear in any order or to save for later. Users can also download stories for offline reading. More.

 

2. Humane Society of the United States :: DownloadApp Name: Humane TVReleased: February 12, 2010 .

Watch captivating video stories produced by HSUS award-winning videographers on their HumaneTV App. Channels include Latest News, Pets, Wildlife, Animal Rescue, Factory Farming, Animal Fighting, Fur-Free, Horses, Protect Seals, Wildlife Abuse, International, Investigations, Press Room.

With built-in sharing functions, a web view for more details on each story, and a simple, no-nonsense interface, HumaneTV offers animal lovers the most useful and informative video experience in the App Store. More.

3. Amnesty International :: DownloadApp Name: AiCandleReleased: March 29, 2010

Across the globe, people like you are appalled by human rights abuses and are standing up for justice and humanity. With AiCandle App supporters can light the iCandle and be a human rights activist by taking part in international campaigns and petitions to ensure that more prisoners of conscience are released, death sentences are commuted, torturers are brought to justice and governments are persuaded to change their laws and practices. More.

4. VolunteerMatch :: DownloadApp Name: VolunteerMatch Released: March 9, 2010

VolunteerMatch is an award-winning service that makes it easy for good people and good causes to connect – and now their iPhone app makes it even easier. Search 60,000 open volunteer opportunities to find the perfect one for you. See what’s closest to where you live, work or go to school. Read reviews from real volunteers and share your activities with your friends and family. VolunteerMatch is where volunteering begins… on the go! More.

5. Black Dog Institute :: DownloadApp Name: Black Dog Pedometer Released: March 17, 2010

The Black Dog Institute Pedometer App allows you to set your distance and time goal and tracks your personal best. A little black dog keeps pace as you work to achieve your goal and barks a motivating message to encourage you along.

The pedometer is also linked to the Black Dog Institute mobile website which provides more information about depression and bipolar disorder and allows for online donations to the Institute. More.

6. Human Rights Campaign :: DownloadApp Name: HRC Buying for Equality Guide Released: Updated February 25, 2010

The Human Rights Campaign’s Buying for Equality App is your guide to brands and products from businesses that support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality — businesses that don’t discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity, that provide benefits for LGBT employees and their families and that respectfully market to and/or recruit employees from the LGBT community. More.

7. Kiva :: DownloadApp Name:KivaAlertsUpdated: May 6, 2009

KivaAlerts is a super quick App that allows you to check the latest loan requests on Kiva.org. Loan requests on Kiva.org get fulfilled very quickly and we update open loan requests every few minutes so that you can find the loans of your interest quickly as they appear. KivaAlerts is a great way for you to grant loans to entrepreneurs of your interest by being on top of new loan requests at all times. More.

8. Surfrider Foundation :: DownloadApp Name: Surfrider Released: January 19, 2010

This application funnels numerous Surfrider Foundation feeds to one place. Access videos, blog updates, twitter posts and more. More.

9. International Committee of the Red Cross :: DownloadApp Name: Red Cross Released: January 30, 2010

Get the latest news about the ICRC’s activities around the world plus a selection of photos, videos and publications on current humanitarian concerns.

International Committee of the Red Cross: an independent, neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of war and armed violence. More.

10. MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger :: DownloadApp Name: MAZON Released: November 16, 2009

Donate, advocate, stay up-to-date, find volunteer opportunities and more with the free MAZON iPhone App.

MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger is a national, nonprofit organization that has been allocating donations from the Jewish community to prevent and alleviate hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds since 1985. More.

I will elaborate at a later date, but briefly three very important best practices that I learned while researching for this blog post: 1) The App Description is important. Make it a good one. 2) Be smart about App Keywords. It’s hard to find “nonprofit” iPhone Apps. 3) Don’t link to your desktop site in an iPhone App – especially the “Donate” page! Finally, if your nonprofit has an iPhone, please list the link below. I will add it to my profile on Appolicious: www.appolicious.com/users/nonprofitorgs
Related Links:
Webinar :: How Nonprofits Can Utilize Group Texting, Mobile Websites and Smartphone Apps
Mobile Technology for Nonprofit Organizations LinkedIn Group
Which is a better investment for your nonprofit – a mobile website or an iPhone App?