I just flew by lovely EcoCommons sim in Second Life (teleport link), the newest in the growing archipelago of nonprofit builds and offices in this virtual world. Developed by TechSoup’s Nonprofit Commons team in partnership with OneWorld.net and OneClimate Island in Second Life, the EcoCommons provides a network for environmentally-focused nonprofits to promote awareness, community-building and environmental education efforts in the virtual world and beyond. Just launched, you can find a pretty treehouse with information about the Sierra Club, another structure devoted to OneWorld.net, and lots of greenery and mountains just waiting for more groups to inhabit (sustainably, of course.)
You can teleport there directly if you would like to have a look. Or head to the weekly nonprofit meetup that occurs the Plush Nonprofit Commons amphitheater every Friday at 8:30am PST. Always the nicest folks there talking about what the latest news and developments for nonprofits using these technologies.
More info about the Nonprofit Commons after the jump…
About the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life
Nonprofit Commons consists of three virtual locations (sims), with a fourth underway. Housing over 70 social benefit organizations, the Nonprofit Commons is managed by a community of volunteers, under the leadership of TechSoup Global: http://www.techsoup.org.
Nonprofit Commons was designed to lower the barriers of access to Second Life, to create a community of practice for nonprofits to explore and learn about the virtual world, and to investigate the many ways in which nonprofits might utilize this unique environment. Through this community, we provide free office space to qualifying groups, meet and network, create a cooperative learning environment and foster outreach, education, fund-raising, all in a virtual space.
Our focus is on providing an accessible entry-point to Second Life and on creating a community of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) for effective collaboration and support. We believe that Second Life is a wonderful place not just to entertain, but also to educate, inspire, and work together to assist our fellow avatars (and the humans behind them). You do not have to be a resident of the Nonprofit Commons to get involved with our community. We welcome all who wish to join us as partners, collaborators or supporters.
Nonprofit Commons1 sim was donated by Anshe Chung Studios and Nonprofit Commons2 sim donated by TakingIT Global. The third Nonprofit Commons location, EcoCommons, was developed in partnership with OneWorld/OneClimate specifically for environmentally-oriented organizations. Our fourth sim will be focused on health-related nonprofits.
Members of Nonprofit Commons meet each Friday at 8:30 PST/SLT at Plush Nonprofit Commons Ampitheater. Visitors are always welcome to join us in making a difference one pixel at a time.
For more information, please email Megan Keane (megan@techsoup.org) or Susan Tenby (susan@techsoup.org) or IM Penguin Kuhn or Glitteractica Cookie in-world.
Visit us online:
Nonprofit Commons Blog:http://www.nonprofitcommons.org and wiki: http://npsl.wikispaces.com
OneWorld/OneClimate.net: http://www.oneclimate.net