Twitter, Facebook, and other online social networking tools can help nonprofits in various ways, including helping groups reach new audiences to ultimately increase supporters and donors. Twitter is a free online service where users can send real time updates on what they are doing to those who want to receive them. Updates are displayed on the user's profile page. Many nonprofits are using twitter, for example visit Public Citizen's Twitter page and the National Wildlife Federation's page.

The Washington Post reports that a group of philanthropists and entrepreneurs are working to develop a rating system to evaluate how nonprofits spend their money and whether their work is making a difference. The Working Group on Effective Social Investing is working to create the Social Investing Rating Tool, "to encourage donors to think more like investors -- to consider their charitable donations social investments, complete with risks and responsibilities." On the Working Group's website, four objectives are listed:

A month ago the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) failed to pass either draft advisory opinions regarding two proposed radio ads sponsored by the National Right to Life Committee Inc. (NRLC) considering whether or not they contained "express advocacy." Yesterday (Nov. 24) the FEC issued an advisory opinion stating; "The Commission concludes that the NRLC may use its general treasury funds to finance the broadcast of the first advertisement. The Commission could not approve a response by the required four affirmative votes regarding the NRLC's second advertisement."

Washington State Regulators are contemplating whether online political activism constitutes lobbying. Unlike journalists, lobbyists are legally required to register with the state, and submit detailed financial reports and the particular issues they are involved with. According to the Associated Press, the state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) "was asked by some lobbyists whether calls to action made over the Internet fell under any lobbying regulations, and the agency began probing the topic." Eventually the topic shifted to blogging.