When you're working in a nonprofit, make no mistake: You're working with a lot of people all the time. Even if your cause isn't directly affecting somebody, you're dealing with many individuals and groups who have a stake in what you do or your intended mission. You're building connections with people every day. The question is: Is your entire organization capable of making those same bonds and building on them?

What relationships do you have with the people who support you?

We're proud to feature this guest blog post by Laura Shapiro, an absolute nonprofit technology rockstar who uses Soapbox Engage to work online wonders at Global Fund for Women. Those wonders include powering the IGNITE: Women Fueling Science and Technology campaign's online fundraising and advocacy efforts with Soapbox Engage.

By Laura Shapiro, Director of Online Communications, Global Fund for Women

As Director of Online Communications for Global Fund for Women, I work at the intersection of social justice and technology. It’s impossible for me to be active in the online space without noticing the limitations and even the dangers burdening women in tech – socially, economically, and creatively.

That’s why I’m happy to be part of our new IGNITE campaign. IGNITE: Women Fueling Science and Technology, is a global campaign and media project that explores the roles of science and technology in advancing gender equality. We’re looking at the great work that’s being done by women in the STEM fields now, and envisioning a more just, more creative, more innovative future.

We're excited to announce that the Soapbox Engage Petitions app is the first advocacy service ready for the newly announced NGO Connect platform from the Salesforce Foundation.  With the Soapbox Engage Petitions app, organizations like the Global Fund for Women have created engaging and compelling online advocacy actions, growing their supporter and donor base without needing to invest in more IT.

Now with the NGO Connect platform, organizations can use enterprise-grade CRM services in conjunction with Soapbox Engage Petitions app to jumpstart their online advocacy campaigns and save time and money.

"We're extremely excited to bring the next generation of online advocacy to enterprise organizations using NGO Connect," said Ryan Ozimek, CEO of PICnet.  "For too long, large organizations needed to use outdated advocacy tools that created data silos.  Today, with the Soapbox Engage Petitions app and NGO Connect, organizations will no longer have to make a decision between best of breed advocacy tools or best of breed CRM services.  They can have both at the same time!”

Two weeks ago, we highlighted Global Fund for Women, a leader in advancing the rights of women and girls worldwide, and its efforts to mobilize supporters around the globe with Soapbox Petitions and Salesforce.

This campaign on behalf of survivors of rape in conflict areas such as eastern Congo and Syria garnered thousands of signatures in just days. As of this afternoon, more than 9,100 supporters have signed their petition.

What's more, the overwhelming percentage of these supporters are new to Global Fund for Women: