A new online service makes it easier to donate to Cook County nonprofit organizations. GiveMN.org lists 36,000 Minnesota nonprofits and offers access to a service called GuideStar that provides financial information for some organizations.

“Minnesota has a legacy of philanthropy,” says executive director Dana Nelson. “Through promotions, we hope to drive donors to this site.”

Nelson says a segment of younger donors does most of their giving online. For all donors, GiveMN offers the opportunity to “shop” for organizations that suit their values and interests. Donors can set up an account on the site, which allows them to keep track of donations within a given year for tax purposes and to make periodic automatic donations to their favorite organizations.

For nonprofits, the site provides a platform to “tell their story,” says Nelson. They can show pictures, describe services and highlight specific projects. One local project, Empty Bowls by the Grand Marais Art Colony was featured on the site and successfully raised money there. An organization can also have “followers” similar to the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.

Donations can be made anonymously or you can share your email address with the organization. This allows the organization to have further contact with donors while avoiding the expense of direct mail. Nelson says fundraising via direct mail costs $1.25 for every dollar raised, while electronic campaigns cost an average of seven cents per donor.

GiveMN is underwritten by several philanthropic foundations. At present, transaction fees are covered by the sponsoring foundations and 100 percent of a donation goes to the organization.

“We hope to find ways to keep covering those costs,” Nelson says.

Presently, over 50 Cook County nonprofits are listed on the site. Only a few, such as the Art Colony and Health Care foundation, have claimed their listing by posting photos and other information. Nelson believes GiveMN will play an important role in philanthropic donations.

“We are using technology to make donating engaging, realistic and fun,” she says.

For more information or to make donations, go to www.givemn.org.