# Kwiditi offers new online information resource for the voluntary sector

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2003/01/10/kwiditi-offers-new-online-information-resource-voluntary-sector/
- Published: 2003-01-10T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Kwiditi says that it monitors 100 Web sites relevant to the voluntary sector and
presents the key developments in digest form via the Web and e-mail to paying customers.

Kwiditi, the phonetic spelling of “Quiddity” meaning the essence of a thing, presents
information in seven categories, such as new funding information, trustee and governance
matters, and social inclusion. It also offers information relevant to specific regions
of England. The Liverpool based operation aims to help “to make information manageable”
for voluntary sector decision makers.

Information is presented in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, rather than simple Web pages.
The source of each news item is credited with a Web link, and Kwiditi staff add 
their own short briefing note. New information is e-mailed to paying subscribers
once a week: each message is concise listing a series of links to the relevant new
items on the Web site.

The site is run by a group of researchers and analysts who have voluntary sector
experience in England.

## Advertisement

Access to the site costs £25 per month for registered charities and £46 per month
for consultants and local authorities. Kwiditi is offering a free four week trial
period without obligation.

The site is very new so it is difficult to assess its value. The extensive use of
PDF felt odd, although it could be explained by the company’s attempts to ensure
its information was not misused or distributed without its permission. Some of the
navigation was difficult, such as moving from a document or summary of search results
back to the original menu of categories. Several categories still had no items in
them when we visited, but this is not surprising given that the site has only just
launched.

Such current awareness services can certainly be valuable, but as more appear it
is worth questioning how many are needed by the voluntary sector. UK Fundraising
notes how few voluntary sector news Web sites collaborate.

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