Community Platforms & Technology
Find the right tools and technology to build your nonprofit's vertical social network.
Understanding SDKs & APIs
The building blocks for custom community platforms.
What is an SDK?
An SDK (Software Development Kit) is a set of tools, libraries, documentation, and code samples provided to developers to help them build applications for a specific platform, operating system, or service.
Think of it as a toolbox that contains everything a developer needs to create software efficiently. SDKs often include:
- APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)
- Libraries (pre-written code for common tasks)
- Debuggers and compilers (to test and build your code)
- Documentation and tutorials
- Sample code and guides
SDKs make it easier and faster to develop new features or integrate with other services, saving developers from having to build everything from scratch.
What is an API?
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate and interact with each other. APIs define how requests and responses should be structured, enabling one program (the client) to access features or data from another (the server).
Example: A weather app on your phone uses an API to request weather data from a remote server, which then sends back the information the app displays.
APIs can be used for:
- Web services (REST, SOAP)
- Operating systems
- Databases
- Hardware devices
SDK vs. API: The Difference
SDK
- A toolkit for building software/apps
- Includes APIs, libraries, docs, tools
- Used to create and integrate features
- More comprehensive than an API alone
- Specific to a platform or service
API
- A set of rules for software to communicate
- Defines how apps/services exchange information
- Focused on data and functionality access
- Can be used across multiple platforms
- Often included within an SDK
Social+ SDK Features
A comprehensive suite of tools to build social experiences in your app or website.
Social
Integrate social feeds, groups, forums, stories, and profiles in your app.
- User profiles and connections
- Activity feeds and timelines
- Group discussions and forums
- Content sharing and reactions
- Commenting and threading
Chat
Pre-built in-app messaging: 1-on-1, group chat, and live chat.
- Private messaging
- Group conversations
- Media sharing
- Read receipts and typing indicators
- Push notifications
Video
Add in-app live streaming, and live commerce to your app.
- Live video broadcasts
- Interactive streaming
- Video chat and conferencing
- Screen sharing
- Recording and playback
Analytics & Insights
Power app growth with live analytics and AI insights.
- User engagement metrics
- Content performance analysis
- Community health monitoring
- Trend identification
- Custom reporting
Monetization
Transform user engagement into monetization opportunities.
- In-app purchases
- Subscription management
- Virtual goods and currencies
- Donation processing
- Sponsored content
Moderation
Moderate massive amounts of content quickly and efficiently.
- Content filtering and approval
- User reporting systems
- Automated moderation tools
- Community guidelines enforcement
- User management and permissions
Platform Comparison
Find the right community platform for your nonprofit's needs.
| Platform | Best For | Pricing | Key Features | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook Groups | Nonprofits with limited budgets and an existing Facebook audience | Free |
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| NING | Organizations wanting a branded community with social features | $25-$99/month |
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| Discord | Communities focused on real-time interaction and younger audiences | Free (Premium $9.99/month) |
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| Mighty Networks | Organizations combining community, courses, and content | $33-$99/month |
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| Custom with Social+ | Large nonprofits needing complete control and integration | Custom pricing |
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How to Choose the Right Platform
Consider These Factors:
- Your audience: Where are they already active? What platforms are they comfortable using?
- Your goals: What type of community are you building? What activities will take place?
- Your resources: What is your budget? Do you have technical staff?
- Growth plans: How will your community evolve over time? Will you need to scale?
- Integration needs: Does the platform need to connect with your existing systems?
Platform Selection Process:
- Define your community requirements and goals
- Identify your must-have features and nice-to-have features
- Set a realistic budget for platform costs
- Research platforms that meet your criteria
- Test platforms with a small group of users if possible
- Evaluate ease of use, features, and support
- Make your selection and create an implementation plan