Advertising, it would seem, would be a natural and profitable extension of the site.

However, it has been the policy of Kidology Inc. since its beginning in 1994 NOT to accept paid advertising dollars for promoting products and resources on the site. There are several reasons for this.

• We are a nonprofit organization under IRS 501(c)3.
• Our funding philosophy is that we will be funded by members and voluntary contributions to the site.
• Not accepting paid ads increases the credibility of the endorsements we do place on the site.
• We want to be motivated by quality and excellence, not by advertising dollars.
• We have chosen to be a content driven site rather than advertising driven.

HOWEVER, that does NOT mean that we do not advertise. We, in fact, DO provide highly effective advertising on our site. The difference is, we determine who we will advertise based on what ministry resources we find most outstanding in the market. We occasionally will invite a resource provider to be a sponsor of an event or ask permission to feature them on the site. We have accepted donations from those we have helped, but we have controlled the content of the promotions we do. Our endorsements are not for sale. We limit our online marketing to products and services that Kidology has investigated and can wholeheartedly recommend to it's members and visitors.

This means that advertisements on Kidology carry more weight and are more powerful and effective because our members and visitors know that if it is on this site - it is because we believe it is great, not because someone paid us to recommend it.

This policy in no way is intended as a criticism of sites that do advertise, as we ourselves purchase advertising. It is merely a decision we have made as a nonprofit organization that we will be funded not by advertising, but by the small membership fee paid by those who join and the generous donations by those who use and believe in our mission to Equip and Encourage Those Who Minister to Children.

SO HOW CAN YOU ADVERTISE ON THE KIDOLOGY.ORG?

1. Resource Directory

If you would like a link in our Resource Directory, simply read the requirments and submit your resource of approval. We only add what we consider the BEST and what time allows. If a resource is NOT added, a negative review should not be inferred, rather it may simply mean that the item in question did not meet our standards for this section of Kidology.

2. Banner

We do not accept paid banners. However, you will see banner ads in the right column either for products we sell in our store or other ministries we have decided to help promote - not because they pay us, but because we think our members should know about them. You are welcome to send a banner for us to consider, but it is rare that we place banners on the site.

3. Vendors

THE BEST EXPOSURE: Ministries and companies who make their products available in our online store receive free advertising and marketing as it is in our interest as well to help get the word out about the products that we sell in our store. The same standard applies to store products. We only sell items that we can reviewed and approve of. Most are items that the Karl Bastian, the Kidologist uses or has used in his own ministry. If you have a children's ministry resource to sell, visit our store for information on becoming a vendor. We handle credit card processing and send paid orders directly to you to fulfill. We make it easy! Vendors are auto-matically paid at the end of each month for the items sold in our store. This is a great deal for small ministries, as we are paying all the on-line selling expenses for you. Our products receive high exposure since Kidology is one of the highest trafficked children's ministry sites and advertises nationally in magazines and other venues.

4. Content Providers

Do you have a book, newsletter, or site that you would like visitors to Kidology to discover? Then help add content to the site, while at the same time advertising your book, publication, or web site.

Simply send the full article, book chapter, etc. and complete source information with a statement of permission to reprint on the Kidology, and if approved, we will post it with a link to your site. Consider also becoming an Vendor so we can sell your book or publication on the site as well.

We at Kidology are delighted that the Lord has blessed this ministry to the point that, not only are we able to pursue our mission of equipping and encouraging those in chilren's ministry, but we are able to help others who do the same. If you've got a great resource for children's workers, we want to know about it!