Summer is an exciting time of year for outdoor activities, family vacations, and backyard BBQs. There are also plenty of opportunities for fundraising, but many nonprofits still struggle with engagement during summer months. You can use the slower summer months to focus on activities you aren’t able to prioritize when your team is swamped with donor […]
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The Nonprofit Summer Reading List
The weather is warm, summer camps are in full swing, BBQs are a weekly occurrence, and as the sixth month of the year wraps up, some organizations are already gearing up for end-of-the-year asks and setting up holiday campaign fundraising goals. While it might seem a little early to start thinking about 2020 to some […]
4 Social Media Features to Add to Your Organization’s Routine
Social media has come a long way in an unbelievably short amount of time, partly because our favorite apps are constantly experimenting with new features that keep us on our toes. Staying up to date on all these new social media features can be overwhelming. Let’s go through some of the basics so you can make […]
How and When to Let a Volunteer Go
Chances are, as a nonprofit manager, firing volunteers ranks very low on your list of job duties. However, as with any relationship, sometimes you have no choice but to cut ties. Letting a volunteer go is uncomfortable, difficult and downright awkward, but hopefully we can alleviate some of that weirdness with these tips. Preventative measures […]
5 Tech-Savvy Fundraising Strategies for Your Next Event
One of the most tried and true fundraising strategies for most nonprofits is events. But are you getting the most out of your events? After all, the people who attend are your most important supporters. These people give you their time – something they’ll never get back. So how do you get more people excited […]
The 5 ½ Principles of Effective Donor Surveys
Do you know why your donors give? Is there consensus within your organization about the reasons they dip into their pockets to fund your mission? Or are there simply “best guesses” floating around that may or may not accurately answer that question? Unless you ask your donors directly, your gut instincts are merely opinions. And research kills opinions. […]
7 Articles to Improve Your Workplace Culture
A reading list to help your organization look inward and examine how to better foster a culture where employees are empowered to thrive, collaborate, and innovate for maximum social impact. The internal operations of social sector organizations can make or break their impact. “Toxic” workplace cultures make headlines for failing to support employees’ personal and […]
The 7 Deadly Sins of Asking for Donations
Even after loads of practice, asking for donations can make our palms sweat and our hair stand up. It’s not easy, and it shouldn’t be—after all, you’re asking people to part with their hard-earned money. But don’t worry: as long as you avoid these common mistakes, your fundraising efforts will be just fine—even if your palms are still […]
25 Creative Summer Fundraising Ideas
We’re not sure about you, but we’ve got the summer itch. When it comes to your nonprofit organization, summer fun and fundraising go hand in hand. It’s time to leverage the fact that school’s out and everyone’s looking for something exciting to do with their free time. With your help, favorite summer activities become opportunities […]
Three Roles of the Nonprofit CFO that Lead to Mission Success
Over the years, my experience in a variety of financial leadership roles has led me to the following hypothesis: nonprofit finance is critical to mission success. Whether determining how financial resources are spent or raised, clarifying organizational priorities, or building leadership—in many ways, finance determines mission success and impact. Completing the Circle With mission success […]
Nonprofit Spring Cleaning: Getting Rid of Unwanted Clutter
Ah, Spring. Finally, the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, our allergies are resurging. And, if you’re like me, your office has become something of a warzone: papers, notes, books and old coffee cups crowding your desk, allowing just enough room to rest your arms. Even if your desk isn’t as disastrous as mine, […]
12 Donation Appeal Ideas for Each Month of the Year
One thing I hear often from the nonprofits I work with is that they only ask for money a few times a year. “We have a spring Gala, summer Golf tournament, and end of year appeal. We have ten major donors that we talk to and a handful of grants.” “We have two appeals (spring/fall). We […]