Most nonprofit organizations, with a few exceptions, are required to file an annual form with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The form is officially named “Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax.”

Relying on the same cycle of grants and annual campaigns can leave your organization vulnerable to donor fatigue and shifting economic tides. Tackle financial uncertainty head-on by diversifying your revenue streams and making it fun for your donors to give!

When you consider your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts, you probably think of your development team as being in charge (and most of the time, that’s true). But other departments and roles can play a key part in supporting successful fundraising, such as your organization’s board of directors, the executive director, volunteers, marketing staff, IT department, and nearly anyone else who works on your mission!

Nonprofit staff often wear too many hats or have a seemingly endless list of tasks to tend to each day. And yet, 85% of nonprofits predicted an increase in demand for their services in 2026. How can organizations meet this rising demand while protecting staff from burnout?

As AI is increasingly becoming indispensable across several industries, it’s also transforming nonprofit fundraising.

If your organization has a “calendar year” fiscal year, the falling leaves of autumn will most likely bring budgeting for the coming year to mind.

Securing grants is only half the battle; managing them effectively is where many nonprofits struggle. And there’s a lot on the line—grant compliance issues can jeopardize funding, damage funder relationships, and lead to stressful audits.

Running a successful nonprofit event hinges on having a well-prepared team. From managing check-ins to handling last-minute changes, your staff and volunteers need to know what to do, when to do it, and how to stay flexible under pressure.

We'd like to share with you this important announcement regarding a leadership transition at 501 Commons.

What makes a grant program truly successful? Is it just about the nonprofit spending the funds and launching initiatives, or does real success mean continuing to make an impact long after the grant has ended?

Due to a combination of factors, including salary competition and burnout, nonprofits are facing workforce shortages that make strategic hiring more important than ever. In fact, in a recent survey by the National Council of Nonprofits, nearly three out of four (74.6%) nonprofits reported job vacancies within their organizations.

Every nonprofit shares an overarching goal: To create a positive, lasting impact for the betterment of its community or area. However, as the needs of its beneficiaries evolve, nonprofit professionals must work to improve their programs accordingly.

Securing donors’ long-term support is critical for your nonprofit to continually fund its mission-driven initiatives. However, in recent years, the average donor retention rate across the nonprofit sector has hovered just under 35%.

Your board is the foundation governing body of your organization. 501 Commons offers a variety of learning sessions that can be customized specifically for your board and delivered online.

Volunteers are a core part of your nonprofit’s team, running your fundraisers, lending a hand to your programs, and ensuring everyday administrative tasks are completed.