Most of you have probably implemented the overtime and minimum wage changes that went into effect on January 1, but we want to ensure that organizations are aware of all the provisions of these regulations and are not leaving themselves open to fines, back wages, or court cases by being out of compliance.

Capital campaigns are big undertakings that have high stakes and potentially transformational benefits for your nonprofit and constituents. But while there are plenty of best practices to follow that will maximize your chances of success, there’s no one way to run a capital campaign.

Starting a new job triggers feelings of excitement but also some level of anxiety. Haphazard or nonexistent onboarding can be detrimental. It may portray the organization negatively (as not caring about its employees) or just being lackadaisical in all its operations. However, an official onboarding plan can alleviate feelings of discomfort and point new employees in the right direction as they begin their association with you.

Most leaders will agree that the engines moving them forward are their people. So, making smart hiring decisions is critical. Although all businesses have recruitment challenges (especially in the current turnover environment), nonprofits often have unique staffing issues that make it more difficult for them to find and retain exceptional talent.

A lasting legacy of the pandemic has been the rise of virtual galas and other types of online fundraisers as a viable way to raise dollars. As one of the newer opportunities in the nonprofit world, online events generally have the most potential for improvement.

The move to virtual hearings and meetings with legislators in most states has allowed many more nonprofits to be actively engaging in proposing changes to the law and funding to benefit the community.

Major gift officers (MGOs) are nonprofit staff members whose sole job is to secure major gifts for your organization. Depending on the size of your nonprofit, you may rely on one MGO or a team of officers who work in tandem.

For WA-based organizations, be sure that you stay legally compliant and implement the new minimum wage on January 1. You also need to check to see if you have exempt staff that qualify for overtime because their pay is below the new threshold.

As you prepare for another year of pursuing your mission, now is the time to assess whether your board is equipped to welcome new members — whether foreseen or not. Without succession plans in place, the transition to a new team can be chaotic even under normal circumstances.

Get a jump start on your 2022 fundraising by checking out these upcoming grant opportunities. Not all of them might be relevant to your organization, but please forward these grants to those in your professional network who might be eligible to apply.

Boards serve the vital role of guiding your organization’s mission, direction, and path to success. What can help the board do that work efficiently and effectively is if they have clearly defined roles and duties and have a very functional relationship with the executive.

Learn how your organization could benefit from using the 501 Commons organizational assessment.

Nearly 1/3 of annual giving is donated during December. In 2020, 34.8 million people participated in GivingTuesday and donated $2.47 billion in just 24 hours. How can you capitalize on this wave of awareness and generosity?

Now that we’re over a year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the crisis on nonprofit operations is becoming more clearly defined and backed by data.

The federal minimum wage was implemented under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938. The initial purpose of a federal minimum wage was to stabilize America’s post-Depression economy and protect workers in the labor force. In order to protect desperate workers from being exploited, the minimum wage was established to ensure an equal living wage – a fair amount that could provide enough food, clothing, and shelter for a worker and their family.