Our Blog of News, Tips & Insights
Welcome to The Commons, 501 Commons' blog, where we share:
- How-to's, tips, and tricks from nonprofit tech, finance, HR, and other areas
- News and updates about upcoming events, programs, and services
- Thought-provoking pieces around topics, such as skills-based volunteerism, nonprofit management, and more
- Stories from clients about the impact of 501 Commons' programs and services
Plus, we invite your comments! Add your thoughts to these posts, so our blog truly becomes "The Commons."
3 Creative Nonprofit Revenue Streams to Diversify Funding
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!
4 Ways HR Can Support Your Nonprofit's Fundraising
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!
5 Simple Ways to Boost Nonprofit Staff Efficiency
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?
3 Ways to Integrate AI Into Your Fundraising
As AI is increasingly becoming indispensable across several industries, it’s also transforming nonprofit fundraising.
Nonprofit Budgets: The Basics of What You Need to Know
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.
5 Steps for Tracking and Managing Grant Spending to Stay Compliant
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.
Nonprofit Event Management: Team Training Must-Haves
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.
Leadership Transition at 501 Commons
We'd like to share with you this important announcement regarding a leadership transition at 501 Commons.
Sustainability: The Hallmark of a Successful Grants Program
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?
5 Tips to Maximizing Job Candidate Engagement
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.