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."
4 Tips for Optimizing Your Volunteers' Experience
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.
How To Attract and Retain Monthly Donors
Nonprofits spend countless hours and resources acquiring new donors, only to see many vanish after a single gift. The key to long-term sustainability is monthly donors. They give more over time, provide steady revenue, and form the foundation of a thriving fundraising program. However, attracting these donors and keeping them engaged requires a strategic approach.
4 Event Management Tips for Running a Safe Fundraiser
Nonprofits have long relied on fundraising events as an extra revenue stream for their missions—whether that’s a walk-a-thon, charity gala, golf tournament, auction, or conference with interactive product demos.
3 Auditing Tips to Evaluate Your Nonprofit Website's Impact
Assessing your nonprofit’s digital infrastructure is crucial to driving a high return on investment (ROI) with your online presence. We recommend auditing your nonprofit’s website at least once a quarter to identify opportunities for improvement and areas where you can drive a greater impact for your mission online.
4 Tips to Planning a Successful Capital Campaign
Capital campaigns empower nonprofits to significantly increase their capacity, whether that means building a new facility to serve more beneficiaries or setting up an endowment fund to secure the long-term stability of the organization.
3 Ways to Protect Your Organization, Donors, and Constituents from Cybercrime
More than ever, it's important that nonprofits get serious about protecting their organizations from cybercrime. Talk to your board and leadership today about any of these three ways you can shore up your cybersecurity measures.
3 Actional Tips for Data-Driven Recruitment for New Nonprofits
Picture this: You’re the leader of a new nonprofit and are in charge of building the organization from the ground up. Items on your immediate to-do list might be spreading awareness of your mission, acquiring donors and volunteers, and applying for grants to cover initial overhead costs.
Exempt or Non-exempt? That is the Question!
A Compliance Notice from the 501 Commons Human Resources Program
How to Recognize Donors in Your Text-to-Give Campaigns
Fundraising is key to furthering your nonprofit’s mission and amplifying your impact. Since the communication channels you use greatly affect the way donors engage with your organization, it’s essential to focus on the channels they use frequently—such as text messaging.
Emotional Intelligence and Nonprofit Marketing: An FAQ Guide
All nonprofit marketers tackle this question daily. Marketing campaigns can vary greatly between nonprofits based on their specific donor base, but the common thread tying them all together? Bridging the emotional gap between your audience and your mission, which requires deep emotional intelligence (EQ).