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."
The 2021 King County Nonprofit Employee Engagement Report
Most nonprofit jobs require knowledge of the sector and professional expertise. This is reflected in the high education levels in the nonprofit workforce. However, community-based nonprofits tend to have lower pay levels compared to the government, philanthropy, education, and health care sectors. This makes it challenging to attract and retain well-qualified employees.
Lift Up the Voices of Nonprofits
There’s no better time to lift up the voices of the nonprofit sector than now, especially with the various challenges our communities are facing.
A Crash Course in Solicitation Registration for Nonprofits
Like all organizations, nonprofits are subject to a range of regulations that dictate how they can and cannot operate in particular jurisdictions. As a nonprofit professional, one of the most important and prominent regulations you’ve likely encountered is charitable solicitation registration.
Beyond Birthday Fundraisers: Ways to Use Social Fundraising
If you search on Google for the term "Facebook fundraising" in 2022, you might still see developments from 2017 (such as Facebook (Meta) releasing “birthday fundraisers”) as some of the top trending topics.
Access Free Volunteer Management Consulting Today!
Thanks to our partnership with Serve Washington, you can access high-quality volunteer management consulting services for free to help you enhance and sustain the ways you engage volunteers.
Learning Connections: Your Destination for Professional and Leadership Development
Is “affordable professional development” on your 2022 to-do list?
Legislative Sessions Are in Full Swing. Is Your Lobbying Legal?
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.
4 Tips for Successfully Hiring a Major Gifts Officer
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.
January 1, 2022: Minimum Wage & Overtime Exemption Thresholds are Rising
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.
Board Succession: How to Seamlessly Transition to a New Team
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.