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 Smart Automations to Fight Fundraiser Burnout
If your nonprofit is feeling burned out, you’re not alone. In fact, the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s 2024 report revealed that 95% of nonprofit leaders expressed concern about staff burnout, and nearly 50% struggled to fill staff vacancies.
AI & LLMs: What Nonprofits Need to Know
There's a lot of talk about Artificial Intelligence (AI), especially revolving around helping staff teams with limited resources accomplish more. This article is written by Jordan Dwight, founder of J. Dwight Labs, which helps nonprofits leverage software to achieve their goals and further their missions. Jordan has worked in tech for 10+ years at Amazon and startups.
How to Manage Nonprofit Teams With Limited Resources
Nonprofit leaders often face the challenge of balancing ambitious missions with limited staffing and financial resources. Many organizations operate with small teams while responding to increasing community needs, expanding programs, and ongoing operational demands.
Annual IRS Filing: The Basics of What You Need to Know
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.”
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.