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."
Cybersecurity Essentials for Nonprofits: Identity and Access Management
Written by Vonnita Jones & Kai Dailey
Plan IT: Make Technology Your Ally
Technology is foundational to helping nonprofits raise money, improve their productivity, measure program effectiveness, and communicate. Our newly revamped Plan IT program can empower you to make technology a more reliable partner in achieving your mission.
10 Do's and Don'ts of HR Assessments for Nonprofits
A human resource (HR) assessment is a tool used to analyze and identify critical areas in HR for improvement. It ensures that the delivery of HR services is aligned with the organization’s mission and values. An HR assessment is conducted by reviewing written policies, interviewing stakeholders, and observing behavior to analyze how HR is functioning throughout the organization.
A Guide to Nurturing Member Relationships
A successful nonprofit membership program depends upon one thing: its members! As the lifeblood of your membership program, it’s vital to keep members satisfied, engaged, and invested. Ultimately, the most important metric when determining a membership program’s success is your relationships with your members.
Personalizing at Scale: AI for Tailored Donor Communications
There’s a lot of buzz about artificial intelligence in the nonprofit space, and for good reason. This technology has diverse on-the-ground use cases that can improve nonprofits’ workflows and reduce menial tasks.
4 Tips to Train Your Volunteers for Your Upcoming Gala
Running a fundraising gala is no easy task. Between marketing your event, getting your technology in place, and setting up your event space, you’ve got your plate full. Luckily, you don’t have to plan and lead your gala alone!
Starting January 1, 2024, WA is Raising the Minimum Wage and Overtime Salary Threshold
Starting January 1, WA’s minimum wage will increase to $16.28 per hour for employees ages 16+. This represents a 3.4% increase from this year. This new rate applies to nonprofit employers of all kinds.
Reporting Requirements for Washington State's Paid Family Leave and WA Cares Fund
Every quarter, all WA-based employers – including nonprofits! – must complete and file a Paid Family and Medical Leave report and pay premiums. With the launch of WA Cares Fund on July 1, this means additional reporting is required.
Best Practices for Nonprofit Project Management
Nonprofits need to run like clockwork to effectively cover their many projects, internal processes, and stakeholder management. Given this, they often have to anchor on project management to keep their wheels turning.
8 Tips for Managing Your Nonprofit's Database Effectively
Whether your nonprofit is working to launch a fundraising campaign, adjust its marketing strategies, or recruit volunteers, having access to organized supporter data is essential to making informed and effective decisions.