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."
Springboard Emboldens Arts and Cultural Nonprofits to Flourish
La Sala was founded by a small team of dedicated people whose passion brought the mission to life. After completing the Springboard cohort program earlier this year, the organization - whose mission is to empower the local Latino/Latina arts community - now has both the internal structures in place to succeed and an exciting new funding opportunity.
Helpful Resources: Fundraising Event Planning
Producing a major fundraising event can be a costly and time-consuming endeavor. To ensure success, remember to think of events as the culmination of building relationships with donors instead of just being a place where you solicit gifts. We've compiled a list of helpful resources to help guide you through the process of planning the best fundraising events.
RFPs: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
RFPs are a common method for nonprofits to gather bidders for an important project. However, in our experience, we believe RFPs are not always the best way to select that crucial vendor your organization needs. We recommend nonprofits instead hire a consultant based on an in-depth discussion rather than dryly reviewing a document.
Inland Northwest Conference for the Greater Good: Uniting Eastern Washington Nonprofits
The Inland Northwest Conference for the Greater Good, on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Spokane Convention Center, is a fantastic opportunity for Eastern Washington nonprofits to grow stronger together. Hosted by Washington Nonprofits, the conference promises to be a space where nonprofit leaders, staff, and volunteers can come together to inspire and be inspired. Hope to see you there!
Need an Event Space? Look No Further than Our Venues Map
Nonprofits that are searching for a space for their next fundraising event, program function, meeting or board retreat should check out the Northwest Nonprofit Venues Map, which lists more than 300 venues in WA State and beyond. Many of these venues are free or offer a nonprofit discount and include amenities such as A/V equipment, kitchen space, parking options, and more.
Kick Off Fall with the Sept. 11 King County Executive Director Forum
The Executive Director Forum on Sept. 11 at Pacific Tower is a unique opportunity for nonprofit EDs/CEOs to connect with their peers, share ideas, and learn from each other in a supportive environment. Each session offers three discussion groups facilitated by three outstanding leaders.
Honoring Donnie Chin and His Nonprofit Colleagues
The Washington nonprofit sector recently lost Donnie Chin, founder of the International District Emergency Center, who was murdered on the streets of the community he loved and served for 45 years. His life was a testament to the spirit of goodness that is crucial to the work of the philanthropic sector.
Make Room in Your Budget for 501 Commons!
We may be only half way done with 2015, but many nonprofits are now starting to figure out their budgets for 2016. We ask that you consider making room in your budgets for staff and leadership development and organizational improvement, as 501 Commons offers trainings, events, and direct services in these areas.
Policy Governance: Strengthening Your Partnership with Your Board
"Policy Governance" is a tool that ensures a nonprofit's board, executive director, and staff understand their roles in advancing the organization's mission within a clearly articulated framework. As 501 Commons and leaders from Page Ahead Children's Literacy Program and ArtsWest can attest, adopting PG's principles can be crucial to a nonprofit's success.
10 Benefits of Policy Governance®
501 Commons has used the Policy Governance approach to our board for a decade. We believe this approach is well-designed, holistic, and logically approaches how a board should relate to a nonprofit's executive director and staff. We're sharing with you 10 benefits your organization could experience using Policy Governance.