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The Commons

Our Blog of News, Tips, & Insights

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."

Beyond Birthday Fundraisers: Ways to Use Social Fundraising

Beyond Birthday Fundraisers: Ways to Use Social Fundraising

Published Mar 28, 2022 05:34 PM

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.

Beyond Birthday Fundraisers: Ways to Use Social Fundraising - Read More…

Access Free Volunteer Management Consulting Today!

Access Free Volunteer Management Consulting Today!

Published Mar 21, 2022 11:17 AM

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.

Access Free Volunteer Management Consulting Today! - Read More…

Legislative Sessions Are in Full Swing. Is Your Lobbying Legal?

Legislative Sessions Are in Full Swing. Is Your Lobbying Legal?

Published Jan 25, 2022 12:55 PM

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.

Legislative Sessions Are in Full Swing. Is Your Lobbying Legal? - Read More…

4 Tips for Successfully Hiring a Major Gifts Officer

4 Tips for Successfully Hiring a Major Gifts Officer

Published Jan 20, 2022 10:43 AM

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.

4 Tips for Successfully Hiring a Major Gifts Officer - Read More…

January 1, 2022: Minimum Wage & Overtime Exemption Thresholds are Rising

January 1, 2022: Minimum Wage & Overtime Exemption Thresholds are Rising

Published Dec 20, 2021 12:36 PM

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.

January 1, 2022: Minimum Wage & Overtime Exemption Thresholds are Rising - Read More…

Board Succession: How to Seamlessly Transition to a New Team

Board Succession: How to Seamlessly Transition to a New Team

Published Dec 16, 2021 04:50 PM

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.

Board Succession: How to Seamlessly Transition to a New Team - Read More…

Grant Opportunities – December 2021

Grant Opportunities – December 2021

Published Dec 06, 2021 04:50 PM

Get a jump start on your 2022 fundraising by checking out these upcoming grant opportunities. Not all of them might be relevant to your organization, but please forward these grants to those in your professional network who might be eligible to apply.

Grant Opportunities – December 2021 - Read More…

Policy Governance: Re-energize Your Board

Policy Governance: Re-energize Your Board

Published Nov 26, 2021 03:04 PM

Boards serve the vital role of guiding your organization’s mission, direction, and path to success. What can help the board do that work efficiently and effectively is if they have clearly defined roles and duties and have a very functional relationship with the executive.

Policy Governance: Re-energize Your Board - Read More…

Have You Had Your Checkup?

Have You Had Your Checkup?

Published Nov 01, 2021 12:19 PM

Learn how your organization could benefit from using the 501 Commons organizational assessment.

Have You Had Your Checkup? - Read More…