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."
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.
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.
Grant Opportunities – December 2021
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.
Policy Governance: Re-energize Your Board
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.
Have You Had Your Checkup?
Learn how your organization could benefit from using the 501 Commons organizational assessment.
Ride the Fundraising Tide on GivingTuesday
Nearly 1/3 of annual giving is donated during December. In 2020, 34.8 million people participated in GivingTuesday and donated $2.47 billion in just 24 hours. How can you capitalize on this wave of awareness and generosity?
3 New P2P Fundraising Strategies to Elevate Your Efforts
Now that we’re over a year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the crisis on nonprofit operations is becoming more clearly defined and backed by data.
How Will Federal Minimum Wage Laws Impact Employers?
The federal minimum wage was implemented under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938. The initial purpose of a federal minimum wage was to stabilize America’s post-Depression economy and protect workers in the labor force. In order to protect desperate workers from being exploited, the minimum wage was established to ensure an equal living wage – a fair amount that could provide enough food, clothing, and shelter for a worker and their family.