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.
Nonprofit Event Management: Team Training Must-Haves
Running a successful nonprofit event hinges on having a well-prepared team. From managing check-ins to handling last-minute changes, your staff and volunteers need to know what to do, when to do it, and how to stay flexible under pressure.
Leadership Transition at 501 Commons
We'd like to share with you this important announcement regarding a leadership transition at 501 Commons.
Sustainability: The Hallmark of a Successful Grants Program
What makes a grant program truly successful? Is it just about the nonprofit spending the funds and launching initiatives, or does real success mean continuing to make an impact long after the grant has ended?
5 Tips to Maximizing Job Candidate Engagement
Due to a combination of factors, including salary competition and burnout, nonprofits are facing workforce shortages that make strategic hiring more important than ever. In fact, in a recent survey by the National Council of Nonprofits, nearly three out of four (74.6%) nonprofits reported job vacancies within their organizations.
3 Ways to Improve Your Nonprofit's Programs
Every nonprofit shares an overarching goal: To create a positive, lasting impact for the betterment of its community or area. However, as the needs of its beneficiaries evolve, nonprofit professionals must work to improve their programs accordingly.
The Art of Donor Stewardship: How to Recognize Supporters
Securing donors’ long-term support is critical for your nonprofit to continually fund its mission-driven initiatives. However, in recent years, the average donor retention rate across the nonprofit sector has hovered just under 35%.
Customized Board Training: Build a Strong and Productive Board That Serves Your Mission
Your board is the foundation governing body of your organization. 501 Commons offers a variety of learning sessions that can be customized specifically for your board and delivered online.
4 Tips for Optimizing Your Volunteers' Experience
Volunteers are a core part of your nonprofit’s team, running your fundraisers, lending a hand to your programs, and ensuring everyday administrative tasks are completed.
How To Attract and Retain Monthly Donors
Nonprofits spend countless hours and resources acquiring new donors, only to see many vanish after a single gift. The key to long-term sustainability is monthly donors. They give more over time, provide steady revenue, and form the foundation of a thriving fundraising program. However, attracting these donors and keeping them engaged requires a strategic approach.
4 Event Management Tips for Running a Safe Fundraiser
Nonprofits have long relied on fundraising events as an extra revenue stream for their missions—whether that’s a walk-a-thon, charity gala, golf tournament, auction, or conference with interactive product demos.
3 Auditing Tips to Evaluate Your Nonprofit Website's Impact
Assessing your nonprofit’s digital infrastructure is crucial to driving a high return on investment (ROI) with your online presence. We recommend auditing your nonprofit’s website at least once a quarter to identify opportunities for improvement and areas where you can drive a greater impact for your mission online.
4 Tips to Planning a Successful Capital Campaign
Capital campaigns empower nonprofits to significantly increase their capacity, whether that means building a new facility to serve more beneficiaries or setting up an endowment fund to secure the long-term stability of the organization.
3 Ways to Protect Your Organization, Donors, and Constituents from Cybercrime
More than ever, it's important that nonprofits get serious about protecting their organizations from cybercrime. Talk to your board and leadership today about any of these three ways you can shore up your cybersecurity measures.
3 Actional Tips for Data-Driven Recruitment for New Nonprofits
Picture this: You’re the leader of a new nonprofit and are in charge of building the organization from the ground up. Items on your immediate to-do list might be spreading awareness of your mission, acquiring donors and volunteers, and applying for grants to cover initial overhead costs.
Exempt or Non-exempt? That is the Question!
A Compliance Notice from the 501 Commons Human Resources Program
How to Recognize Donors in Your Text-to-Give Campaigns
Fundraising is key to furthering your nonprofit’s mission and amplifying your impact. Since the communication channels you use greatly affect the way donors engage with your organization, it’s essential to focus on the channels they use frequently—such as text messaging.
Emotional Intelligence and Nonprofit Marketing: An FAQ Guide
All nonprofit marketers tackle this question daily. Marketing campaigns can vary greatly between nonprofits based on their specific donor base, but the common thread tying them all together? Bridging the emotional gap between your audience and your mission, which requires deep emotional intelligence (EQ).
Cybersecurity Essentials for Nonprofits: Championing Data Privacy
Written by Vonnita Jones