“State nonprofit community development associations can’t simply close up shop because their states are in various stages of budgetary free-fall. A dozen associations at the annual conference of the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA) in Washington, D.C., on Monday and Tuesday, volunteered difficult answers to what they have accomplished for the nonprofit [...]
“Serving can provide support for worthwhile organizations that transcends monetary contributions. An individual who volunteers time for such involvement will find the work rewarding and productive while connecting people who have common interests. A young person who serves on a not-for-profit board will gain valuable insight and experience in a governance environment. Whether a person [...]
“Mission’ for nonprofits is the same as ‘profits’ for private sector companies. In the private sector, corporations achieve their goals by carefully designing business operations that are reflected in a budget and then regularly reporting on how actual profits compare to that budget. If mission accomplishment is as important as profit attainment, why do most [...]
“There are huge markets where people have needs — for food, shelter, education and more — but can’t afford to pay money out of their own pockets to have their needs met. In the United States, the government created the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation to help address this situation. Technically speaking, a 501(c)(3) is [...]
“Do you know how many of your supporters use popular social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube? 42.3% of the entire American population use Facebook. Twitter has over 16 million users. YouTube is the second most used search engine in the world. With usage stats like that it’s probably safe to assume that a large [...]
“Just as more jobs are being created, and the economy continues to lurch forward in a recovery, the outlook for charitable giving is trending upwards, according to the 2011 Cygnus Donor Survey that came out in April.Here are the ‘aha’ moments from that incredibly thorough and wide-reaching survey. Charitable Giving Up Respondents to the survey [...]
“The future of fund raising isn’t a topic that usually conjures up visions of Star Wars. But that might be changing with two academic efforts testing robot solicitors on three continents. Tim Pryde, a 21-year-old product-design student at the University of Dundee, in Scotland, built DON-8r – pronounced ‘donator’ – a small robot that travels [...]
“Raising funds in the form of in-kind donations may not be as straight forward as simply asking for cash, but can be lucrative and help your group through a slump when cash donations don’t meet expectations. However, in-kind donations are not just an alternative to cash donations, but should be considered year round as an [...]
You’re told that the organization is high impact in addressing a vital community issue, and that its services are cost effective. You’re giving your time and money (hopefully, generously). And other people see that you’re involved; they trust the organization because they trust you. Simply by serving on the board, you’re vouching. A cause you [...]