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Nonprofit organizations thrive when their operations are efficient, their teams are aligned, and their communities are engaged. This article explores how nonprofits can leverage tools like organizational chart software and donor databases to streamline workflows, manage teams effectively, and enhance donor relationships. It also highlights the value of focus groups as a strategy for refining programs and improving community impact.
Image Credit: ThisIsEngineering on Pexels Artificial intelligence (AI) has come to the nonprofit sector. Whether one views the technology as a force for good or something more sinister, the use of AI by nonprofits is sure to grow. More than half of nonprofits are using AI in some capacity, according to a recent report by the Center for Effective Philanthropy.
Discover best practices for motivating todays donors to stay involved in your mission. Old fundraising models like the donor funnel fall short because they emphasize monetary contributions over meaningful connections. Our free guide explores four new models that deepen your relationships to drive engagement, retention, and donations.
Image credit: RDNE Stock project on Pexels This is the first in a series of six NPQ articles that first challengeand then changethe way we think about volunteers. In this series, The Unexpected Value of Volunteers, Masaoka takes on the underappreciated topic of volunteerism, provides some unexpected ideas, and points the way toward a public policy agenda on volunteerism.
Speaker: Lee Andrews, Founder at LJA New Media & Tony Karrer, Founder and CTO at Aggregage
This session will walk you through how one CEO used generative AI, workflow automation, and sales personalization to transform an entire security company—then built the Zero to Strategy framework that other mid-market leaders are now using to unlock 3.5x ROI. As a business executive, you’ll learn how to assess AI opportunities in your business, drive adoption across teams, and overcome internal resource constraints—without hiring a single data scientist.
By Alex Counts The global humanitarian movement is under siege. With the dismantling of USAID, it has become clear that we need new paradigms and modalities if we are to resuscitateor even invigoratethe global humanitarian enterprise. Current models of private philanthropy alone cant make up for the sudden reduction of American development assistance (which itself follows on a more gradual reduction in aid from the United Kingdom), and we need to acknowledge that effective organizations as well
The gift from billionaire Sanford Weill and his wife, Joan, brings together researchers from several institutions to study how nutrition and metabolism impact the bodys ability to control cancer. By Maria Di Mento John Abbott Sanford Weill, second from left, with Weill Cancer Hub Easts scientific leads, from left, Dr. Jedd Wolchok of Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr.
As you work on your nonprofit messages, remember the word why. Why, you ask? Because a lot of nonprofit communication doesnt focus on why something is important. Theres usually a lot of what and how, but not much why. The typical fundraising letter and newsletter article rambles on about accomplishments without explaining why something matters. Some organizations also like to pour on the statistics.
As you work on your nonprofit messages, remember the word why. Why, you ask? Because a lot of nonprofit communication doesnt focus on why something is important. Theres usually a lot of what and how, but not much why. The typical fundraising letter and newsletter article rambles on about accomplishments without explaining why something matters. Some organizations also like to pour on the statistics.
Image credit: Photo by Marco Bianchetti on Unsplash In anticipation of being threatened with defunding, PBS decided this past January to close their DEI office. In a statement they shared with NPR , they noted, The staff members who served in that office are leaving PBS. PBS was not forced to act. The nonprofit faces financial risk, of course, as it receives 16 percent of its funding from the federal government.
Ditch the cookie-cutter thank-you. Todays donors expect moreand deserve it. Learn how to deliver powerful, personalized stewardship that speaks directly to each type of donor. Backed by psychology and real-world success, this session will show you how to use gratitude strategically to boost retention, increase giving, and create lasting impact. If you want donors to feel seen, valued, and inspiredthis is your must-attend session.
Lets stop just blaming Big Oil, Republicans, and apathetic voters. The climate movement needs to reach out to conservatives and integrate ideas of the left and the right. By Trammell S. Crow and Bill Shireman NurPhoto via AP Climate campaigns rely too heavily on apocalyptic messaging, the authors argue. Above, an Earth Day protest in Washington, D.C., in 2022.
The Nonprofit Budget Balancing Act: Crafting Budgets for Fundraising Success Nonprofit leaders know all too well that crafting budgets isnt just about numbersits about storytelling. When it comes to securing funding, your budget serves as a narrative tool, helping funders understand your mission, your needs, and your impact. But the challenge lies in the fact that not all funders want to see the same story.
Speaker: Gareth Webb & Phill Selley, Founding Partners at Intouch Business
For many nonprofit organizations and NGOs, managing grants with spreadsheets and manual processes feels familiar—but is it holding your organization back? As funding requirements become more complex and stakeholder expectations for transparency grow, relying on outdated methods can lead to inefficiencies, missed opportunities, and compliance risks. Join Gareth Webb and Phil Selley in this new session as they walk through the grant lifecycle, highlighting key operational and financial challenges
The Communications Networks 2025 Pulse Polls | Survey #1 offers a snapshot of how nonprofits and foundations are adjusting their communications strategies under the new administration. Fielded February 4 through 10, 2025, the survey asked 340 communications professionals about shifts in priorities, top challenges, and external messaging. We spoke with Communications Network CEO Sean Gibbons and Anita Sharma, researcher and principal at 4th Street Communications, who ran the survey, about the fin
Not all nonprofit web design solutions are created equal. Our one-pager breaks down the must-have features every nonprofit should prioritize, including mobile-friendly accessibility, seamless donation integration, SEO, top-tier security, and affordable customization. Learn how to maximize your websites impact without breaking the budget. Download now to ensure your nonprofits site is built for success!
Amid a loneliness epidemic that affects Black women at high rates, can a network of "aunties" help? By Nandita Raghuram Getty Images Keep up with everything happening in The Commons by signing up for the Chronicle's Philanthropy Today newsletter or our weekly Commons LinkedIn newsletter.
Tired of Juggling 10 Systems That Dont Talk to Each Other? Here’s the Fix “Automation isnt about removing the human touchits about protecting it.” David Watters, Simple & Engaging Does your nonprofit rely on a patchwork of systemsGoogle Sheets, Eventbrite, Mailchimp, Canva, Salesforce, and five othersto keep things running? Are your staff constantly switching tabs, re-entering the same data in multiple places, and wondering why nothing ever really syncs?
Your financial statements hold powerful insights—but are you truly paying attention? Many finance professionals focus on the income statement while overlooking key signals hidden in the balance sheet and cash flow statement. Understanding these numbers can unlock smarter decision-making, uncover risks, and drive long-term success. Join David Worrell, accomplished CFO, finance expert, and author, for an engaging, nontraditional take on reading financial statements.
I recently received a prickly thank you letter that made my blood boil. Not because it was so bad, but because it wasnt good. It didnt make me want to renew my support. And thats unforgiveable. Because the point of the first gift is to get a second one. Otherwise, donor acquisition costs you more than you make. Its simply not worth the effort unless you commit to donor retention.
PHLY agents can now submit new business applications online in a matter of minutes! Use theNew Business Submissionportal in MyPHLY to request coverage, enter the desired premium amount, and track the status of the application. We make it EASY!
They need to be transparent to reduce the possibility of rumors and continue to make organizational culture a high priority, experts say. By Rasheeda Childress Getty Images They need to be transparent to reduce the possibility of rumors and continue to make organizational culture a high priority, experts say.
Statisticians use the phrase separating signal from noise to illustrate the need to distinguish between important data that should drive decision making and irrelevant or misleading data. The noise for nonprofit fundraisers is created by the current transactional, impersonal model that powers direct mail and email fundraising. The data collected in this model might include the time of day a donation request is sent, subject lines, length and language of the appeals, etc.
Traditional budgeting and forecasting methods can no longer keep pace with today’s rapidly evolving business environment. Static budgets, rigid annual forecasts, and outdated financial models limit an organization’s ability to adapt to market shifts and economic uncertainty. To stay ahead, finance leaders must leverage a future-forward approach—one that leverages real-time data, predictive analytics, and continuous planning to drive smarter financial decisions.
Our Ask An Expert series features real questions answered by Claire Axelrad, J.D., CFRE, our very own Fundraising Coach , also known as Charity Clairity. Todays question comes from a nonprofit employee who wants advice on how to get started with AI for nonprofits: Dear Charity Clairity, I know I should be using AI or ChatGPT to be more efficient in my work, but just dont know how to get started.
Its not too late to register for the worlds No. 1 fundraising conference AFP ICON 2025! Join us April 27-29 to gain insights from industry leaders, network with peers, and explore innovative strategies to maximize impact. Whether you're a seasoned expert or new to the field, this is your chance to grow, connect, and get reinvigorated.
Nonprofit workers stressed by the uncertainty their groups face should acknowledge their emotions, set limits around work, and find purpose beyond their jobs, experts advise. By Rasheeda Childress Getty Images Nonprofit workers stressed by the uncertainty their groups face should acknowledge their emotions, set limits around work, and find purpose beyond their jobs, experts advise.
The results of the Council on Foundations latest CF Insights Annual Survey , which tracks community foundation activity in fiscal year 2023, present a mixed picture: The U.S. economy had begun to recover from the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, driving greater returns on invested assets, yet individual giving fellnot only for community foundations but across the broader sector.
Speaker: Tim Sarrantonio, Director of Corporate Brand
Do you really know your donors? Not just what they give, but who they are? 👥 In this interactive session, we’ll break down how nonprofits can use behavioral indicators (affinity, recency, frequency, and monetary value) to build prospecting segments that go beyond wealth screening and actually align with donor identity. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to move beyond basic demographics and cultivate supporters based on how they already engage with you!
For years, I was firmly anti-SWAGconvinced donor dollars should never fund mugs, totes, or tchotchkes. But then a surprise gift arrived: a simple pair of socks from an animal welfare org I love. That small gesture completely changed my perspective on what great SWAG can do. Here is why. The post How a Pair of Socks Changed My Mind About SWAG appeared first on Joan Garry Consulting.
Some fundraisers are unhappy with the organization's response and are pushing for ways to participate virtually. By Rasheeda Childress Getty Images Some fundraisers are unhappy with the organization's response and are pushing for ways to participate virtually.
Big Results for Small Nonprofits: 5 Fundraising Strategies Your nonprofit may not have the same resources, well-established donor base, or strong brand recognition as many larger, more long-standing organizations. But with the right fundraising strategies, you can still reach a broad audience and build strong, loyal donor relationships you can count on.
Payroll compliance is a cornerstone of business success, yet for small and midsize businesses, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of federal, state, and local regulations. Mistakes can lead to costly penalties and operational disruptions, making it essential to adopt advanced solutions that ensure accuracy and efficiency.
In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, host Rob Harter talks with Debbie Levin, CEO of the Environmental Media Association (EMA). Debbie shares her incredible journey of leading EMA for over 25 years, rebuilding the organization from the ground up, and strategically using the influence of Hollywood to promote sustainability and environmental awareness.
Sometimes, your website reveals things about your organization that you might not have intended. Like: Hey donor, we are not very interested in you. But we think you should be very interested in us! That’s common, though I doubt it’s ever the intended message. Let me show you how it happens by describing a very typical nonprofit homepage.
The far right has spent millions peddling its anti-immigrant narrative. Philanthropy can help tell a more powerful story about immigrants value to the nation. By Beatriz Lopez NurPhoto via AP The far right has spent millions peddling its anti-immigrant narrative. Philanthropy can help tell a more powerful story about immigrants value to the nation.
If volunteers make up a large percentage of your nonprofits team, you know how important their support and dedication are in your efforts to achieve your mission. However, 26% of volunteer leaders noted that recruiting volunteers was a top challenge for their organization in 2024. We want to help your nonprofit succeed and make volunteer recruitment the best part of your job.
Speaker: Duke Heninger, Partner and Fractional CFO at Ampleo & Creator of CFO System
Are you ready to elevate your accounting processes for 2025? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive webinar led by Duke Heninger, a seasoned fractional CFO and CPA passionate about transforming back-office operations for finance teams. This session will cover critical best practices and process improvements tailored specifically for accounting professionals.
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