Once a year, you get to tell the world your story in long form and provide context on your strategy. Make the most of your annual report by answering four important questions:
Tip: Your report might be digital. Would a video work better? If so, production quality is key. (more…)
For some, working from a home office is not new and might have been a carefully considered choice. But the pandemic has forced many institutions to adjust, sometimes radically, to maintain an effective work environment.
Now many months into these new arrangements, signs of general fatigue threaten productivity and enthusiasm, not just for employees but for board members as well. People no longer consider virtual get-togethers after work clever and fun.
When it comes to your board, how do you fight lethargy and keep your board members engaged and enthusiastic? (more…)
Last year, organizations were forced to adjust their operations to ensure a COVID-safe environment for staff, volunteers, recipients, and board members. Additionally, annual events that were typically a core part of fundraising had to be reimagined.
Many events were canceled outright, while others were drastically changed. The gala became the un-gala. The fun run morphed into the un-run.
And while everyone longs for times when social gatherings and events weren’t dangerous, socially distancing will be the norm for a while—and fundraising will continue to be impacted. (more…)
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the Bay Area, many nonprofit organizations have been hit especially hard. The traditional methods of fundraising, which often included in-person events, have been replaced by virtual activities and online donations. Although support in the form of cash donations is most common, many organizations also continue to receive nonfinancial donations, also known as gifts-in-kind. These often include materials and supplies such as food, clothing, toiletries, or pharmaceuticals, and other assets such as land, buildings, or equipment. (more…)
Every organization survives and thrives on the talent of its employees. That’s why it’s strategically important to have a steady pipeline of talented people ready to assume the next important role in your organization.
This is true from the very bottom to the tip-top of the organizational chart. You want the best people for every job, knowing that some positions will be easier to fill than others. (more…)
Every industry sector has its risks, and nonprofit organizations are no different. When it comes to risk management, identifying risk is only part of the battle. Once risks are recognized, you need a plan to address them with changes in policy or procedures.
While adequate insurance—directors and officers liability or property and casualty coverage, for example—is essential to managing risk, your organization must also assess activities which, if poorly managed, might get in the way of its mission.
Managing risk for a nonprofit organization often includes three main areas: money, people, and reputation. (more…)
Competition for donations is only getting tougher. With many in-person events canceled, a well-designed donation web page is essential. Fundraising research firm, Next After, has many suggestions to make your donation page effective, engaging, and easy to use. Here are a few: (more…)
It’s not easy to get donors to come back. Indeed, just getting a donor to give once is a big first step. Continually strengthening donor relations is important to your ongoing success.
Consider the state of donor retention. According to the Fundraising Effectiveness Project, which is a quarterly report compiled by the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Urban Institute, donor retention hovers around 45 percent.
This means that more than 50 percent of donors don’t continue with a given cause. And it’s no surprise that early reporting for 2020 indicates a further increase in attrition.
How can your organization buck this trend? Here are three steps to consider: (more…)
Not all nonprofit organizations are required to have an independent audit of their financial statements. However, there are several circumstances that trigger a mandatory audit, including expending $750,000 or more per year in federal funds. Many state and federal contracts, bank loans, and private foundations may also require audited financials.
As important as they are, audits can be time-consuming, costly, and frustrating for nonprofit organizations, their boards, and staff. To ensure that the process goes smoothly, here are five ways to prepare: (more…)
