Browse All Nonprofit Articles

There is plenty of wisdom and knowledge among the leaders and staff of the community-based nonprofits themselves. We just need a place through which to share these valuable nonprofit resources. Blue Avocado is that place.

We also believe that nonprofits can only be vibrant, healthy, and effective when they have access to financial resources and practical know-how shared by experts and peers. So welcome home.

Four Ways to Remove a Board Member

How to remove a board member that consistently disrupts meetings or is otherwise destructive and demoralizing.

Insider Newsletters: An Easy Way to Keep Your Board in the Loop and Engaged

Insider newsletters give your board members upbeat news in quick, regular bites — so your work will stay present to them between meetings.

Board Horror Stories: How to Reduce Board Resignations

Good communication about common objectives can prevent dissatisfaction and go a long way toward preventing board member resignations.

Four Ways to Remove a Board Member

How to remove a board member that consistently disrupts meetings or is otherwise destructive and demoralizing.

Link Arms to Elevate Your Nonprofit’s Impact

Nonprofit collaboration strategies: Working with like-minded people and organizations can create a deepened impact, more sustainable relationships, and a stronger funding pool for your mission.

Can Nonprofits Look to the Past to Build the Future?

Nonprofits may be surprised to find that their communities have already implemented the kind of innovative, collaborative programming that their leadership — and funders — are looking for.

Is There An Inequality Tipping Point for Nonprofits?

As the planet faces a climate crisis, inequality emerges as a new threat coming to face the nonprofit sector.

Using Philanthropy to Address Racial Harm and Inequity

Learn how the United Way of Greater Los Angeles (UWGLA) is using racial justice to inform their grantmaking efforts, and how other philanthropic organizations can help work to undo the legacies of harm inflicted upon communities of color.

Beyond the Hype: Why ESG Frameworks Miss the Mark for Small Nonprofits

When we take a closer look at what Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks actually entail, it is often not worth the time and resources for most small nonprofits to go through such a process.

Treasurers of All-Volunteer Organizations: Eight Key Responsibilities

Here is a wonderful, succinct guide that provides help for the 600,000 + treasurers of all-volunteer organizations (AVOs).

An Easy-to-Use Accounting Procedures Manual Template

Accounting Procedures Manual Template in Word. Download the Word document, and everything you need to fill in is in red.

A Guide for Private Foundations: Tax Exemption and 990-PF Filing Requirements

What you need to know to meet your foundation’s tax requirements and the 990-PF.

The Ultimate Guide to Nonprofit Fundraising in 2025

Fundraising Fuels Your Nonprofit’s Mission. We’ve distilled the best practices and innovative approaches to help you secure the funding you need.

The Best Route to Approaching Donors: Hand-Head-Heart

Effective donor engagement strategies: Consider and articulate how supporting the mission benefits your donors too.

Your Nonprofit Got its Grant. Now What?

Getting a grant isn’t just a handshake and a check — they can come with many conditions. Is your CFO ready?

Five Internal Controls for the Very Small Nonprofit

Checks and balances can be difficult when your nonprofit isn’t big. Discover five internal controls for the very small nonprofit.

Drive Your Nonprofit’s Mission by Investing in Your People

Nonprofits must advance their mission by valuing their employees’ worth by providing benefits and fair compensation for nonprofit employees.

Supporting Caregiver Employees in the Nonprofit Sector

With more workers than ever doubling as caregivers, nonprofits must find new, caring ways to support them in the workplace.

From Crisis to Clarity: Five Steps to Demystify Succession Planning

A sudden leadership transition can leave a nonprofit scrambling to survive. Don’t leave your mission to chance — plan for the future today.

The Expanded Matrix Map: Leveraging Your Triple Bottom Line for Fundraising

In today’s changing world, adding organizational values into the Matrix Map is crucial for nonprofits to demonstrate the impact of funding.

Nonprofit Leadership Isn’t Perfect, and That’s the Point

Leadership means something different to everyone, and nonprofits are no exception. But do these different definitions of leadership reflect the reality of the world we live in?

Insider Newsletters: An Easy Way to Keep Your Board in the Loop and Engaged

Insider newsletters give your board members upbeat news in quick, regular bites — so your work will stay present to them between meetings.

Nonprofit Rebranding Strategies: Five Steps to Achieving a Successful Nonprofit Rebrand

Nonprofit rebrands are tricky. Nonprofit rebranding strategies to help provide you with a roadmap to your own successful transition.

8 Easy Ways to Grab More Attention for Your Small Nonprofit

Getting what your nonprofit needs — funding, staff, and more — means showing how working with you can be a win-win.

The Realities of Living with Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is not an abstract: Our friends, neighbors, and communities are struggling to thrive. The challenges of food insecurity.

Volunteering Alone Will Not Save Us

To fight the battle against hunger, nonprofits can advocate for meaningful change in our societal structures.

Nonprofit Lessons from Star Wars

Deepak Bhargava of the Center for Community Change channels the Force to call nonprofits to action, drawing parallels to Star Wars.

Why Are Nonprofits Experiencing An Insurance Crisis? And What Can the Nonprofit Sector Do About it?

Nonprofit organizations are facing rising insurance premiums, poor coverage from commercial insurance carriers, and the loss of coverage altogether. Going forward, it will be increasingly difficult for nonprofits to secure the insurance they need to keep their doors open. A visionary foundation could change all this, and benefit many tens of thousands of nonprofits for decades to come.

Rethinking Perpetuity: Resetting Endowment Expectations After the Pandemic

With endowments, let’s rethink ‘forever’ and explore new, flexible ways to ensure your nonprofit organization’s longevity and effectiveness.

Risk Management for Nonprofits: Copyright

When web designers have an email from another nonprofit saying they don’t mind if you use one of their images, are you ok to use the image?

Litigating a Path to Progress: Nonprofit Advocacy through the Courts

Legislative inaction at the state and federal level has seen nonprofits moving toward using the courts to advance their advocacy campaigns like never before.

Citizens United Unfair to One Million Corporations

What to do about the Citizens United decision allowing for-profit corporations to spend unlimited funds on electoral campaigns.

Nonprofit Staff Don’t Vote in Elections? False!

“Nonprofit staff don’t vote.” The Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits tested this. Here’s what they found.

An Easy-to-Use Accounting Procedures Manual Template

Accounting Procedures Manual Template in Word. Download the Word document, and everything you need to fill in is in red.

5 Best Practices for Building a Nonprofit Annual Operating Budget (with Template!)

While no two nonprofits are exactly alike, there are some best practices that all organizations should use when building their annual operating budgets.

7 Guiding Principles for a JDEI Policy That Isn’t Just Hot Air. Plus, a Free Sample Policy!

Guiding principles for organizations that want to create a binding, board-approved JDEI policy with values, action plans, and accountability.

A Practical Guide to Getting and Keeping Nonprofit Volunteers

A guide to effectively manage volunteers, from recruiting to appreciation. Keep volunteers engaged and your organization thriving.

Treasurers of All-Volunteer Organizations: Eight Key Responsibilities

Here is a wonderful, succinct guide that provides help for the 600,000 + treasurers of all-volunteer organizations (AVOs).

Volunteering Alone Will Not Save Us

To fight the battle against hunger, nonprofits can advocate for meaningful change in our societal structures.

Blue Avocado Presents: What Nonprofits Need to Know About Working with Consultants – Live Q&A

Learn how to navigate the complexities of working with a consultant. From finding the right fit to building a successful partnership.

Blue Avocado Presents: What Nonprofits Need to Know About Fiscal Sponsorships – Live Q&A

Understanding fiscal sponsorships for nonprofits. Learn about the benefits, limitations, and considerations of this arrangement in our free webinar.

Blue Avocado Presents: Copyright Concerns for Nonprofits – Live Q&A

In the digital age, nonprofits engaging in various creative endeavors must be mindful of copyright concerns.

What do you believe are the most critical areas for improvement to achieve your mission?

Nonprofit leaders share what they believe are the most critical areas for improvement with the Blue Avocado community.

What are your nonprofit’s priorities and goals for 2025?

Nonprofit leaders and Blue Avocado readers answer the question, “What are your nonprofit’s priorities and goals for 2025?”

What are the Biggest Challenges in Getting (and Keeping) Your Nonprofit’s Staff and Volunteers?

Nonprofit leaders share the biggest challenges they face finding quality volunteers and staff with the Blue Avocado community.