Top Recent Nonprofit Articles

Navigating the nonprofit world can be challenging. Blue Avocado offers expert guidance on a range of topics — from building strong boards to maximizing your fundraising impact. Explore our latest posts for practical tips, strategies, and solutions to common issues facing nonprofit organizations today.

Recent Nonprofit Articles

Marketing and Communications

Empowerment as the Key to Engaging Youth

ByDerrick Feldmann November 11, 2019 Marketing and Communications

How to craft messaging that’s effective to engage Millennials? Focus on belief, emotion, & simplicity, and influence how they see themselves.

a abstract painting of a group of people standing next to each other

HR and Employment Issues

Reducing Unconscious Bias in Recruiting

ByMolly Brennan November 11, 2019 HR and Employment Issues

Is unconscious bias impacting your hiring decisions and the diversity of your nonprofit staff?

Muted Paisly pattern background with "Ask Rita" text in middle

HR and Employment Issues

Ask Rita: What Are My Obligations to an Employee Receiving Infertility Treatments?

ByMike Bishop November 11, 2019 HR and Employment Issues

Have an employee who needs time off for infertility treatments? Find out the laws that apply and what leave options the employee might have.

a person holding a small sign with the text "Grateful"

Fundraising

Funder’s Corner: The Grateful Donor

ByPamela E. Davis September 16, 2019 Fundraising

How are you motivating donors? Pamela Davis shares her perspective as a grateful donor on what motivates her to give (and what doesn’t).

Illustration of two people outlined, with a multi colored fill

Marketing and Communications

A Peek Inside the Millennial Mind

ByDerrick Feldmann September 16, 2019 Marketing and Communications

How do you engage millennials in your nonprofit? Here’s a peek into the millennial mind when it comes to social change efforts.

Marketing and Communications

Lobbying & Advocacy: Five Reasons to Get Off the Sidelines

ByJeannie Fox September 16, 2019 Marketing and Communications

Is lobbying a dirty word in your nonprofit? It shouldn’t be. How you’re already doing advocacy work and how critical it is to your mission.

HR and Employment Issues,Leadership and Management

How to Hire Great Nonprofit Leaders

ByLee Warren September 16, 2019 HR and Employment Issues,Leadership and Management

A great leader is critical for your nonprofit, but do you know how to hire one? Key skills to look for in your next nonprofit leader.

Hand holds up a $20 bill in the shape of a puzzle piece

Board Management

Engaging Board Members: AAA Then and Now

ByKay Sprinkel Grace September 16, 2019 Board Management

Use AAA (Ambassador, Advocate, Asker) to engage your nonprofit board members who are not comfortable asking for money.

illustration of a meeting with six engaged people with symbols representing ideas

Board Management,Leadership and Management

Creating A Board That Works

ByJoan Garry September 16, 2019 Board Management,Leadership and Management

Nonprofits’ success depends on their ability to assemble a board that is committed to the mission and a strong partner to the executive director.

Illustration of multiple overlaid heads, meant to show diversity

Leadership and Management

A Nonprofit Leader’s Path to Becoming a Diversity and Inclusion Champion

ByMichael Watson September 16, 2019 Leadership and Management

Taking on diversity and inclusion in your nonprofit? What to do (and not to do) to have your efforts result on long-standing success

HR and Employment Issues

Ask Rita: How Do We Handle A Whistleblower?

ByMike Bishop September 16, 2019 HR and Employment Issues

If someone alerts you to wrongdoing within your nonprofit, they’re protected under the law. Here’s how to handle a whistleblower situation.

illustration of a whistleblower in a crowd

HR and Employment Issues,Sample Policies & Templates

Sample Whistleblower Policy

ByBlue Avocado September 16, 2019 HR and Employment Issues,Sample Policies & Templates

A full sample nonprofit whistleblower policy for nonprofits looking to create such a policy in their organization.

Fundraising

How to Cultivate Big Donors with a Small Staff

ByRobin Sukhadia July 15, 2019 Fundraising

Six strategies that can help nonprofits when embarking on major donor cultivation, even if your development department is tiny.

Younger man shakes older man's hand at the top of a staircase

Leadership and Management

Readers’ Thoughts: Secrets to Successful Succession

ByJulie Stiles July 15, 2019 Leadership and Management

Survey results and advices on the challenging topic of transitioning from a founder to new leadership within a nonprofit.

A group of people making web content on cameras and phones

Marketing and Communications

How to Build an Engagement Pathway for Millennials

ByDerrick Feldmann July 15, 2019 Marketing and Communications

Effective nonprofits begin relationships by making emotional connections. The key to growth is to continue to deepen that connection.

Board Management,Leadership and Management

Top 10 Nonprofit Board “Worst” Practices

ByMarc Rand July 15, 2019 Board Management,Leadership and Management

Pitfalls to avoid and real screw-ups that can undermine the impact and disrupt the natural flow of nonprofit boards.

Man puts hand on woman's shoulder, she doesn't look pleased

HR and Employment Issues

Ask Rita: How Do We Handle Harassment by an Outsider?

ByMike Bishop July 15, 2019 HR and Employment Issues

Have an effective policy. When a report is made, document the complaint. Take appropriate, swift, and effective action.

$USA Flag painted on a fractured street$

Leadership and Management

Political Polarization & Nonprofits: How Can You Bridge the Divide?

ByKevin Peters July 15, 2019 Leadership and Management

How does political polarization impact your nonprofit? This desire to do what is right is what binds us to each other.

Fundraising,Marketing and Communications

Win Back Your Lapsed Donors: 3 Effective Strategies

ByKelly Velasquez-Hague May 6, 2019 Fundraising,Marketing and Communications

Motivate lapsed donors to resume their support for your nonprofit with strategies that make it easy for them to give and stay updated on your progress.