Recent Posts

6 mins read

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.

Latest Articles

Ask Rita: The 2016 Federal Exempt Minimum Salary Rule—Gone, or on Pause?

The 2016 rule is gone. The DOL is working on a new one. Employers still need to conscientiously remain in compliance with any State laws.

Funder’s Corner: Finding Your Data Path to Success

Interview with Ken Doane of SH Cowell Foundation, one of the remaining funders committed to supporting capacity building.

Tips for Nonprofits: Surviving Government Shutdowns

All nonprofits should draw up contingency plans to cushion the impact of these cuts and survive future shutdowns.

The Best Way To Put Clients First Is To Let Them Lead!

Internal tension and disagreements began to dissipate when the voices of those we serve were engaged in dialogue and decision-making.

Want Equity? Then It’s Time to Break the Rules!

Do not buy into the idea that things will never change. The work is too important, the consequences too severe, for us to let fear stop us.

Ask Rita: When Is Work Time Too Small To Count?

Employers may not arbitrarily fail to count time worked, however small, of the employee’s regular schedule or any period of time.

Social Enterprise & Earned Income: A Key To Revenue or a Distraction?

It sounds like a great idea to start a social enterprise that provides both income and impact, but it’s a bit more complicated than that.

You Can’t Fire Me, I’m a Volunteer!

If you’re too busy to deal with a disgruntled volunteer, she might quit, take all of her friends, and besmirch the organization’s good name.

Empowering Next Generation Leaders through Crowdfunding

Launching a crowdfunding campaign is the easy part. The real work is building a community of supporters, a movement of change-makers.

Nonprofit Leadership Tips from the Basketball Court

“If you play life as a game, you’ll always win.” While the work of nonprofits is no game, there are many lessons we can learn from them.

Some Say Fundraising Is Just Sales: They’re Wrong!

You need belief in your organization’s ability to make an impact; belief in those your organization serves; and belief in the funder and their desire to create change in partnership with your organization.

Fundraising for “Friends of” Organizations

Work your advantages as a “Friend of,” and your fundraising efforts will have you feeling like the cat’s pajamas!

Ask Rita: Employees Who Cross Jurisdictions: Which Law Applies?

For nonprofits challenged by operating in different regions, compliance requirements need to be weighed against potential for impact.

Why You May Need to Delete Half of Your Nonprofit’s Email List

When you first do an email engagement analysis, it’s not unusual to find 30%-50% of your list is unengaged.

Volunteer Management: How to Get it Right

Nonprofits can lift up volunteers and VEPs. The key to success is visibly appreciating volunteers’ roles in contributing to your mission.

Ask Rita: How Do I Prevent Sexual Harassment at My Nonprofit?

5 ways to maintain a nonprofit culture that will not accept or tolerate any sexual misconduct or activity in the workplace in any form.

Scarcity or Abundance? An Experiment in Collaborative Fundraising

With a scarcity mentality, we are competing for a slice of pie. Collaborating with a mentality that there’s enough to go around, can we grow the pie?

The New Fundraising Frontier: Impact Investing

There’s a growing movement among foundations toward impact investing: equity investments, loan guarantees, and everything in between.

In-Kind Fundraising: A Great Way to Expand Your Budget

In-kind solicitation enables you to supplement your budget in meaningful ways, create stronger, lasting mutual relationships, and more.

Ask Rita: Are Summer Helpers Employees, Contractors, or Interns?

When bringing on seasonal workers, you need to pay close attention to age and properly classify workers to avoid getting burned.

Show Me The Money! A Step Toward Solving the Problem of Operating Support

The nonprofit sector is undercapitalized, and one organization is trying to solve this problem.