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

A hand holding $300 reaches out of a mobile phone.

Fundraising,Marketing and Communications

3 Online Fundraising Tips for Small Nonprofits

ByAbby Jarvis March 11, 2019 Fundraising,Marketing and Communications

How to use digital fundraising tools to ease your nonprofit’s workload and raise more money in the process.

a group of people talking in front of artwork

Community and Culture,Leadership and Management

Community Development: Strategies That Serve

ByMelinda Kramer and Amira Diamond March 11, 2019 Community and Culture,Leadership and Management

Ask the community you serve what they want and need. Remember that your work should happen through, not to, the communities you serve.

An energy saving light bulb on top of 5 hundred dollar bills

Leadership and Management

Funding Innovation: Top Tips

ByMarc Rand March 11, 2019 Leadership and Management

How can you fund innovation when your nonprofit continues to struggle to keep the lights on? Here are some ideas.

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

HR and Employment Issues

Ask Rita: Is Terminating an At-Will Employee Risk-Free?

ByMike Bishop March 11, 2019 HR and Employment Issues

Reliance on at-will employment to support a termination without proper preparation and risk assessment can lead to serious consequences.

two people looking at papers with charts and graphs

Fundraising

Finding Your Data Path to Success, Part 2: What We Learned Along the Way

ByBetsy Block and Corey Newhouse March 9, 2019 Fundraising

Mapping where data is stored, along with creating a logic model that shows important outcomes to track, helps your nonprofit focus resources.

A brightly-lit workplace with industrial design

Community and Culture

3 Keys to Mission-Based Workplace Design

ByScott Delano January 23, 2019 Community and Culture

Efficient layouts can drive cost savings & support collaborative work environments. Branded spaces inspire employees to live out your mission

small figurine of a man reading a book sitting on some coins

Fundraising

What I Learned as a Funder: Frank Tips for Nonprofits

ByCatherine Crystal Foster January 23, 2019 Fundraising

Funders and nonprofits should keep sight of the fact that human beings are on the other side of the table. Social sector work is about people.

The nicest college dormroom ever. Looks like an image from an IKEA catalog.

Leadership and Management

How We Built a Nonprofit from Our College Bedroom and What We Wish We Knew

ByAhaana Singh and Caroline McGuire January 23, 2019 Leadership and Management

Simple advice that can help guide you more quickly to the best practices without learning the hard way when starting a nonprofit.

HR and Employment Issues

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

ByMike Bishop January 23, 2019 HR and Employment Issues

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.

a wooded path surrounded by trees with sun shining through

Fundraising

Funder’s Corner: Finding Your Data Path to Success

ByDarian Rodriguez Heyman January 23, 2019 Fundraising

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

the united states capitol building with caution tape in front

HR and Employment Issues

Tips for Nonprofits: Surviving Government Shutdowns

ByNahida Nisa January 23, 2019 HR and Employment Issues

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

HR and Employment Issues,Sample Policies & Templates

Sample eWorkplace HR Policy

ByBlue Avocado December 6, 2018 HR and Employment Issues,Sample Policies & Templates

A sample eWorkplace HR Policy. Intended for use by nonprofit organizations.

People being projected from a pair of hands.

Leadership and Management

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

ByDr. Marc Spencer November 12, 2018 Leadership and Management

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

Community and Culture,Marketing and Communications

3 Things We Know About Engaging Millennials in Your Nonprofit’s Cause

ByDerrick Feldmann November 12, 2018 Community and Culture,Marketing and Communications

Millennials trust people like themselves more than nonprofits, government, and business. They want to improve the world.

Man with sledgehammer looks at light coming through broken wall

Finance,Fundraising

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

ByDavid Greco November 12, 2018 Finance,Fundraising

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.

HR and Employment Issues

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

ByEllen Aldridge, J.D. November 12, 2018 HR and Employment Issues

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

Businessman looks through giant keyhole window

Finance,Fundraising

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

ByMarc Rand November 12, 2018 Finance,Fundraising

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.

Apple MacBook beside computer mouse on table

Leadership and Management,Volunteers

You Can’t Fire Me, I’m a Volunteer!

ByKevin M. Ressler, M.Div November 12, 2018 Leadership and Management,Volunteers

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.

Fundraising,Leadership and Management

Empowering Next Generation Leaders through Crowdfunding

ByAndreas Karelas September 22, 2018 Fundraising,Leadership and Management

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

Community and Culture,Leadership and Management

Nonprofit Leadership Tips from the Basketball Court

ByDr. John R. Gerdy September 22, 2018 Community and Culture,Leadership and Management

“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.

Fundraising,Marketing and Communications

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

ByTori O’Neal-McElrath September 22, 2018 Fundraising,Marketing and Communications

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.