Recent Posts

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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

Nonprofit Fundraising: Are You Choosing the Right Grants?

Grants are an important source of funds for nonprofits, but some may come with strings attached that can create more headaches than positives for your organization. A strategic approach can help you be sure you’re applying for the grants that best meet your needs.

Preparing Your Nonprofit to Move Beyond the Founder

Sometimes, the continued growth and success of a nonprofit means the founder must recognize when the time is right to step aside and trust others to guide the organization and its 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.

How Lessons Learned From Fighting Food Insecurity Can Help Your Nonprofit

Simple acts can have a big impact on the community. Learn how one nonprofit discovered the tools to fight systemic issues were at their disposal all along — they just needed to learn how to use them.

Five Lessons for Creating an Effective (and Accountable) Nonprofit Board

Help your board members avoid dysfunction and clearly understand their roles in supporting your nonprofit’s success.

Grant Management Series: Involving Your CFO throughout the Grant Application Process

Learn how your CFO can contribute to a successful grant application — and the administrative processes that follow.

Empowering Community Voices: The Strategic Advantage of Nonprofit Advisory Committees

An inclusive and engaged advisory committee has the potential to increase the quality, reach, and overall impact of your nonprofit’s work on a consistent basis.

Ask Rita in HR: Should Murphy’s Law Be a Consideration in Making HR Decisions?

Some factors to keep in mind when you’re planning to discipline or terminate a nonprofit employee.

A Cautionary Tale: Overcoming Governance Nightmares in Nonprofit Organizations

Adopting solid organizational policies can help your nonprofit set expectations and avoid a laundry list of problems.

The Big Chill: Why Nonprofits Should Care about Affirmative Action

Exploring how nonprofits can remain committed to supporting the health, economic security, and well-being of historically marginalized communities — even after the end of affirmative action.

Vision Before Strategy: A Nonprofit’s Guide to Defining Success

Defining the desired outcome and what constitutes success in measurable terms helps stakeholders align their actions and priorities, ensuring that every effort is geared toward achieving this shared vision.

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.

Charting a New Course for Youth Engagement

A blueprint for how using strategic inquiry can help your nonprofit better understand your community’s needs and provide key insights with the potential to help you innovate and better serve those who count on you.

Is Your Nonprofit’s Mission Obsolete — Or Just Ready for a New Direction?

Measuring the dual bottom lines of sustainability and impact can help you determine if the time has come for your nonprofit to conclude your mission — or pivot to a new one.

Five Signs Your Nonprofit is Ready to Reach a Bigger Community

Does your nonprofit consistently reach the same group? It may be time to consider expanding your marketing efforts to reach a wider audience.

The MONGO Dilemma: To Collaborate or Not?

Many nonprofits overlook the opportunity to partner with existing organizations in favor of creating their own programs and solutions.

Unmasking the Silent Impact of Trauma in Nonprofits

A trauma-informed culture enhances your nonprofit’s organizational sustainability, employee well-being, and overall productivity.

The Art of Grant Budgeting: A Guide for Nonprofit CFOs

Is your organization’s CFO ready to put together a grant proposal budget that will make an impact with potential funders?

5 Ways Nonprofits Can Balance Creativity and Structure

Learn how balancing creativity with structure can help your nonprofit foster innovation — without compromising your mission and goals.

How to Persuade a New Generation to Join Your Nonprofit’s Board

Highlighting the personal and professional benefits of serving on your nonprofit’s board can help you make the role more appealing to younger candidates.

Nonprofit ROI: How “Measuring the Good” Can Help Nonprofits Justify Investments

Expanding what “return on investment” means to your nonprofit — beyond just money — can help provide a clearer idea of how you’re helping your community and serving your mission goals.

9 Principles to Make Your Nonprofit Fundraising Effective — and Fun!

Raising funds for your nonprofit doesn’t have to be stressful. Learn how one California nonprofit proved that, when designed thoughtfully and collaboratively, fundraising can be successful and enjoyable.

A Practical Process Guide to Getting and Keeping Your Volunteers

Providing your nonprofit’s volunteers with the same recruitment, training, mentoring, and appreciation as your employees can reduce turnover and create a better overall volunteer experience.

Moving Beyond Performance: Making DEI Actionable

If you want to make your organization a healthy space for all and overcome biases and prejudices, you have to do the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work. It’s that simple.