Recent Posts
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.
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Unicorns Found: Meet Two Grantwriters
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Word on the Street from the Council on Foundations Conference
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The Unrecognized Value of Community Nonprofits, Hiring Grantwriters, Extended Warranties, MTV
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In Search of Unicorns: Finding & Hiring Grantwriters, Part 1
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Nonprofit Budgets Have to Balance: False!
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Don’t Drive, Chew Gum and Use the Phone at the Same Time
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Meaningful Acts of Appreciation for Nonprofit Boards and Staff
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Nonprofits and the Media
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Pay Off My Student Loan or Pay Into a 401K?
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Why is it called Blue Avocado?
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Abolish Board Committees?
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Reasons to Have (& Not to Have) an Attorney on a Nonprofit Board
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Can We Require An Employee To Take Her Meds?
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Promises, Promises: Rural Advocates vs. Big Philanthropy
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Five Ways to Let Government Money Run You Over
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Good Management vs. Good Leadership
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What Do I Say to a Donor or Funder?
Rick Cohen explores the faith-based federal funds initiative launched by President Bush and revamped by President Obama.
Edie Boatman reflects on a year spent working in nonprofits — during the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.
Ask Rita shares sample language for your human resources staff to use when creating your organization’s dress code.
Jeanne Bell argues it’s time to stop looking at budgets and pay attention instead to projections and financial goals.
Board members invest a lot of time and energy at board meetings. A few small changes can often make that investment pay off in important ways.
Ask Rita explores whether or not it’s legal for a nonprofit organization to ban visible body art for its employees and staffers.
Martin Gorfinkel compares AA to other nonprofits, and how many of their practices run counter to commonly accepted nonprofit “best practices.”
Rick Cohen takes on the much-publicized, little-analyzed new federal Social Innovation Fund.
Nelson Layag shares how he was able to utilize social media features to raise money to support organizations in his community.
Search consultant and volunteer leader Sally Carlson shares something different about how to find a nonprofit job right now.
A powerful approach to determining your board’s agenda and work for the year.
A nonprofit dashboard gives important information to decision-makers such as executives and boards in a quick-read way.
How to involve board members in decision-making, staff mentoring of staff, and fundraising — even when they’re in unexpected circumstances.
The 990 Online software issue and a modest investment that would ease the implementation burden for nonprofits nationwide
Urban myths and legends gain a measure of credibility just by their frequent telling and longevity — and nonprofits aren’t immune.
Ask Rita responds to two reader questions about what nonprofit employees can do when a difficult boss is beginning to become a real problem.
Blue Avocado takes a quick look at the mostly inaccurate way nonprofit organizations are depicted on the big and small screens.
Consultant David La Piana discusses how boards tend to be frustrated with their committees when they don’t know how to organize them.
A board of directors proactively supporting volunteer involvement can dramatically increases its potential achievement level.
Martin Gorfinkel explores the difficulties and roadblocks that seniors and retirees can encounter when seeking volunteering opportunities.
John Killacky explores how the arts can survive and thrive — even as civil society changes, and health and human service needs rise.
How a Make-A-Wish Executive Director took an unusual approach to raising funds for her organization.
In most nonprofits, board members need to fundraise to provide for the financial sustainability of their organizations. But how?
To mark one year exploring nonprofit life, we asked readers to enter our competition for the a wacky nonprofit moment. Here are the winners!