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.

New 990 Software Release on July 20: Is It Enough?

The 990 Online software issue and a modest investment that would ease the implementation burden for nonprofits nationwide

Alligators in the Boardroom and Urban Legends About Nonprofits

Urban myths and legends gain a measure of credibility just by their frequent telling and longevity — and nonprofits aren’t immune.

Ask Rita: I Have a Bad Boss! Help!

Ask Rita responds to two reader questions about what nonprofit employees can do when a difficult boss is beginning to become a real problem.

Nonprofits Portrayed in Popular Culture

Blue Avocado takes a quick look at the mostly inaccurate way nonprofit organizations are depicted on the big and small screens.

Boards Should Only Have Three Committees!

Consultant David La Piana discusses how boards tend to be frustrated with their committees when they don’t know how to organize them.

What Are the Board’s Responsibilities for Volunteers?

A board of directors proactively supporting volunteer involvement can dramatically increases its potential achievement level.

The Volunteer Who Couldn’t

Martin Gorfinkel explores the difficulties and roadblocks that seniors and retirees can encounter when seeking volunteering opportunities.

Survival Strategies for the Arts

John Killacky explores how the arts can survive and thrive — even as civil society changes, and health and human service needs rise.

A Bigger Budget and Smaller Butt in Just 12 Weeks!

How a Make-A-Wish Executive Director took an unusual approach to raising funds for her organization.

Fundraising Confessions of a Former Camp Fire Girl

In most nonprofits, board members need to fundraise to provide for the financial sustainability of their organizations. But how?

Life on Planet 501c: Contest Winners

To mark one year exploring nonprofit life, we asked readers to enter our competition for the a wacky nonprofit moment. Here are the winners!

What’s the Point of a Nonprofit Board, Anyway?

Here we take an unconventional look at three dimensions of why boards exist: Legal reasons, mission reasons, and political reasons.

A 7-Point Checklist for Responding to a Request for Family or Medical Leave

Here are the basics for how a nonprofit should handle an employee’s request to take Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave.

Ask Rita: Wading through the New Family and Medical Leave Act Regulations

Administering the FMLA can be challenging. Ask Rita offers some guidance on the technicalities of recent changes to the law.

Finance Fear Factor Ratios

Watching indicators of financial health like performance-to-budget or reserve size are important, but may not say if you need to worry now.

Too Many Nonprofits? Yes – At Least Too Many AIDS Organizations

Mark Ishaug, CEO of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, expresses concern about reduced support for the HIV/AIDS community.

Health Insurance: A Bit of Good COBRA News

Personal finance guru Steve Zimmerman brings us some welcome good news that may help you keep health insurance if you’re laid off.

Too Many Nonprofits? Yes! Clueless in Seattle

Elizabeth Heath shares her thinking about the impact of the economic challenges of today on the nonprofit sector.

Volunteer Time Financial Statement Illustrations

Financial notes for the article, “Tracking Volunteer Time to Improve Your Bottom Line: A Complete Accounting Guide,” by Dennis Walsh, CPA.

Tracking Volunteer Time to Boost Your Bottom Line: A Complete Accounting Guide

CPA Dennis Walsh of North Carolina explains why and how to include volunteer time in your nonprofit’s budgets and financials.

A Devil’s Advocate on the Board?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if nonprofit boards could foresee the obstacles ahead — in time to make the right decisions?

Loans From Nonprofit Board Members

Should a nonprofit organization accept a personal loans from a board member? A starting point for a discussion with your board or financial advisor.

Ask Rita: Downsizing from Employees to Independent Contractors?

We are considering changing some of our employees into independent contractors as a cost-saving measure. What is the potential downside?

The Car Donation Controversy and the Right Way to Donate Your Car

Let’s review the rules around car donations, with some tips on how to donate, and how to get great mileage from a few donations a year.