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 piece of paper that shows "Insurance policy"

Board Management

What Should Nonprofit Boards Know About Insurance Brokers?

ByPamela E. Davis June 15, 2008 Board Management

With nonprofit insurance, a key part to getting the lowest costs and the best coverage is getting the right insurance broker.

a cup of coffee on a tablecloth. Text reads Board Cafe

Fundraising,HR and Employment Issues

In Search of Unicorns: Finding & Hiring Outside Grantwriters Part 2

ByAnonymous June 1, 2008 Fundraising,HR and Employment Issues

How to find grantwriters, select them, how much to pay them and what kinds of payment arrangements to choose.

a unicorn figurine sitting next to coins

Fundraising

Unicorns Found: Meet Two Grantwriters

ByBlue Avocado June 1, 2008 Fundraising

Grantwriters are elusive, seldom-seen miraculous creatures, possibly mythical. Here you have a chance to meet two of them.

Billboard text reads: Community is Strength. Be Strong. Look out for one another.

Fundraising

The Unrecognized Value of Community Nonprofits, Hiring Grantwriters, Extended Warranties, MTV

ByJan Masaoka June 1, 2008 Fundraising

There is a difference between community nonprofits on one hand, and universities and hospitals on the other, and it isn’t just size.

group of diverse business people talking around a meeting table

Opinion

Word on the Street from the Council on Foundations Conference

ByBlue Avocado June 1, 2008 Opinion

A long-time grant seeker and nonprofit staff person offers his impressions of a Council on Foundations conference.

Fundraising,HR and Employment Issues

In Search of Unicorns: Finding & Hiring Grantwriters, Part 1

ByJan Masaoka May 15, 2008 Fundraising,HR and Employment Issues

Almost everyone in community nonprofits thinks it would be great to have a grantwriter. It’s rare to find and work with this rare creature. Why?

illustration of a woman with a large pencil, a checklist, and an adding machine

Finance,Leadership and Management

Nonprofit Budgets Have to Balance: False!

ByJeanne Bell, MNA May 15, 2008 Finance,Leadership and Management

There are some good reasons why nonprofits sometimes have deficit budgets, that should be left that way. Find out why.

Illustration of woman driving while on phone

Risk Management

Don’t Drive, Chew Gum and Use the Phone at the Same Time

ByBlue Avocado May 15, 2008 Risk Management

Some nonprofit employees are expected to be available for mobile calls. Can they refuse to take work-related calls while driving?

Thank you card and an empty mug of coffee on a table

Board Management,Community and Culture

Meaningful Acts of Appreciation for Nonprofit Boards and Staff

ByAnonymous May 1, 2008 Board Management,Community and Culture

It often seems that efforts between board and staff of appreciation feel trivial at best, and even hypocritical or enraging at worst.

Marketing and Communications

Nonprofits and the Media

ByBlue Avocado May 1, 2008 Marketing and Communications

Examining the intertwined relationship between nonprofits and the media.

Person standing in front of two arrows on the ground, each going different directions

Finance

Pay Off My Student Loan or Pay Into a 401K?

ByBlue Avocado April 15, 2008 Finance

At student has $2,000 saved up and wonders if she should pay off her student loan, or pay into a 401K at work.

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

Community and Culture,HR and Employment Issues

What Should We Do About an Employee’s Outrageous Blog?

ByBlue Avocado April 15, 2008 Community and Culture,HR and Employment Issues

An employee posts unflattering comments about your nonprofit workplace. What can you do? Here are some ideas.

a group of people standing around a work table put hands in a pile

Board Management,Leadership and Management

Abolish Board Committees?

ByAnonymous April 15, 2008 Board Management,Leadership and Management

You may find that task forces with a specific purpose may provide better results than ongoing low-performing board committees.

Opinion

Why is it called Blue Avocado?

ByBlue Avocado April 15, 2008 Opinion

It’s an unusual title! Where did it come from? Find out here where this well-known nonprofit publication got its name.

close-up of people sitting at a table having a discussion

Board Management

Reasons to Have (& Not to Have) an Attorney on a Nonprofit Board

ByMark Goldstein April 15, 2008 Board Management

Because a nonprofit board’s success depends upon its gestalt as much as the traits of its individual members, boards should think a bit about the contributions an attorney might make.

HR and Employment Issues