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.

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.

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.

Is There Anybody Out There? Navigating the Challenges of Managing Hybrid Work Teams

Remote work is the new normal. Be sure your nonprofit’s managers and executives are equipped to successfully lead remote and hybrid work teams.

From Startup to Success: Guiding Nonprofits with Six Core Principles of Improvement

Six core principles, drawn from STEM education, can help new nonprofits assemble a diverse team, raise funds successfully, and learn to use the gathered resources for strategic growth.

Rethinking Perpetuity: Resetting Endowment Expectations After the Pandemic

With endowments, let’s rethink ‘forever’ and explore new, flexible ways to ensure your nonprofit organization’s longevity and effectiveness.

Advocacy Amplified: How Nonprofits Can Garner State Legislative Support for Their Causes

How nonprofits can overcome the complex legislative landscape to effectively lobby and pass laws that serve their communities.

Volunteering Alone Will Not Save Us

To fight the battle against hunger, nonprofits can advocate for meaningful change in our societal structures.

The Year of Three Executive Directors: Important Lessons for Board Management

One board member’s personal trials and triumphs of serving on a board, including invaluable lessons that every board member can benefit from.

We May Be a Motley Crew, But We’ll Adapt to You: 8 Tenets of Holistic Community Engagement for Nonprofits

A tale of transformation and innovative thinking from Motley Zoo Animal Rescue, which shares the lessons they’ve learned and how they overcame obstacles to create a sustainable, community-focused animal rescue system.

Join the Movement: Activating Nonprofits for Lasting Change

Why nonprofits, particularly those supporting marginalized communities, must become active players in the landscape of advocacy.

Growing the Roots of Consensus in Nonprofit Governance

Why nonprofits that embrace a consensus-based decision model can enhance services, adapt to change, and make a lasting impact.

7 Things Nonprofit Leaders Can Say to Funders to Effectively Manage Limited Resources

Seven things nonprofit executives can begin saying to set boundaries with funders and say no without consequences.

A Beginner’s Guide to Filing a Form 990 for Your Nonprofit Organization

For nonprofit organizations, filing a Form 990 can be overwhelming and confusing, especially if it’s your first time. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about filing a Form 990, including six steps to take before, during, and after transmitting your form to the IRS.

How Nonprofits Can Benefit from Embracing ESG Practices

By expanding ESG efforts and communicating them effectively, nonprofits can engage new audiences and achieve greater impact. This article discusses how nonprofits can document and communicate their ESG impact and provides five steps to get started.