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

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

HR and Employment Issues

Ask Rita: U.S. Supreme Court Granted New Protection for LGBTQ+ Employees—What Do We Need to Know?

ByEllen Aldridge, J.D. August 19, 2020 HR and Employment Issues

Employers should update their EEO policies to include sexual orientation and gender identity/expression as protected classes.

Man on a laptop having an online meeting

Leadership and Management

Resiliency in the New Normal: Nonprofit Colleagues Share Their Experiences

ByCheryl A. Clarke and Karen Topakian August 18, 2020 Leadership and Management

When it comes to COVID-19, what is that new normal and exactly how are our colleagues adapting? Nonprofit leaders share their experiences.

woman placing sticky notes on a white board

Board Management,Leadership and Management

Creating a Roadmap to Synchronize the Board to Your Nonprofit Mission

ByJoe Hnat August 18, 2020 Board Management,Leadership and Management

How roadmaps can help nonprofits launch new ventures, break free from the status quo, and improve conditions for clients, staff, and donors.

a person looking at a tablet with graphs

Finance

Assessing Financial Health in the Time of COVID-19

BySuja Amir August 18, 2020 Finance

COVID-19 created significant economic challenges to nonprofits. Explore the unique characteristics of nonprofits’ financial structure.

HR and Employment Issues

Ask Rita: How Can I Deal with an Employee’s Offensive Social Media Post?

ByMike Bishop July 17, 2020 HR and Employment Issues

Ask Rita explores how nonprofit leaders can act when dealing with an employee making an offensive post on social media.

Fundraising

Investing in Relationships with Donors: 5 Phases of Securing a Major Gift

BySabrina Walker Hernandez July 17, 2020 Fundraising

Here are five phases of a major gift process to help you build relationships with donors.

group of business people sitting around a table viewed from above

Community and Culture

Seizing Social Capital to Empower Nonprofit Leaders

ByJanet Rechtman July 17, 2020 Community and Culture

Explore the role of social capital and discover key attributes and assets of social capital that nonprofits can use to their advantage.

Against the Current

Against the Current: Nihal Satyadev

ByBlue Avocado July 17, 2020 Against the Current

Interview with Nihal Satyadev of The Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s, addressing Alzheimer’s issues through innovation and advocacy.

Community and Culture,Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG)

Seeking Sustainability: How Can Nonprofits Survive the Pandemic?

ByRudy Espinoza June 19, 2020 Community and Culture,Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG)

A nonprofit is sustainable when it has built long-standing relationships with supporters that are fully committed to the mission.

HR and Employment Issues

Ask Rita: For What Work-Related Expenses Must I Reimburse Remote Employees?

ByMike Bishop June 16, 2020 HR and Employment Issues

When reimbursing remote employees, check state laws, whether the expenses are reasonable, and maintain good communication and flexibility.

brown wooden court gavel on white surface

HR and Employment Issues

The Truth, Even When Unpleasant, Can Always Be Explained: Nonprofit Pointers for Conduct in Court

ByRand Chritton June 15, 2020 HR and Employment Issues

A lie cannot be taken back. Offering a lie in place of the truth will always make things worse, rendering the claim or the case more costly.

Against the Current,Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG)

Against the Current: Jose “Che” Ramirez

ByJose “Che” Ramirez and Robert Egger June 15, 2020 Against the Current,Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG)

Activist Jose “Che” Ramirez shares some of his ideas about ending homelessness in America and taking on a system bent on holding folks down.

a group of people joining hands with a red heart painting on top

Community and Culture

In the Shadow of the Pandemic, Nonprofits Form Partnerships to Expand the Meaning of Healthcare

ByGayle L. Nelson, Esq. May 19, 2020 Community and Culture

Nonprofits in healthcare are expanding services to their beneficiaries through partnerships and collaborations.

Form 990 and a pen on top of the American flag

Finance

IRS Tax Form 990 [Deadline Extended]: How to File It, When to File It, and Why It’s So Important

ByBlue Avocado May 19, 2020 Finance

For nonprofits, filing tax form 990 is key to retaining tax-exempt status. Here are the key features of tax form 990 and how to file it.

Against the Current,Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG)

Against the Current: Eunice Lin Nichols

ByEunice Lin Nichols and Robert Egger May 19, 2020 Against the Current,Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG)

Interview with Eunice Lin Nichols, Vice President at Encore.org and campaign director for Generation to Generation, delves into bridging generational divides.

HR and Employment Issues

Ask Rita: During Covid-19, Do We Furlough or Layoff Staff?

ByEllen Aldridge, J.D. May 18, 2020 HR and Employment Issues

What’s the difference between a furlough and layoff? Learn what benefits to offer your employees when closing non-essential facilities during Covid-19.

Marble columns of the supreme court building, USA flag in background

Leadership and Management

How to Do Legislative Advocacy—and WIN

ByRachel Sumekh May 18, 2020 Leadership and Management

Tips to consider as you seek to engage your organization in advocacy from someone who’s walked the walk.

Email symbols overlaid on top of man typing on keyboard

Fundraising,Marketing and Communications

Communicating with Donors During a Maelstrom: Practical Wisdom on When, What, Who, How, and How Often

ByCheryl A. Clarke and Karen Topakian April 21, 2020 Fundraising,Marketing and Communications

Concerned about whether and how to communicate with donors? Use this checklist to ensure your donors stay connected to your nonprofit.

person in a suit sitting with a cup of coffee

HR and Employment Issues

2020 California Employment Law Update #2: Compensation

ByJeanine DeBacker April 21, 2020 HR and Employment Issues

California’s new rules and regulations impact compensation for employees and contractors — find out how in this 2nd part of our series on CA employment law.