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Donor-Advised Funds Background
This brief introduction to donor-advised funds (DAFs) accompanies the Blue Avocado article “Donor-Advised Funds: Non-Transparent Tax Shelters for Good.” In 1931, a New York community foundation created the first donor-advised funds (DAFs). But a …
Organizing the Board to Support the Revenue Strategy
Instead of focusing only on how board members can raise individual donations (or not!), think more broadly (and effectively) about how board members can support the key aspects of your organization's business/revenue strategy:In the quest for funds …
Comparing Cheap and Free “Donate Now” Button Services
Thinking about changing your Donate Button, or maybe getting one for the first time? Jenny Henry of Sumac Software has compiled this guide to online donation services that are quick and easy to use. But first, we hear from Brady …
Lucky 7: The Casino Industry and Philanthropy
In some states, casinos are required by law to give a portion of their profits to community foundations which, in turn, are required to grant it out as well as allowed to put a portion into their endowments . . . just one of the overlooked fundraising …
The Easiest Way to Raise Money: Register with CFC
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) guru Bill Huddleston tells how nonprofits can raise money from federal employees in just eight great points: 1. Why should I bother to read this article about the Combined Federal Campaign? Because i …
Eight Strategic Mistakes with Memberships
If you have members (whether those members fit the legal definition of member or not), chances are you’re making at least one of these strategic mistakes identified by Ellis Robinson. With striking clarity she points the way not only to bui …
Alcoholics Anonymous vs. Best Practices
This article about Alcoholics Anonymous is not about how they help alcoholics, but reviews their unusual management and organizational practices, which fly in the face of much conventional wisdom about what good nonprofit management looks like. As part …
How I Raised $1,000 on Facebook Without Breaking a Sweat
We at Blue Avocado want to encourage people to make use of Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking sites as more ways to support our communities. At the same time, there’s so much hype about these sites that we also want to demystify them and te …
The Car Donation Controversy and the Right Way to Donate Your Car
Why is there a slightly sleazy vibe around car donations? Could it be the tacky, misleading-sounding billboards posted around town? As one example to the left, the “Outreach Center” (see news report) is reportedly a for-profit car liquidation fir …
The 411 on Starting a Car Donation Program
Does your radio station advertise for car donations? Blue Avocado reader Eric Haynes knows all about it — his Kansas City nonprofit accepts car donations and he's here with the inside story and how – surprisingly – to make it work on a modest scal …
