Blogs2022-06-24T17:34:48-04:00

The TopNonprofits blog contains articles, stories, tips, and other helpful information for nonprofit professionals. Be sure to bookmark this page and join our mailing list so you won’t miss any new material added to this treasure trove of knowledge.

Our blogs are written by seasoned professionals with topics carefully selected and information referenced and curated to provide the best possible information available on the Internet. We’re always open to new ideas, suggestions, and contributions for content. Start learning by clicking on the selections found on this page. Contact us if you have any questions.

7 Reasons to Serve on a Nonprofit Board

It may sound a little self-serving, but there's an easy way to advance your career, get networked, while you're also doing good for others. Serve on a nonprofit board.   Of course, the primary reason you should serve on a nonprofit board is that you want to make the world a better place and you care about the cause. But, serving on a board and bringing your knowledge, energy, and [...]

Nonprofits and Data: You Can’t Know Too Much

This post was originally published on our sister site, Third Sector Today Jamey Heinze, Chief Marketing Officer at CDS Global, recently spoke at the 2014 Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference on the topic of how nonprofits can utilize certain marketing techniques more effectively than for-profits can. The full discussion can be found in a brand new white paper: “The Nonprofit vs. For-Profit Marketing Approach: Ten Techniques Your Organization Should Consider.” In [...]

The of Roots of Fundraising: How We Got Here

Let's take a look at the roots of fundraising.   Did the history of professional fundraising in the U.S. begin with the Village People? Not exactly, but the YMCA played a significant role.   The origins of America were ripe with fundraising, as the wealthy came to the aid of the new colonies, according to Philanthropy in America: A Comprehensive Historical Encyclopedia, Volume 1 (ed. Dwight Burlingame). The philanthropy gave the [...]

Proving ROI of Your Non-Viral Digital Campaign

This piece is based on the Proving ROI: Quantitative and Qualitative Measures of a Successful Digital Campaign workshop presented by Devon Hopkins and Leah Stern at NTEN's 2017 Nonprofit Technology Conference.   So you’ve successfully launched your most recent digital campaign. It’s catchy, it’s meaningful, and it’s got a pretty amazing hashtag. Sounds like you’re on your way to going #IceBucketChallenge-level viral, right? I hope so.   The Ice Bucket [...]

Brand & Creative Process Q&A with Keri Goff at DoSomething.org

Craig Van Korlaar (TopNonprofits): DoSomething is special. It is one of the youngest organizations in terms of age and audience in the Top 100 Nonprofits List, yet it ranks all the way up at #5. With me today is Keri Goff, the Creative Director and Producer at DoSomething.org. Preview of the Topics Covered Description of DoSomething.org's Brand Role and responsibilities of a Creative Director Keri's definition of Brand Brand Advice for [...]

5 Important Tips for Succession Planning

Succession planning for nonprofit organizations requires more attention. A CompassPoint and Meyer Foundation study in 2011 found that only 17% of nonprofits surveyed had a document detailing their succession planning. However, 67% of executive directors anticipated leaving the organization within the next five years. Further, the study found nearly a third of current directors (31%) had tenure of fewer than three years, which was more than the 27% of executives [...]

Planned Giving’s Role in Your Development Strategy: 6 Steps

Seeking out new revenue streams helps your nonprofit maintain healthy and diverse funding sources. Among these sources, planned giving has the potential to provide long-term, reliable support. However, compared to other fundraising strategies, its potential role in nonprofit development is often overlooked.  Regardless of the size, mission, or budget of your organization, planned giving should be a part of your development plan. If you have a strong donor base, solid [...]

Humans@Work: How to Successfully Tackle HR Challenges

JER HR Group has produced a delightful and informative curated paper tackling some of the most important—and challenging—HR issues facing leaders and HR executives today. David Moff, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, writes on how to best build trust between the HR team and employees in Jumping the HR Trust Barrier. John D. Wing tackles tough issues in Managing Political Activism in the Workplaceand Dr. Robin Kelley lays out Diversity, Equity & [...]

Capitalizing on Charity Auctions and Matching Gifts with Software

If your organization is hosting a charity auction, you’re likely wondering how you can raise as much money as possible during your event. Marketing matching gifts during the planning process and in post-event follow up is one way to do just that. But we’ll let you in on another little secret: so is using software. Both charity auction and matching gift software can help you capitalize more on the fundraising [...]

The real “challenge” of the Ice Bucket Challenge

This guest post is from Barbara Newhouse, Past President and CEO of the ALS Association and was originally published to the DonorDrive Blog. Many people are under the impression that some great marketing guru came up with the Ice Bucket Challenge. That’s not true. It started with three young men, all in their thirties—and all with ALS. They harnessed the idea of dumping cold water on one’s head, not so much as a [...]

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