NonProfit Pro

Nonprofits that choose the right software can improve upon many business processes, including communication, record keeping, marketing, fundraising, financial reporting and more. According to a 2015 Software Advice research report, for example, 99 percent of professionals surveyed say their use of fundraising software positively impacts the number of donations their organizations collects—and 98 percent say it has a positive impact on overall record keeping, reporting and workflow efficiency.

Many types of applications fall under the umbrella term “nonprofit management software,” supporting a variety of different organizational processes. Here are some of the most common applications.

Often, I find that my clients have spent a lot of time and effort soliciting really nice gifts like airline tickets, cruises, gift cards and the like. And they have been using these gifts to reward fundraisers. They strongly believe these gifts are great and that people fundraise to get them. What do you think about that?

For those who have donated via crowdfunding sites, 45 percent have given to an individual person in need, compared to only 22 percent who have given to a charity like the Red Cross, or 20 percent who have given to social causes like homelessness.

By contrast, Americans who donate via any channel say the single channel they are most likely to donate to is a charitable organization (25 percent) compared to 17 percent who prefer to give to individuals.

GoFundMe now dominates the crowdfunding space, with 41 percent of Americans aware of the site.

Recent tweets on social media for nonprofits (#SM4NP).

One of the (several) things I enjoy about teaching fundraising courses at a couple of universities is the opportunity to explore fundraising with people who have little or no experience in the field. Things I take for granted and view as "just the way things are" suddenly appear in a different light. Students ask, "Why?" and I'm challenged to think back to when I was new in the field and remember the reasons.

The word "business" conjures up visions of overweening corporate greed rather than the requirement that all—ALL—viable organizations must have a working business model with stable positive revenue flow.

For 15 years, the Livestrong Foundation rode Lance Armstrong’s success as a professional cyclist to the top of the nonprofit world, becoming a $500 million global brand at its peak.

The superstar athlete’s dominance in cycling brought Livestrong tons of positive publicity, well-funded business partners and a platform that allowed the Austin-based nonprofit to broadcast its message of fighting cancer to the world. For example, the group’s iconic yellow wristbands—a partnership with Nike—have reached 87 million people since they were first produced in 2004.

But beginning in 2012, when the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency accused Armstrong of doping...

A man dressed in jeans and a rumpled shirt walked into the lobby and asked to see the executive director. Thankfully the receptionist greeted him and found the executive director who was willing to go out and greet the plainly dressed visitor. It is a good thing she did—he proceeded to give her a check.

Recent tweets from folks you should follow.

(Press release, April 14, 2015) — Independent Sector announces that the 2014 estimate for the value of a volunteer hour is $23.07—a 52-cent increase from 2013, up 2.3 percent from the previous year.