Accountability

14 Important Dates to Circle on Your Nonprofit's Calendar
January 7, 2016 at 10:25 am

A typical nonprofit organization’s calendar is always full. Meetings, campaigns and other important dates. But which should take highest priority? Here are 14 important dates that you should consider circling on your nonprofit’s calendar. They will help you strategically plan throughout the year...

FBI Investigates Sacramento Nonprofit Involved in Adult Adoptions
January 7, 2016 at 10:20 am

Adult immigrants in Northern California are being adopted by American families with the promise of gaining U.S. citizenship, KCRA Investigates has learned. Hundreds of immigrants from Sacramento to Marin County are shelling out $5,000 to $10,000 each for the chance to be adopted. Behind it all is a Sacramento nonprofit called Americans Helping America Chamber…

Fundraisers, Don’t Turn 2016 Into a Disaster
January 7, 2016 at 9:57 am

We’ve been hearing about “El Niño” for months, and sandbags, K-rail and umbrellas have been in great demand. For fundraisers, there are possible El Niño “seasons” (deviations from the normal or expected patterns) year-round. We can’t predict them all, so always being ready for the unexpected has to be more than a cliché; it must be our typical operating mode...

The 5 Best Companies for Employee Giving
January 6, 2016 at 10:56 am

Corporate philanthropy is immensely important, and employee-giving programs are just one of the many ways that companies express their cultures of corporate social responsibility. There are many different ways for a company to craft its employee-giving program, but there are some amazing programs out there that companies can learn from...

Poison Carrot: Why Monetary Incentives Don’t Work
January 6, 2016 at 10:41 am

When I started my company 27 years ago, I had the idea that giving someone a gift would make that person do what I asked. If I dangled that carrot, the horse would go for it. Now I know that idea, when applied to humans, is just as insulting and wrong-minded as it sounds...

How to Be Your Nonprofit's No. 1 Fundraiser in 2016
January 6, 2016 at 9:31 am

The new year is upon us, and many of us have made a list of resolutions in an attempt to better ourselves in 2016. Some of these resolutions are personal, some are professional. Unfortunately, most of us are going to fail in our resolution attempts. An impressive 45 percent of Americans typically make a New…

5 Things We Learned in 2015 About the Future of Philanthropy
January 4, 2016 at 10:20 am

Philanthropy isn’t what it was 50 years ago. In fact, the sector isn’t even what it was last year. From the emergence of Silicon Valley philanthropy, to the growing influence of Millennials as social entrepreneurs, to new adventures in virtual reality—2015 took philanthropy on a ride that captured headlines and our imaginations. But this new…

Fundraisers, What Will Make 2016 Stand Out for You?
January 4, 2016 at 9:53 am

While I am not much for making resolutions, this is a natural time to think about how I would like to be different one year from today. Whether you view New Year’s resolutions as necessary or overhyped, here are a few things you can pick and choose from as you think about the impact 2016 will have on your career as a fundraiser...

Take Advantage of Mentors and Opportunities
December 30, 2015 at 11:34 am

“Sometimes opportunity knocks, but most of the time it sneaks up and then quietly steals away,” wrote columnist Doug Larson. I’ve found this to be true in my life and in my career as a nonprofit leader. Thinking back on my mentors, I realize I have a confession: Each one quietly offered me more than I took advantage of...

4 Signs Your Nonprofit Should Quit a Social Network
December 30, 2015 at 9:54 am

After a decade of embracing new social networks as they rise in popularity, in recent weeks it became clear that it was time to reassess the value of being active on so many social networks and to prioritize the social networks that most benefit Nonprofit Tech for Good. Each social network has its own unique…