Nonprofit Business Advisor

04/21/2020

The nonprofit resources website Charityhowto.com will host a webinar titled “How to Create a New Donor Welcome System for Your Nonprofit Using Your Website, Email, and Social Media” on May 13 and May 20 at 1:00 p.m. ET and 3:00 p.m. ET, respectively.
According to organizers, the average nonprofit loses about 59% of its donors each year, and some nonprofits lose as many as 90% of their first-time donors on an annual basis.
In response, nonprofits spend huge amounts of time and money getting new donors, but experts say it is more cost-effective to retain existing donors instead.
This webinar will teach attendees how to drastically improve their donor-retention rates with a simple donor welcome system that delights new donors, inspires them and increases their loyalty to their cause.
Among other things, attendees will learn:
 how to create the components of a new donor welcome system,
 how to use donor spotlights on their website to acknowledge donors,
 how to incorporate video through the donor welcome process,
 how to use marketing automation to create a short email welcome series and a review of nonprofit examples,
 how to use offline tactics to deepen relationships with new donors,
 how to capture and share the best stories that will inspire and delight first-time donors and
 how to host a new donor thank-a-thon.
Registration fees for this webinar are $87.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2vIrJ22.

During this nonprofit webinar, we will show you how to drastically improve your donor retention with a simple Donor Welcome System that delights new donors, inspires them, and increases their loyalty to your cause.

01/22/2020

The Corps Network will hold its 2020 National Conference Feb. 9–12 in Washington, D.C.
This annual gathering brings together national, state and local leaders in the fields of youth development, community service and the environment. According to organizers, attendees include roughly 200 directors and senior staff from service and conservation corps across the country, officials from federal agencies, representatives from philanthropic foundations, and friends and supporters of the corps movement.
This year’s conference theme is “Thrive: The Power of Community.” According to organizers, there is a sense of community among the young people that Corps Network members engage with; within the towns and cities they serve; and throughout the lands and waters they maintain and improve. At this year’s conference, attendees will examine the power their communities possess, the global and local threats their communities face and ways they can engage young adults authentically to sustain community health through service.
Fees for this event range up to $875.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/36SQeqq.

The Corps Network 2020 National Conference - Thrive: The Power of Community. Online registration by Cvent

12/17/2019

TD Bank has awarded over $3 million in grants as part of its second annual TD Ready Challenge, which aims to improve access to early detection of disease and disease interventions. In all, four winners were selected from about 380 entries for the Challenge. Each winning organization – the Fund for Public Health in New York City, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York, the Baystate Health Foundation in Massachusetts and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia -- will receive a $750,000 grant to fund clinical health solutions that focus on preventative efforts, such as screening, early detection and intervention innovations, with the aim of reducing the onset, development and severity of chronic disease and illness in traditionally underserved communities.
For more information, click the link below.

The TD Ready Challenge is an annual North American initiative that has up to ten $1 million (CAD) grants available to catalyze innovative solutions for a changing world. Recipients will be organizations that have scalable solutions that will help open doors for a more inclusive and sustainable tomor...

12/11/2019

The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance will host its annual Alliance Management Institute Jan. 5-7, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo.
According to organizers, the AMI is a capstone experience for students seeking the Certified Nonprofit Professional credential and is the only national conference expressly designed to prepare the more than 500 participating college students for a career in the social sector. The event draws upperclassmen, graduate students and professionals dedicated to building the capacity of nonprofit organizations, and features an array of educational workshops, networking opportunities and career development activities.
The purpose of the conference is to expose future social-sector leaders to a vibrant learning experience that promotes best practices, innovative thinking and awareness of the full scope of the sector.
Registration fees for this event range up to $550.
For more information, visit https://www.nonprofitleadershipalliance.org/institute.

11/18/2019

ASAE 2019 Technology Exploration Conference
The American Society of Association Executives will hold its 20189 Technology Exploration Conference Dec. 3-4 in Washington, D.C.
According to organizers, this event is tailored to the needs of an increasingly technology-driven community. Association CIOs, CEOs, technology professionals and other professionals with roles or interest in digital and mobile solutions will find the education, solutions and connections they’re looking for. Through real-world case studies and skills building, participants can jump-start their use of digitalization.
Sessions and workshops will include:
Mobile Members: How Smart Phones are Poised to Impact Association Membership and E-commerce.
Blended Data: The Third Wave of BI for Associations.
Collaboration Tools: Loving, Hating, and Embracing Them.
Get a Seat at the Table: Bring Tech to C-Suite to Achieve Digital Transformation.
Value-Based Digital Strategy: How Research, Measurement, and Experimentation Unlocks Impact.
Registration fees for this event range up to $1,599.
For more information, visit https://technologyconference.asaecenter.org.

Immerse yourself in the revitalized 2019 Technology Exploration Conference powered by ASAE, and get real-world experience from tech experts to drive your association forward.

11/13/2019

The Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action will hold its 2019 Annual Conference Nov. 21–23 in San Diego.
According to organizers, this conference aims to create a public conversation on, as well as opportunities for presenting research about, pressing issues and vital opportunities facing the voluntary or nonprofit sector. It is both a showcase for the best and most current research, as well as a seed bed from which new research is born. This three-day event includes two plenary sessions, over 180 panel and/or paper presentation sessions, a poster session and numerous opportunities for networking/idea sharing.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Nonprofits and Philanthropy in a Polarized World: Speaking Truth to Power and Using Power to Speak Truth.” Nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations and voluntary associations are inextricably linked to the economic, political and socially polarized world in which they inhabit. As scholars and practitioners, ARNOVA said, the sector must grapple with dualisms and the role of the sector to identify and ameliorate dichotomies, to champion successful bridging and bonding strategies, to courageously speak truth to power, and continue to advance missions and values for the common good.
This conference will explore questions such as how foundations can combat or contribute to economic, political and social divides; what role wealth as expressed through individual philanthropy can contribute to or mitigate polarization; what role should lesser-studied nonprofits, such as unions, have in a polarized world; and what role should cooperatives and other forms of social enterprise have in creating solutions.
Fees for the conference range up to $426.
For more information, visit https://www.arnova.org.

The Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) is a diverse community of scholars, educators, and practice leaders that strengthens the field of nonprofit and philanthropic research in order to improve civil society and human life.

10/23/2019

The Grant Professionals Association will host its 2019 Annual Conference Nov. 6–9 in Washington, D.C.
According to organizers, this conference draws over 900 grant professionals each year who gather for learning and networking opportunities where they exchange strategies, solutions, resources and more. By the end of the event, attendees are equipped with a year’s worth of support in their daily responsibilities as grant professionals.
The conference’s breakout sessions will cover a number of tracks, including:
 federal grants,
 consulting,
 evaluation and collaboration,
 prospect research and donor relations,
 professional development and communication strategies,
 grants management and budgets,
 personal growth and
 proposal development.
Specific session topics will include:
 “Prospect and Moves Management Tools for Grant Professionals,”
 “10 Steps to Becoming a Better Grant Manager: A Road Map for Federal Grant Success,”
 “The Big Fish: Planning, Launching or Propelling Your Mega Foundations Portfolio,”
 “Crash Course in DAFs: An Introduction to Donor-Advised Funds for the Nonprofit Professional” and
 “What to Expect for Federal Grants and Contracts in 2020 and Beyond.”
Registration fees for this event range up to $1,035.
For more information, visit https://www.grantprofessionals.org/conference.

10/17/2019

The Foundation Center will host a webinar titled “How to Choose the Best Consultant for Your Nonprofit” on Oct. 31 at 2:00 p.m. ET.
According to organizers, nonprofits of all sizes are looking to outside experts—consultants, trainers, coaches or freelancers—to help them solve their biggest challenges.
However, there are risks to hiring a consultant—money, time and reputations are often on the line, and while there are plenty of credentials and certifications in the consulting world, there is no guarantee the consultant you choose will be any good at the job.
In this webinar, attendees will hear from two practicing consultants with over 40 years of combined experience advising nonprofits to learn how to identify, screen and select the best consultants for the job, and manage the engagement to maximize results.
Registration fees for this event are $49 until Oct. 23, after which time fees will increase to $75.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2Hk14LP.

It’s a risky endeavor to hire a consultant: significant dollars, time and reputations are often on the line. Learn how to find, hire, and get great results from consultants, coaches, and freelancers.

06/17/2019

The Association of Fundraising Professionals will hold the 2019 Bridge to Integrated Marketing and Fundraising Conference July10-12 in National Harbor, Md.
According to the AFP, the Bridge Conference is the premier conference of, by and for fundraising professionals, offering attendees a comprehensive look at the latest strategies, techniques and innovations in direct response marketing and fundraising.
This year, more than 2,500 marketing and fundraising professionals from around the world and from every sector of the fundraising industry will gather for three days of dynamic keynotes, panels, workshops, networking and more.
Attendees will learn about the latest strategies, techniques and most current innovations in all areas of fundraising and marketing related to direct response; individual giving (major and planned giving); corporate giving and special events; and more.
Registration fees for this event range up to $795.
For more information, click the link below.

A record breaking 2,500+ fundraising and marketing professionals from around the world will gather for this premier conference! Join us, as the brightest, most creative and most world-changing fundraising and marketing professionals from every sector of our industry will gather for three enlightenin...

03/28/2019

End-of-year donations to The Salvation Army totaled $433.7 million thanks to the support of individual donors and corporate partners across the country, the organization said. The money, raised through the Army’s iconic red kettles, online, direct mail and 1-800-SAL-ARMY, will help The Salvation Army provide food, shelter and social services to more than 23 million Americans in need this year. Red kettles outside nearly 6,700 Walmart and Sam's Club locations across the U.S. collected $43.2 million, which contributed about 30 percent of the $142.7 million total. The Kroger Co. hosted Red Kettles at more than 2,700 locations across the country, raising a total of $16.2 million, or about 13 percent of the total. Red kettles at JCPenney stores nationwide raised approximately $2.1 million for the campaign, nearly 1,500 Walgreens locations raised $2.2 million, 550 Big Lots locations raised $728,000 and 90 Bass Pro Shops locations raised $600,000, the organization said.

Despite Turbulent Last Half of 2018, Americans Dig Deep for Those in Need

03/20/2019

The North American YMCA Development Organization 38th Annual Conference on YMCA Philanthropy will be held April 3–6 in Indianapolis.
This conference brings together NAYDO, in partnership with YMCA of the USA, YMCA Canada and YMCA Mexico, to inspire and strengthen the philanthropic culture of the YMCA.
According to organizers, the event will feature transformative keynote speakers, compelling educational sessions and valuable networking opportunities for attendees from across the YMCA organization.
Educational tracks are designed to cover the various critical aspects of YMCA financial development, including:
 Annual support.
 Capital development.
 Major and planned gifts.
 Board and volunteer development.
 Marketing and communications.
 Special interest topics that may not fit under the traditional tracks.
Registration fees range up to $1,000.
For more information, visit http://conference.naydo.org.

NAYDO, in partnership with YMCA of the USA, YMCA Canada and YMCA Mexico, inspires and strengthens the philanthropic culture of the YMCA.

01/15/2019

The IRS has set the 2019 optional standard mileage
rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating
an automobile for business, charitable, medical
or moving purposes.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2019, the standard mileage
rates for the use of cars, vans, pickups or panel trucks
are as follows:
• 58 cents per mile driven for business use, up 3.5
cents from the rate for 2018.
• 20 cents per mile driven for medical or moving
purposes, up 2 cents from the rate for 2018.
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable
organizations.
According to the agency, the business mileage rate
increased 3.5 cents for business travel driven and 2
cents for medical and certain moving expenses from
the rates for 2018. The charitable rate is set by statute
and remains unchanged from the prior year.
Taxpayers also have the option of calculating the
actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using
the standard mileage rates.
The agency noted that individuals and organizations
may not use the business standard mileage rate
for a vehicle after using any depreciation method
under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System
or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for
that vehicle. In addition, the business standard mileage
rate cannot be used for more than four vehicles
simultaneously.
For more information, the IRS notice can be found
online at https://bit.ly/2QLAGB1.

01/03/2019

The University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Sciences will host its 15th Annual Nonprofit Governance Symposium Jan. 24–25, 2019, in San Diego.
According to organizers, this symposium will highlight current best practices, lessons learned from the field and trends in effective nonprofit and philanthropic board leadership, as well as board recruitment and retention. The premise is that governing well is essential for strong nonprofits working efficiently and effectively to address critical needs in our communities.
The workshops and seminars use a combination of case studies and experiential and interactive learning approaches for participants to be exposed to best practices, hear lessons learned and gain valuable tools of the trade in good governance.

For more information, click the link below.

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10/31/2018

The Foundation Center will host a webinar titled "Rebooting Your Board Culture" on Nov. 8 at 2:00 p.m. ET.
According to organizers, board leadership isn't simply something an organization comes by. The best boards come from communities that take a long-term perspective and develop leadership as a sustainable resource while creating a high-performance culture that promotes effective leadership through teamwork and collaboration. This involves creating a collaborative culture and values, building organizational commitment, cultivating collective thinking and using a team approach to build sustainable board engagement and satisfaction, the center said.
This webinar will apply best practices of sustainability to the topic of board development and draw upon theories of organization behavior, guiding participants through a process that focuses on the different steps needed to build an effective board that is sustainable over the long term, including strategies for creating a collaborative board culture that delivers higher levels of productivity and satisfaction.
Registration fees for this event are $49 until Nov. 2, at which point the fee will increase to $75.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2xkFOQU.

This webinar guides participants through a process that focuses on the different steps needed to build an effective board that is sustainable over the long term, including strategies for creating a collaborative board culture that delivers higher levels of productivity and satisfaction.

10/17/2018

Computer software giant Microsoft Corp. and Blackbaud Inc., a leading cloud software company catering to the needs of nonprofits, have launched a joint venture, dubbed Integrated Cloud Initiative for Nonprofits, which aims to accelerate cloud innovation in areas that address critical market needs across the mission lifecycle of nonprofits. As part of this initiative, the companies have released their first jointly-developed software product, Nonprofit Resource Management, a purpose-built resource management suite optimized for the complex and differentiated needs of nonprofits.

The new initiative comes a year after the two companies announced an expanded partnership to digitally transform the nonprofit space, focusing on three pillars: Deeper integration between Microsoft and Blackbaud solutions; joint sector leadership initiatives that make innovation, research and best practices more accessible to nonprofits around the world; and a commitment to pursuing best-in-class nonprofit cloud solutions that bring together the best of both companies’ innovation.
As part of that mission, the Nonprofit Resource Management suite will address a major challenge facing nonprofit humanitarian groups: Operating without purpose-built technology to manage the complexities of distributing resources to the front lines at the right time. From managing the distribution of material goods to financial and human capital distribution, NRM will help nonprofits ensure accurate and efficient distribution of resources and integrates across core business processes, the two companies said.
For more information, click the link below.

Introduce first phase of initiative with jointly-developed Nonprofit Resource Management; addresses needs of nonprofits focused on humanitarian aid and relief Charleston, S.C. (October 10, 2018) — Blackbaud (Nasdaq: BLKB), the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good, and Micr...

10/16/2018

New research from donor-advised fund administrator Fidelity Charitable finds that donors’ commitment to giving remains strong in the wake of tax reform, with 82 percent of donors who itemized deductions on their 2017 taxes planning to maintain or increase their total giving by the end of 2018.
However, the firm said, its research also shows that these donors may not fully understand how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will impact their tax bills. Philanthropy and tax experts roundly expect the tax reform package to lead to fewer donations to charity, mainly because of an increase in the standard deduction that is expected to reduce the number of households itemizing their deductions to drop by some 60 percent. But according to Fidelity’s survey, more than half of donors -- 58 percent -- are still planning to itemize in 2018, even though itemizing may not be right for their situation. These findings suggest that many taxpayers have not thoroughly considered how tax reform might affect them personally, the firm said.
Further, the survey found that donors are largely unaware of strategies available to manage deductions and get the most out of their charitable giving. For example, just 30 percent of itemizers have heard of “bunching” their donations and deductions, which enable them to claim a larger charitable deduction in one year while still doling out the actual grant funding over multiple years to individual charities. That means some 70 percent of donors who have previously itemized their tax deductions have never heard of this strategy and could be missing out on ways to maximize their tax saving, Fidelity said.
For more information, click the link below.

We are the largest donor-advised fund in the US offering creative giving solutions and specialized services to best fit your financial strategy. Begin supporting your favorite charities and receive a tax deduction with one donation – that’s charitable giving made simple and smarter. Establish yo...

10/15/2018

Heading into the critical period of end-of-year charitable giving – which stretches from post-Thanksgiving Giving Tuesday events in late November and on through New Year’s Eve -- the American public has disaster relief top of mind, with some 48 percent of donors citing it as the one cause needing the most support this holiday season, according to survey data released by Classy, an online and mobile fundraising platform for nonprofits. The firm’s survey data show that despite a busy hurricane season and a summer filled with wildfires, Americans are still willing to open their wallets for disaster relief efforts, even those who have already contributed to Hurricane Florence relief and other similar efforts.
Another interesting note from the survey details the impact that the political environment is likely to have on end-of-year giving. According to the survey, while politics may be dominating the news cycle as the country gears up for the holiday season rather than divert their contributions to political parties and related organizations or individual candidates.
The survey also found that the donation experience plays a significant role in a donor's level of trust in an organization, as well as their likelihood to give. More than half of those polled (53 percent) prefer to give electronically, whether on a computer or mobile device, regardless of generation, and more than half of millennial and Gen Z respondents (54 percent for each) said if they can't easily donate to a nonprofit online or via mobile, then they will have less trust in how that nonprofit uses their funds.
When looking at motivations for giving, the survey found that personal or family connections to a cause, recommendations from social media influencers and ease of donating are all top contributors. On the flip side, more than 70 percent of survey respondents strongly or somewhat agree that they would be most discouraged from donating to a nonprofit if the organization received negative media coverage, Classy said.
For more information, click the link below.

Classy is your source for nonprofit fundraising ideas, marketing strategies, and the latest in technology, innovation, and trends. Find your inspiration here.

09/18/2018

A total of 29 philanthropists have pledged $4 billion over the next five years to combat climate change, marking the largest ever philanthropic investment focused on climate change mitigation.
The commitment, which was announced at the recent Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, represents a broad global commitment to accelerate proven climate and clean-energy strategies, spur innovation and support
organizations around the world working to protect air quality in their communities, according to organizations involved with the effort. Individuals and organizations taking part in the pledge include Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Kresge Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the McKinney Family Foundation, the McKnight Foundation and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, among others.
The group will focus on advancing affordable, low- and zero-carbon solutions to reduce the harmful emissions that cause climate change. The investments will support a vast array of strategies, with an emphasis on those addressing five key challenge areas—healthy energy systems, inclusive economic growth, sustainable communities, land and ocean stewardship and transformative climate investments.
The $4 billion commitment includes $600 million from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation announced in December 2017, as well as more than $3 billion in funding that has not been previously been announced. Much of this investment will support local organizations working on the frontlines of climate change. The funding will propel the expansion of successful local efforts to solve the climate crisis and allow those most affected by the climate crisis to shape the solutions to it, the groups said.
For more information, click below.

09/12/2018

New research conducted by American Century Investments shows that impact investing -- financial investments designed to generate a measurable, positive impact on society, while also providing potential returns–is growing in popularity, especially among the younger crowd.
ACI polled a nationally representative sample of more than 1,000 adults in July 2018 to better understand generational and gender-based attitudes toward impact investing. The results were compared to a survey the company conducted in 2016.
The appeal of impact investing reached 49 percent among 2018 survey participants, compared to 38 percent in 2016, the survey found. At 56 percent, Millennials find impact investing most appealing, followed by Gen Xers and Baby Boomers at 52 percent and 44 percent, respectively.
When asked about the importance of certain factors while making investment decisions, "return on the investment" was considered "somewhat or very important" by 86 percent of 2018 respondents, up from 81 percent in 2016. "Fees, risks and length of time money will be invested" also ranked high as considerations in both studies. "Impact on society," was selected by 54 percent of respondents in 2018, up from 42 percent in 2016. The response was most popular among Millennials (60 percent) and women (57 percent).
When presented with a broad list of causes that align with their personal values, a third (33 percent) selected "healthcare/disease prevention and cures" as a priority when making an impact investment. This cause ranked the highest followed by "environment/sustainability, improved education, mitigating poverty and alignment with religious principles." Other mentions garnering single-digit responses included "animal rights" and "veterans issues."
For more information on the survey, click the link below.

08/22/2018

Independent nonprofit rating organization Charity Navigator has announced it will now accept cryptocurrencies such as BitCoin and BitCash as charitable gifts to support its operations. Going forward, such donations will be processed by BitPay, a leading bitcoin payment provider, covering financial services, e-wallets, software, gaming and hospitality.

Just like the organizations it evaluates, Charity Navigator is a nonprofit organization, supported primarily by individual donors. The group said its decision to accept cryptocurrency is an indication that nonprofits are beginning to recognize blockchain as a viable channel for social investors to make tax-deductible donations using cryptocurrency.

"Cryptocurrencies provide a new store of value, and are just one of the many ways that blockchain technology enables data sharing with permanent record keeping across value chains," said Marie Wieck, general manager of BM Blockchain and Charity Navigator board member. "As a leader in trust and transparency in philanthropy, it's natural for Charity Navigator to support these new, innovative ways for donors to contribute," Wieck said in a statement.

For more information, click the link below.

Charity Navigator is the largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities in the United States providing data on 1.8 million nonprofits and ratings for close to 10,000 charities.