How is a fundraiser to stay optimistic on the job with such negative press, and a collectively depressed North American community that seems positioned to tighten its purse strings? Some leading fundraising experts urge calm.
Seven steps to stabilize a personal financial situation.
Times are tough. Money is tight, cutbacks are on the rise, and employment is on the decline. How does a manager lead an organization through these difficult waters?
How do you develop (or revitalize) an effective and engaging stakeholder newsletter? How do you balance your organization’s ‘corporate’ messages with information your readers want to receive? The following tips will help.
An anemic economy closed out 2008, and if pundits and experts across the globe are correct, the condition may well worsen in 2009. Though stories of economic hardship are, unfortunately, hardly rare for the charitable sector, the end of the decade may prove to be one of the toughest in at least one area: recruitment of volunteers.
Our everyday habits can have a tremendous impact on our overall happiness. Here are ten ways to improve happiness that don’t cost a dime.
How to align employee goals with organizational goals.
We continue the discussion of disbursement quotas that began in Part 1 and explore such topics as how to calculate your disbursement quota, whether or not an accountant is necessary, how foundations amass large endowments, and the definition of “enduring property”.
Find out more about these disbursement quotas, what happens when a charity doesn’t comply with their disbursement quota, and how long-term projects fit into the equation.
With the economic downturn and tight resources, should staff reductions be considered?
Find out how the downturn in the stock market affects these types of donations from the perspective of both the donor and the charity, how the benefits that donors receive from such gifts differ from when the market is strong, and what a charity should do if they receive a gift of stock.
With the past emphasis on gifting appreciated securities, charities and their donors have forgotten that there can be advantages for donors to make a gift of depreciated securities as well.
In this issue of Lessons Learned, we explore the challenges nonprofit organizations face in trying to be accountable to both funder and client, which are not always in alignment with each other.
Organizations face a slew of competing voices, while governments – federal, provincial, and municipal – are overwhelmed with requests, lobby groups, and press material. So, what does one do to make the most of their government initiatives? And should they be extra vigilant today?
Are you dreading an upcoming work Christmas party? You're not alone. Follow these tips to make the night successful and bearable.
Explains why bosses may behave badly and offers tips on what to do and what NOT to do to avoid creating a toxic boss.
Reasons to fight for finding happiness at work.
How to host a successful conference: tips and tools.
In the best of times, many nonprofits struggle with donor acquisition, retention, and, worst of all, lapsed donors. Now, with the North American financial markets imploding from the sub-prime mortgage fallout in the US, experts predict that voluntary sector organizations will need to refocus on the communication that truly reaches their donor populace: sincere acknowledgment based on donor-centred principles.
Learn more about situations where third-party information may be requested, the impact of a charity’s privacy policy on such a request, as well as a charity’s liabilities with regard to the accuracy of the information they provide.
Regardless of your risk, depression is not inevitable. Here are some tips for preventing depression.
A look at all the possible consequences when chairs and board members are removed from their positions.
A review of three websites and how successful they are at engaging the reader.
A growing trend in philanthropy, giving circles occur when a group of donors pool their charitable dollars and make collective decisions about what causes to support. Giving circles can be an informal group of friends who meet in each other’s homes, or they can be quite formal with hundreds of members.
How to maintain financial stability in a recession.
This article explains how to follow the volunteer management cycle in difficult economic conditions.
In 2003, an innovative cross-country initiative was launched, bringing with it an important mission. Inclusive Cities Canada was a partnership of community leaders and elected municipal politicians working together to strengthen the capacity of cities, sustain inclusive communities, and ensure a diversity of voices reflecting all of Canada.
When a recession hits and donations are down, it's normal to worry about your job. Here are some tips to make it through the uncertainty.
A major push was begun last week with an initiative by Volunteer Canada that takes aim at the baby boomer generation – or, as they are increasingly calling themselves, the “Zoomers” – asking them to seriously consider the benefits of volunteering and not just retiring away once their previous careers are over.
Compliance agreements occur between charities and the CRA, often following an infraction. Find out exactly what a compliance agreement is, when the CRA might issue one, and what happens if a charity violates a compliance agreement.
What information should be shared with your employer when requesting a sick leave? And what if they turn down your request?
A look at a number of factors that can make collaboration in the voluntary sector quite difficult.
Article describing the role and symbiotic relationship of the board chair and executive director.
The psychology of increasing employee happiness.
In this edition of Lessons Learned we explore anxiety in the nonprofit organization with Jeffrey A. Miller, author of The Anxious Organization: Why Smart Companies Do Dumb Things.
Why learning is an important investment, especially in times of global change.
We take a look at the best ways to effectively determine return on investment (ROI) in relation to how much you may spend on PR and marketing.
Thinking about leaving your job to start your own charity? Read this article first.
Some advice for private sector workers looking at nonprofits for their next career move – how should you approach this shift?
Recent survey results show why board members volunteer.
Find out when a charity should communicate with the CRA Charities Directorate, best ways to contact the directorate, the role of the ombudsperson, and common mistakes when dealing with the directorate.
According to a new report, few nonprofits really understand the concept of social finance. We break it down for you in this article.
How to hold informational interviews with your employees to increase retention.
In the ultra-competitive world of charitable enterprise, the communications quest for donor dollars often takes a path that circumvents focus on the pocketbook and instead appeals to the area just behind the breast pocket: the heart.
When traveling overseas, what should ethical charities do to reduce their carbon footprint?
On the surface, the difference between a corporate and an individual gift might seem quite negligible. However, it is important for charities to be aware of the differences between these two types of gifts so that they can ensure they are meeting all of their legal obligations.
A case study of BrainTrust Canada’s new “Protect Your Head” social marketing campaign.
How does an executive know if a communications strategy is needed and how do they know what public relations can reasonably deliver?
How and why to maintain integrity of donor databases
This past June, the Centre for Social Innovation and Tides Canada organized a one-day event that explored the concept of shared spaces and shared service models.
