Running a Nonprofit

With a brand-new feature included with every Firespring website, you can now ask donors to cover the small transaction fee associated with online donations. This extra charge is simply added to your donor’s gift when they check out.

Data visualization refers to the organization of data into a visual format. Simple as that! It allows board members and other non-technical professionals to easily digest what your data means using graphical and pictorial elements.

There are about as many ways to engage donors as there are donors—here are 15 ideas to get your wheels turning. They’re all a little different, but the one thing they all have in common is none involve asking for money.

You may be wondering: How do I start using social media analytics? What tools should I use? Which metrics should I measure? If so, stick around because we’ll answer those questions shortly.

Looking for a little attention? Let’s take a quick look at the basics of influencer marketing, how it could benefit your nonprofit organization and five simple ways to help you begin locating influencers.

Want to grow your donor base? With our new social share buttons, each time someone makes a donation on your website, they can let their networks know with a click by sharing their recent activity.

Ever wonder if you’re wasting your time on social media? Is anyone even paying attention? Quit wasting time and learn what social media analytics is and why it’s vital to the overall health of your nonprofit.

Summertime is a busy time, which often means volunteers don’t have the time to commit to serving anymore. Fortunately, there are six ways you can keep volunteers inspired and engaged throughout the entire summer.

Some experts estimate that as many as 90% of nonprofits fail to register in one or more states even though, technically, state laws require them to do so. Here are 10 things about fundraising registration you need to know.

To get your wheels turning, we’ve come up with 20 unique promo products people would be stoked to pick up at your next event, conference or fundraiser. Here are some fun ways to get your swag on.

So, you know you should be blogging. But, who should actually do the blogging? Let’s examine the pros and cons of when to in-house your nonprofit’s blog and when to outsource it instead.

Stories can inspire, educate and motivate people to support your cause—if presented well. Follow these 10 guidelines for telling a story that supports the message you want the world to hear.

No doubt the words “net neutrality” have been on your radar for months now. The topic has been in the news since the FCC voted last December to repeal the 2015 net neutrality regulations.

It’s important to position yourself as a safe and trusted organization. Your privacy policy cannot be an afterthought—it needs to be prominent and written so the average user can understand it without hiring a lawyer.

Let’s start with the good news. Under the prior law, taxpayers could not deduct more than 50% of their adjusted gross income in charitable contributions. The new law increases this limit to 60% for those who itemize their deductions.

Ever have those days when it feels like your brain is working on overtime? Here are eight easy ways nonprofit professionals can recharge, refocus and preserve your sanity, even before you hit your evening commute.

Words matter. Turns out, some words—which may seem innocent enough—can be detrimental to raising money for your cause. Let’s look at these six words your nonprofit organization uses that drive donors away.

Smart nonprofits know that a young adult who becomes engaged today could contribute thousands of dollars over their lifetime. The question is, how do you attract this generation & get them to connect emotionally?

Sexual harassment scandals have rocked high-profile organizations like the Humane Society and the Red Cross in recent months, and are shedding light on how the #MeToo movement is clearly not just a Hollywood issue.

As a nonprofit organization, your mission statement is a valuable component of your purpose. Is it time for your organization to reevaluate your mission statement? We’ll explore the why, when and how of changing it.

What are some misconceptions society might have about nonprofit organizations, & what can your nonprofit do to better inform outsiders on those myths? Fear not, these misconceptions are simply that—misconceptions.

Establishing a board of directors sets a foundation for the future. Diversifying your nonprofit’s board means more than having a good mix of people—it means taking intentional steps toward diversity in your leadership.

Nonprofit collaboration allows various organizations to join together and make even bigger strides in bettering their community and improving the world. Here are seven major benefits of nonprofit collaboration.

We design, print and mail year-end appeals every year, and we know the pressure facing nonprofit pros. We recommend you focus on these four things for appeals that, well, appeal.

Networking builds relationships between individuals, businesses and yes—even nonprofit organizations. So why are building these relationships important? Consider these five notions about the value of networking.

When your nonprofit uses surveys to reach out to potential and current constituents, you gain insight into what supporters look for and the success of your programs. Because what can be measured can be managed.

How can you walk the line of gently—but honestly—telling constituents exactly what you need from them? Today we dive in and learn the art of asking for what your nonprofit needs starting with your organization’s story.

If you’re interested in growing professionally but your nonprofit doesn’t have the funds to support continuing education, no worries—here are ten ways you can keep learning and growing without forking over loads of cash.

Many companies want to give back to their communities for a variety of reasons, and they often look for nonprofits to partner with. Your organization could be the perfect one for a business or corporation in your community.

How can your nonprofit organization make sure the staff and volunteers feel supported as well as appreciated? When it comes to caring for mind and body at work, protecting yourself and your staff becomes essential.

The key to attending a conference is to get the most you can out of each event. Here are five ways to get more than just some cool swag out of your next conference while investing time & energy and engaging with strangers.

A lot of gray area exists when it comes to controversial topics. What can your nonprofit say or not say? Should your nonprofit even get involved? Learn about some of the pros & cons that can come along with taking a stand.

Instead of waiting to defend your cause, telling and showing your audience the facts and scientific evidence before they are bombarded with false information can help prepare them to dispel any fake news they may come across.

College students are eager and ready to not only give you ideas to help you grow your nonprofit, but learn things from you as well. Here are a few benefits that come with working with universities to get marketing help.

Whatever voice your nonprofit organization adopts for messaging, here are some best practices for communication. Follow these to connect with your constituents. It plays a significant role in how people view your charity.

Have you ever thought about writing a book? Writing & publishing has never been easier. It’s not an overnight venture, but it isn’t as difficult as you may imagine thanks to self-publishing, e-books & on-demand printing.

The United States has more than 1.6 million nonprofit organizations. There are many sub-groups under the nonprofit umbrella, if you’ve ever considered starting such an organization, it’s good to know a about what they are.

Every national, state & local election has the potential to impact communities & nonprofit organizations. To best prepare for what’s ahead, there are some things you can do to be proactive to protect your nonprofit’s interests.

It can be easy to let your nonprofit board fall to the wayside and become stagnate. How can you get your trustees more involved? Here are some ways to motivate and engage your organization’s board of directors.

Social media provides an opportunity for brands to express everything from outrage to sympathy when innocent lives are lost and terrible things happen to good people—should you add your voice to the crowd or be silent?

It’s more important than ever that your communications be consistent in both look & feel. You want your audience to identify your brand at a glance & recognize your voice quickly, or you may get lost in the crowd.

Organizational meetings may be considered necessary, but what if you could make them a force for good? Some workplaces have taken steps to up the value of their meetings & get their team excited about gathering together.

Believe it or not, the overhead myth still exists, and people who donate or are thinking of donating still scrutinize nonprofits organizations, wondering what percentage of their gift actually goes toward the “cause.”

If you’ve considered starting your own nonprofit organization, you should know Firespring has your back—we’re in the business of equipping nonprofits to carry out their mission and spread the word about their cause.

When it comes to raising funds for your nonprofit organization, successful fundraising events provide a substantial contribution. Following these tips to help your events run smoothly, gain constituents & raise donations.

With how much work it takes to attract dedicated volunteers, what can we do to ensure they keep coming back? Here are three simple things you can do to make a great first impression and increase volunteer retention.

The line between nonprofit organizations and for-profit corporations used to be very clear. With the rise of benefit corporations and Certified B Corps, the two worlds are melding together now more than ever before.

Volunteers play a critical role in event success and regular programming for nonprofits. Developing a strong volunteer management process can enable your organization to make a bigger impact on your community.

An effective mission statement is even more important now than ever. When you consider writing (or rewriting) your nonprofit’s mission statement, please make sure to remember to keep these three elements in mind.

Even if you’ve done enough fundraising to feel comfortable soliciting money, there’s still something about “the big ask” that can cause a few butterflies. Before you reach out to your donor, ask yourself these three questions.

Personas are not something you create for the outside world—they’re a tool you use behind the scenes to understand your target audience and how to motivate them to support your organization. Here’s how to begin.

Whether you’re starting a nonprofit or in the process of rebuilding your board, choosing the right board members is crucial to your success. Let’s look at the who, what and whys of putting together your board of directors.

When nonprofits use storytelling, it illustrates progress and serves as a public declaration of identity. In 2015 at my literacy nonprofit, I learned four ways storytelling greatly helped our program improve and succeed.

Marketing can convince someone to give you a donation; branding will determine whether or not that person becomes a donor for life. Here are four reasons most nonprofit organizations go through a rebranding process.

Each nonprofit has a unique culture, but if you don’t take intentional steps to create a culture you want, you may end up with one you don’t want causing attrition. Purposefully create the right culture with these eight steps.

Try as you may, it’s impossible to please everyone—there will always be people who issue a complaint about your cause or organization. But this doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Here’s the upside to having online critics.

Even if you feel like you’re doing all you can to earn your donors’ trust, there may be a few simple steps you can take to go the extra mile. Here are five ways to instill confidence and make your constituents proud to support you.

One of the most powerful marketing tools for nonprofits is a great story. Follow these five simple guidelines for finding a story that not only engages and inspires, but also supports the message you want the world to hear.

In planning for your next big giving season, it’s easy to forget the volunteers who provide vital services and bring passion to your nonprofit. Here are three tactics to show volunteers their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.

Positioning yourself as a thought leader means when you share your views on issues you champion, your opinions are taken as authoritative and influential. Here are three items to focus on regarding thought leadership.

Content marketing gives your nonprofit a voice in the noisy online world. The question is, does your audience recognize it? The voice that you write in plays a significant role in how people view you.

Company culture isn’t just for startups and businesses; it’s a fundamental part of every nonprofit’s DNA. Your culture helps to define your brand and, in part, determine the type of people who should be part of your organization.

Like it or not, what other people think about you matters. While you can’t prevent negative reviews, you can take control of your brand’s online rep.

Most great stories begin with “once upon a time” and end with “happily ever after,” because every good story captivates its audience, takes them on an unforgettable journey and leaves the reader with a sense of closure and satisfaction—and your nonprofit’s approach to storytelling shouldn’t be any different.

You might be surprised to find out that Google, the mother of all search engines, has a program specifically created for nonprofit organizations. Google for Nonprofits includes a free membership and access to Google Grants, which provides nonprofits with $10,000 per month to advertise on Google.com.

We hear the term “thought leader” thrown about often, but what does it really mean? Here’s a definition I like: Someone whose views on a subject are authoritative and influential.

For International Grant Professionals Week we’re giving a shout-out to celebrate the work of grant professionals who serve as administrators, consultants, managers, grant makers and writers for nonprofits worldwide.

This fallacy has cost far too many organizations too much money. It’s based on misdirected thinking that says you should make marketing decisions based on cost, not on value, and focuses on the price tag, not the return on investment.