recent posts block of academic news - American Nonprofit Academy

Letting The Community Know What Your Nonprofit Does!

The importance of nonprofits effectively communicating their missions and activities to the community, underscoring the importance to build awareness, foster collaborations, and secure support with Julia Patrick, CEO of the American Nonprofit Academy. The conversation looks into the reasons behind this need for improved communication and practical steps to achieve it, which ultimately promotes the nonprofit’s mission.

Julia explained that her motivation to address this issue arose from her experiences in distributing prestigious funding opportunities. She found that seasoned nonprofit professionals often lacked a comprehensive understanding of what various nonprofits were doing in their community, even though they acknowledged their positive impact. Co-host Jarrett Ransom adds that missions and programs can change over time, making it crucial for organizations to keep their communities informed about their evolving roles.

Julia introduced the concept of a “leadership list” – a curated database of stakeholders, opinion makers, community leaders, partners, vendors, and more. This list serves as an asset for marketing and communication, helping nonprofits stay connected with key figures in their community and share their stories effectively.

The interview also explored the role of board members and executive leaders in promoting the organization’s mission within the community. Julia encouraged the nomination of these individuals for community awards to raise the profile of the nonprofit and attract potential donors and collaborators.

Additionally, Julia discussed the significance of a fact sheet summarizing key impact metrics and fast facts about the organization. This sheet can be shared digitally, posted on the website, or distributed in print to help control the narrative and ensure accurate information reaches the community.

In a surprising twist, . . . . . . . . .

All Things Nonprofit Accounting! (Advantages of remote accountants)

Valuable insights into the evolving landscape of nonprofit accounting, covering costs, innovations, assessment, and the challenges and opportunities it presents.

Andi Fanelli McGunnigle is the Vertical Specialization Director at YPTC.com, where they assemble specialized teams to support over 1,400 nonprofits in 30 sectors. This Nonprofit Power Week episode begins with an intro to remote accounting and its impact on safety and security. Andi highlights the advantages of remote accounting, such as reduced physical vulnerabilities and secure digital tools like bill.com.

The conversation moves on to innovations in accounting, with Andi dispelling the notion that accounting hasn’t evolved. She emphasizes the role of technology in enhancing transactional work and providing transformational insights, and how nonprofits are increasingly embracing technology to improve their financial processes and data visualization, making information more accessible and user-friendly.

Next, they explore the costs associated with remote accounting and discuss different models, from fully remote to hybrid approaches. Andi explains that cost-effectiveness depends on the setup and level of personalization. They also touch on the importance of flexibility in staffing and how hybrid models allow for more client interaction, fostering better relationships.

This is an informative episode for nonprofits evaluating their accounting needs and wants. It concludes with a brief discussion on how remote accounting firms can effectively communicate with nonprofit boards. Andi suggests that having a knowledgeable representative from the accounting and finance department present at board meetings, either virtually or in person, can address detailed questions and ensure fiscal responsibility and highlight the importance to the board members understanding their fiduciary responsibility and ensuring they are aware of their . . . . . . . . .

Cost-benefit Analysis At Nonprofits

A discussion on cost-benefit analysis at nonprofits, highlighting the need for nonprofits to modernize their blueprints and adapt to the changing landscape by leveraging data and tech, directed by Angela D. Barnes, MBA, CFRE, the interim vice chancellor at Indiana University East. This insightful episode offers a fresh perspective on time management and cost-benefit analysis within NPO’s and charities, encouraging transparency and data-driven decision-making.

Angela emphasizes the importance of analyzing how individuals and teams spend their time. She suggests starting by listing tasks, categorizing them, and recording the hours spent on each. This exercise helps identify where time is being invested and whether it aligns with the organization’s goals.

The lively conversation jumps into how data can reshape decision-making within nonprofits. Angela shares a powerful example of an employee who discovered they were dedicating an excessive amount of time to an event that contributed insignificantly to their fundraising goals. Armed with data, this employee was able to advocate for change within the organization.

Angela provides practical advice on creating a task assessment spreadsheet, including columns for tasks, categories, hours spent, and recommended hours, which can help individuals and teams evaluate their work and pinpoint areas for improvement.

The episode touches on the benefits of automation, simplification, and integration in streamlining tasks and achieving greater efficiency. Angela suggests that organizations should consider conducting these assessments regularly and even provide data insights to new team members to help them navigate their roles effectively.

Hiring Nonprofit Accountants? (Where are they?)

The shortage of accountants in the nonprofit sector is discussed with Jerilyn Dressler, Director of Strategic Partnerships at YPTC.com (Your Part-Time Controller). Jerilyn highlighted the challenges nonprofits face in hiring and retaining accounting professionals, especially those with CPA (Certified Public Accountant) qualifications. She pointed out that many CPAs are nearing retirement age, and there’s a shortage of students majoring in accounting.

The conversation covers the differences between accountants and CPAs, with Jerilyn explaining that while CPAs handle annual financial statements, audits, and regulatory filings, accountants work with organizations throughout the year. She stressed the importance of having professionals with nonprofit-specific expertise, as nonprofit accounting involves unique rules and regulations not found in for profit accounting.

Jerilyn also shared statistics from the American Institute of CPAs, indicating that 75% of CPAs reached retirement age in 2020, contributing to the shortage. Additionally, she discussed efforts to attract younger talent to the accounting profession by highlighting the potential for technological advancements and AI adoption in accounting roles.

The conversation emphasizes the critical role of finance and accounting teams in nonprofit organizations, as they are involved in every aspect and decision-making process. Jerilyn encourages NPO’s to bridge communication gaps between departments and leverage their tech to streamline processes and attract and retain accounting talent.

This quick episode ends with Jerilyn sharing her personal journey into accounting, highlighting the versatility of an accounting career, suggesting it’s an attractive option for those considering a career change or just entering college.

The $25 Donor Experience Experiment! (Nonprofit failure?)

The experiment aimed to explore how nonprofit organizations interact with donors who make small $25 donations. The conversation highlights the importance of providing a positive donor experience to retain and engage supporters, offering insights and actionable recommendations for NPO’s and NGO’s to enhance their donor interactions, with James Goalder, the Partnerships Manager at Bloomerang.

James begins by explaining the research was initiated by a friend and colleague, who used to donate $25 to various organizations and track their responses. James decided to conduct a similar experiment but focused on national accounts, including Feeding America, Humane Society, Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Free Clinics, and Meals on Wheels.

The experiment involved James donating to 50 organizations in each category, across all states. He assessed the online donation process, including the ease of finding the donate button and the functionality of the donation forms. After donating, he evaluated the thank-you process, which led to several noteworthy findings.

James revealed that the donor experiences varied significantly among organizations. Some had streamlined and user-friendly processes, while others had broken links and frustrating experiences. He emphasized the importance of organizations reviewing their online donation process from a donor’s perspective and fixing any issues.

One significant discovery was that only 10% of organizations offered payment options other than credit cards, such as ACH bank draft, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or Venmo. James highlighted the importance of diversifying payment options to accommodate donors who may not have credit cards.

Furthermore, James discussed the impact of landing pages after donations. About 58% of organizations redirected donors to third-party pages, which . . . . . . . . .

Affordable And Creative Nonprofit Donor Stewardship!

Too many nonprofits prioritize acquiring new donors and overlook nurturing the ones they already have. The key to retaining donors? Consistent, multi-channel communication. It’s not enough to rely solely on emails and social media. The CEO of Productive Fundraising, Chad Barger, leads this captivating primer on donor stewardship. Chad emphasizes the power of nonprofits using physical mail, especially personalized die-cut postcards, which will stand out from the crowd at the mailbox and create memorable experiences for donors.

Board members also play a crucial role in stewardship. Chad suggests involving every board member, regardless of their fundraising comfort level, in this process. He shares brilliant strategies, like assigning board members to thank donors during events or having them make donor thank-you calls, which can lead to a significant 39% increase in future donations.

Chad’s advice doesn’t stop there. He encourages organizations to take donors behind the scenes, offering immersive experiences to connect them with the cause. Whether it’s a tour or hands-on involvement, these experiences create powerful connections.

Lastly, for donors who are more challenging to engage, Chad recommends using the power of our smartphones. He provides a fun example of personalized video messages directly from staff members which can be a game-changer in making donors feel appreciated and involved.

So, the key message: Don’t worry about being too small; worry about being silent when it comes to donor stewardship. Get creative, involve your board members, and use every tool at your disposal to delight your donors.

Turning Nonprofit’s Volunteers Into Donors

The topic of turning nonprofit volunteers into donors within the nonprofit sector by building meaningful connections with volunteers and using storytelling effectively with James Goalder, Partnerships Manager at Bloomerang. James begins by highlighting a surprising statistic: volunteers donate 10 times more than those who do not volunteer. He explains this phenomenon by emphasizing that volunteers directly witness the impact of nonprofit organizations in action. Their hands-on involvement creates a strong connection with the organization’s mission, making it easier to transition them into monetary donors. This connection is already established, eliminating the need for extensive persuasion.
The conversation dives into the motivations behind volunteering, highlighting various factors that drive individuals to offer their time and support. James discusses emotional, mental, and physical benefits, as well as the desire to give back to the community and fulfill civic duties. He encourages nonprofits to understand these motivations to better engage and thank volunteers, ultimately encouraging their continued participation.
Jarrett and James explore the concept of segmenting volunteers to tailor engagement strategies more effectively. They suggest categorizing volunteers based on factors such as donation history and capacity to give. By addressing these groups differently, nonprofits can successfully engage both volunteers who have not yet donated and potential major donors.
The importance of storytelling in volunteer and donor engagement is a key focus of the interview. James draws a parallel between the power of well-developed characters in stories and the impact of personal stories within nonprofit contexts. He encourages organizations to incorporate relatable characters and their experiences to enhance connection and engagement.

Nonprofit Associations And Your Nonprofit!

Nonprofit Associations play a crucial role in bringing people together and supporting various professional groups. They use technology, such as association management software, to manage membership, events, and other aspects of their operation efficiently.

Teresa Henderson, the Association Specialization Leader at Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC), discusses the unique challenges and innovations focusing on associations.

Teresa emphasizes that associations are adapting to changing times by combining in-person and remote activities. They are also looking to engage younger members and expand their reach, considering the regional and cultural differences in their approach.

To find the right association for your nonprofit, Teresa suggests looking for associations that align with your needs and values, and most importantly, assess their value proposition before joining.

Don’t forget to visit yptc.com for more resources !

Unlocking Digital Success At Nonprofits!

Harmonizing nonprofit’s technology with human behavior, fostering collaborations, setting targeted goals, and nurturing a culture of curiosity for nonprofits to effectively leverage technology for their missions, with Tim Lockie, the CEO of The Human Stack, discussing the intersection of technology and nonprofit organizations. The interview underscores the significance of Tim’s expertise revolves around helping nonprofits optimize their use of technology for meaningful outcomes and his engaging storytelling and relatable analogies make the intricate intersection of technology and nonprofit work accessible and actionable.
Tim introduces the concept of the “human stack,” emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between humans and technology to create a greater societal impact. He underlines that technology isn’t merely about the technical aspects but encompasses the behavior and culture of the people using it. Tim’s perspective is grounded in the understanding that while the technology stack relies on zeros and ones, the human stack’s foundation is built on the principles of belonging and social connection.
The conversation journeys into the challenges faced by nonprofits in adopting and navigating technology. Tim sheds light on the need for strategic leadership and tactical execution, likening it to a race where a strategic leader and a tactical driver must collaborate effectively to succeed. He emphasizes that the key is to align the energies and roles of these two individuals within the organization.
A central theme throughout the interview is the necessity of cultivating curiosity and adopting a learning mindset when approaching technology. Tim emphasizes that tech experience alone isn’t enough; fostering curiosity and creating a feedback loop are vital elements in driving positive change.
The discussion is punctuated by . . . . . . . . .

Planned Giving Trends You Need To Know!

Planned giving trends and issues that nonprofit organizations need to be aware of. The conversation, with Aquanetta Betts, the Director of Planned Giving at George Mason University, provides insights for nonprofit professionals and leaders looking to build more robust fundraising strategies.
Here are some of the key take-aways Aquanetta shares on this fast-paced episode include:
Planned giving is a process that involves three parties: the donor, the organization, and another entity (such as an advisor or attorney) working together to facilitate a gift. This type of giving often involves more complex transactions than regular donations and can be a significant source of sustainable funding for nonprofits.
Baby Boomer Impact: The great wealth transfer from baby boomers presents a huge opportunity for planned giving efforts due to the substantial assets involved.
Age Segmentation: Focus on age groups 60-75 for targeted planned giving efforts, as these individuals are considering retirement and financial planning.
Stewardship and Legacy Societies: Stewardship is crucial for maintaining relationships with planned giving donors. Legacy societies provide ongoing engagement for confirmed planned gift supporters.
Engaging Professional Advisors: Collaborating with financial planners, estate planning attorneys, and other advisors strengthens planned giving strategies.
Board Members’ Role: Engage board members in advocating for planned giving and possibly making their own planned gifts.
Asking for Planned Gifts: Initiate conversations about planned giving, making soft asks and repeating the message over time.
Bequest Intention Forms: Create simple forms for donors to indicate their intention to include the nonprofit in their wills, gathering key information.
Regular Communication: Maintain periodic communication with donors who expressed planned giving intentions.

The Keys To Nonprofit’s Investing! (Financial Stewardship)

Nonprofit’s investing and financial stewardship with Phil Waara, COO and Investment Advisor at GetEcio.com. The conversation covers a range of topics related to nonprofit investment strategies, the importance of having an investment policy, engaging stakeholders, and the need for financial transparency. Phil emphasizes the potential for nonprofits of all sizes to engage in investment planning, whether through board participation, specialized advisors, or cultivating a solid investment policy. He discusses the significance of aligning investments with the organization’s mission and how having a well-defined investment plan can help nonprofits secure their financial future and navigate unexpected challenges. Phil also touches on the value of donor engagement in investment planning, as well as addressing common misconceptions and concerns about investment complexity and fees. Throughout the conversation, it becomes clear that there is a considerable opportunity for nonprofits to explore investment strategies and plan for sustainable growth, even if they currently lack substantial assets. The conversation highlights the importance of education, collaboration, and forward-thinking in the realm of nonprofit investing.

Previous 1 2···36 373839 40 41 Next