Blog Posts

December 31st, 2024

From Social Impact Architects: "Impact Culture: Impact is the bottom line of the social sector. A social sector organization with an impact culture is energized by data, curious to learn, takes deliberate action and embraces change. Based on where you are in the nonprofit lifecycle, walk through each checklist item and ask yourself or your management team to gauge how embedded these elements are in your culture"   Read the Full Checklist  

December 31st, 2024

From Bonterra: "In this resource, we dive deeper into what funders want based on insights from our most recent funder survey. These insights will help you enhance your reporting and ensure you are collecting the right information. You will learn the top funder decision factors, how to set your organization up for success with data collection and reporting, and how Bonterra can support this work and help you secure more funding."   Read the Full Article

Posted by Marisa Sires December 10th, 2024

From Marisa Sires with Impala: "At Impala, we’re dedicated to empowering fundraisers with smarter tools and deeper insights. This past month, we introduced a suite of innovative features designed to make your fundraising efforts more efficient and impactful. From customizable prospect lists tailored to specific goals, to AI-powered peer suggestions and refined match scores, these updates help you identify the best funding opportunities with ease.  Let’s explore what’s new and how these enhancements can transform your fundraising strategy."   Read …

November 14th, 2024

From the Environmental Protection Network: "Please share this information widely! And please sign up to receive these updates in your inbox every 2 weeks or so. Pro Bono Assistance for EPA Grant Selectees Working to Get to Agreement and Full Award with EPA If you have been selected for an EPA grant, congratulations! There are a number of pre-award requirements and milestones that you have to meet before you receive your final award from EPA. If you are in this …

Posted by Suzanne Smith August 14th, 2024

From Suzanne Smith of Social Impact Architects: "Our local, state and federal leaders need us, as experts in the industry, to help educate them on our issues. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to invite your elected officials to tour your facilities."   Read the Full Article  

Posted by Suzanne Smith August 5th, 2024

From Suzanne Smith of Social Impact Architects: "Advocates often spend time quizzing themselves on specific policy positions for their meetings with policymakers (whether elected, appointed or on staff), but knowing policy specifics isn’t enough to influence a policymaker. You must also convey those positions effectively. Whether communicating to a policymaker or a donor, advocates must be strategic about how they influence others to their side. Meetings are not just information exchanges – they are also “relationship-building” sessions. Establishing these relationships enables …

Posted by Suzanne Smith July 31st, 2024

From Suzanne Smith of Social Impact Architects: "There are many reasons to start advocating now for the issues that are important to you and your organization. Whether you are energized to ensure nonprofits and social entrepreneurs get access to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, provide relief to millions impacted by natural disasters, or improve infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, advocacy must take center stage as a key priority for your organization. We have argued its importance in past blogs, …

Posted by Suzanne Smith July 24th, 2024

From Suzanne Smith of Social Impact Architects: "In our great democracy, advocacy provides us with the opportunity to affect positive social change on a wider scale than any individual organization can achieve on its own....we explain why advocacy is a critical tool for helping your clients and give you the confidence and foundational knowledge to add advocacy to your strategy moving forward."   Read the Full Article  

March 28th, 2024

From the Environmental Protection Network: "As selected EPA grantees work toward signing their cooperative agreements with EPA, there are a number of pre-award milestones to be met, as well as requirements for project implementation. Below are some helpful resources to fulfill those requirements. Please be aware that this is a living breathing page, and your feedback on the current resources and suggestions for additional resources are welcome. Please send an email to kathy.pope@environmentalprotectionnetwork.org if you have recommendations."   Read the …

Posted by Suzanne Smith January 31st, 2024

From Suzanne Smith of Social Impact Architects: "The idea that nonprofits can’t lobby is one of the most pervasive myths within the sector. As your resident “Social Mythbuster,” I am seizing this opportunity to set the record straight. The answer is YES, nonprofits can lobby, albeit with a string or two attached. While the Johnson Amendment does restrict nonprofits’ ability to engage in direct partisan activity, e.g., endorsing or contributing to political candidates, it does not restrict their ability to …