Is it difficult or stressful? Do you enjoy it or find it interesting? Do you have good work life balance? Good pay? Is it a highly social/collaborative role? Wondering if this career is worth pursuing. Anything else you could add is much appreciated. Thanks!

Is there a way to have people submit pictures to the umbrella organization other than Facebook or email? Often pictures are too big to send via email and many people are moving away from social media.

I have been implementing Quickbooks online in the nonprofit space as a volunteer since I retired from implementing larger accounting systems such as SAP in the for profit space. I found a great book by Kathy Ivens called "Running Quickbooks in Nonprofits" and I have recommended it often over the years. Unfortunately, it was written for QB desktop but it describes the industry standards in using QB to resolve the reporting issues for nonprofits. I am looking for a similar book for Quickbooks ONLINE. and nonprofits and I am hoping for a recommendation. To be clear, I consider myself an expert in this space but I am looking for a reference for people who are not. Thanks

Non-US, ~USD23m, 500 headcount, social services

I have a corporate background and this is my first nonprofit job. My portfolio is primarily fundraising, with some marcomms and PR work. I’m pretty new to the organisation and have been looking at gaps that I can fill - one happens to be a complete lack of a formal lapsed donor outreach strategy. Tbh I was pretty shocked when I discovered this because to me that’s just leaving money on the ground.

So far I’ve been making calls to gather some basic feedback from lapsed donors. The group I’m reaching out to have made multiple donations in the past but have not given for at least 2 years, I’m contacting a random selection from >$10k pa donors, $5-10k, $1-5k and $500-$1k.

How does your org segment lapsed donors and what kind of formal lapsed donor strategy do you apply? Just trying to get some ideas so I can put together a plan. Again, very new to being employed in this area (though I have done volunteer fundraising for smaller charities) so I would appreciate any advice.

I started working with a super valuable nonprofit in a small town (less than 10,000 people, about an hour drive to nearest city with more than 30,000 or so) in a Midwest state.

The community at large doesn’t have a ton of money or industry. There are some larger organizations but none of the big corporations with big funding programs.

The nonprofit is a resilience hub community center with a soup kitchen, community center space (hosts AA, various congregations, etc), community fridge/pantry. We have a goal of turning even more into a resilience hub for disaster preparedness and recovery because there is very little around here in terms of shelters.

We do have support from the local government, but the council is part-time, barely paid.

How does one acquire more funding? We get 95% of our support from individual donors and the occasional one off local grant, but we don’t have a lot of success with national grants. A lot of organizations we aren’t a qualifying state or they only help the communities they serve.

Would love support because we are at a breaking point for keeping the doors open after 2 years.

Hello all,

I am taking my CFRE test on June 12th and to say I'm nervous is an understatement. I've been reading the Achieving Excellence in Fundraising and plan on taking the practice exam when I'm finished with the book to figure out where my gaps are.

I've been in the industry for 10 years between peer to peer and event fundraising, some annual giving, fundraising program oversight, and major gifts. I also sit on my local AFP board and have been overseeing the membership committee (may or may not be applicable).

I was looking into reddit for some advice on what other things I can do and came across a comment of someone that participated in the AFP CFRE Refresher Course. I see one coming up and it looks like they have open registration, but before I drop $400 on this, I'm curious if anyone else has taken it and if it was beneficial for them. If the course was cheaper, I'd just do it, but it's a big commitment.

Thank you!

My biggest fear is retaliation after leaving for scathing honesty. I'm not too concerned about bridges with my managers, as I'd never ask them for a reference. However, I suppose I wouldn't want to completely burn bridges with the org and co-founders themselves. Advice, please, good people! Thanks!

Considering removing my supervisor from LinkedIn as well after my departure. Too paranoid?

I’m on a national board and the chair hired her friend as a consultant without the proper procedures being followed. The procedures are practiced but not in the bylaws. The NGO is registered in NY. Other than being grossly unethical, is it illegal?

Hey all! I'm not a regular poster so hopefully I'm in the right place. For context I'm in the UK and basically I did some volunteering at an arts charity that was originally only online a couple of years back when I started my degree in marketing. The founder was super lovely and I stopped volunteering to focus on my studies. I'm just about to graduate with my degree and I'd actually had the opportunity to do a project for one of my units on a charity of my choice, so I chose theirs and thought it would be nice to send along so I mentioned it to the founder I'd been in contact with before when volunteering, and they were interested but I think it was a bit busy so for one reason or another I didn't end up sending it then - so about a year later I got an email from them asking me how I was and to send along the proposal. I did, they loved it, we had a phone call and they offered me a 3 month contract to run marketing and comms for a new project that would launch July.

I'm super ecstatic but not sure what my fee should be - I asked about their budget and they said they had no idea (they're a very small team). The job description sounds like marketing manager as I will be designing and helping them deliver a campaign. It's my first job and it would be hybrid as well, but I just got back from my first meeting with them and they've paid for my hotel and food (and booked the next trip). I want to maintain a good relationship but not sell myself to short. I was thinking of charging a project rate as it's a very clear cut 3 month project and I thought that would be better overall for them to know the budget straight up.

Based on some research and talking to people I know, a typical day rate for a marketing consultant looks like £200 (correct me if I'm wrong). Which I'd be willing to drop down (not sure what to) considering this is an opportunity for experience and I really love their mission and want to have a good relationship with them for potential future projects.

However, I don't know how to translate that into a project rate as I don't know how many days I would be committing to it and I guess I'm highly aware of how nervous I am to ask for a large sum of money and also how naive I am about all of this. So I just wanted to see if anyone had any advice for me! :)

We received more money than the event needed from corporate sponsors.

Ethically, can we use the money for programming or do we have to give it back?

I am starting from scratch for building corporate sponsorships.

I have done them for nonprofits in the past for events but where I am doesn’t have big events for that to be an option.

Is there a way to get corporate sponsors for general programming? Would this still go through the marketing department? What are the types of packages you would offer?

Hi fellow fundraisers. I am the one who posted about the board member who yelled and cursed at me and the 60-80 hours a month with no flex or comp time at my current org.

Today I accepted a Director position with an amazing org, making considerably more than my current job. This position allows me to take full ownership of fundraising with no micromanaging. I am so excited and wanted to share some good news here!

I am loving this board and appreciate all of the helpful insight that this group provides. ❤️

So I wanted to start a foundation and have a few DBA charity’s underneath the foundation umbrella. So I created an LLC for the foundation (legal zoom asked what kind of entity and I chose non profit, didn’t realize they couldn’t be one and the same). I was trying to research how to apply for 501(c)3 for the DBA charity and that’s when I realized that I messed up. There is so much information online but I don’t know what the right way to go about getting the DBA charity up to code so I can file for the 501(c)3 exemption status. Does anyone know how to help me fix this? My state does allow LLC’s to operate as nonprofit but it seems a lot more complex.

Just curious if it’s normal for an org to forbid employees from attending board meetings, know the agenda, or see the minutes? We have no idea what goes on there, and several important policy changes occurred where employees were blindsided by the changes approved by the board that we didn’t even know were up for discussion or able to give input about.

When should the nonprofit hold insurance?

At the moment we have an article of incorporation, EIN, Legal Land agreement, Business Plan, waiting on 501c3 status, First Board meeting on the books, we have no employees, no funds, the board members are donating their time and funds.

I think we are about a year out before we hold any fundraisers. I think the first year will be getting our toes wet in grant writing and cold calls.

Should they have this from day one, or come back to this when they can afford it with the nonprofit's funds?

I recently filed for IRS tax exemption. For those who have started a nonprofit in CA, is it typical to wait for the IRS determination letter and file the 3500A, or just fill out the 3500? I suppose my concern is how long it will all take, and if its mostly the same information, should I just do the 3500?

Thank you for your help!

I work in the development and communications department at a local nonprofit. My job is to go out into the community and build partnerships with organizations, groups, etc. so that they will donate, volunteer, or in some form contribute to our nonprofit. I also handle social media communications and donor/sponsor-facing events.

My title is "Community Engagement Specialist" however, sometimes this gets confused because it could sound like a role that is client-facing (in terms of outreach for people we can serve through our organization's programs). I have thought about using the title "Community Development Engagement Specialist" but this also gets confusing because it sounds like I am a housing or public space developer and I am not.

It’s not a Development Associate position, but does include these responsibilities. It’s a higher level of building connections in the community, like being extremely familiar with our local Chamber of Commerce and generally being an ambassador/one of the faces of the org, accepting awards big and small on our organizations’ behalf, conducting presentations, and coordinating galas and other events.

Avoiding a typical "Development Associate" or “Development Manager” title, what are some other creative position titles I could utilize to get my role across to others in my organization and community of volunteers, donors, partners, and sponsors?

I also asked ChatGPT for suggestions and it came up with some (in my opinion) good suggestions. Here is what ChatGPT suggested, but I wanted to get input from this community as well!

1. Community Partnership Liaison
2. Community Engagement Coordinator
3. Community Relations Specialist
4. Collaboration and Outreach Coordinator
5. Community Impact Strategist
6. Community Connection Catalyst
7. Partnership Development Specialist
8. Community Engagement Facilitator
9. Community Alliance Builder
10. Engagement and Relationship Manager

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide :)

Hi everyone,
I am deputy exective director in a very small non-profit organization (15 employees). In terms of directors, there is only me and the executive director. We have 4 project coordinators.

I have been in this position for a little more than a year and a half. Let me tell you, it has been a huge learning ground for me, as I had never managed that many people. There was almost no processes or management tools in place either when arrived, so there has been a lot of changes since.

I am now seeking advice on how to help my coordinators take more responsibility and grow. For context, everyone is under 35 (including both my ED and I), so it's still a very junior team. I feel like they still don't grasp how to make the link between the projects they coordinate and the global priorities of the organization and lack a lot in terms of management skills, which results in my ED and I having to do a lot of operational work, on top of all of our other responsibilities. One of my coordinator has been on a professional skills development plan for the last year, but with limited results.

I understand it might not be enough information to give advice, but I would love to hear about other people's experience with managing a small and young team like this, and what can be done do to improve the situation.

Just wanted to see what advice others had to share in regard to being a Director of Operations for a non profit. I have stepped into this role recently and was curious to see what others outside of my circle have to share. I work for a small non profit made of up 9 people. Just looking for tips or encouragement.

One specific area I’m interested in receiving info about is managing and coordinating large amounts of volunteers. Thanks!

I'm the Director of Finance at a mid-sized nonprofit ($7mm in revenue a year). Our ED is the old Chief Development Officer and so I tend to have constant issues with our ED and Development team because they have a very specific way of looking at financial records that make sense from a Fundraising perspective, but aren't correct financially.

For instance, our annual budget is illustrated on an unrestricted basis (as is our P&L and other statements). Meaning that if we receive a restricted grant, it doesn't show in our budget until the funds are released. We have a large federal grant that is about 10% of our annual budget, except we're getting reimbursed for the funds on a monthly basis, meaning the revenue is being recorded monthly. Normally, this wouldn't be an issue but this time the project is split between Fiscal Years.

So year 1 only has $125,000 in revenue whereas year 2 has $625,000. Yet, Development is recording the full $750,000 in year 1 because that's when the grant was secured and they want to show our board that they received the funds.

I'm working on ways to illustrate how grants are split between fiscal years (e.g., "funds released from prior year restriction", but this is still causing confusion). My ED is not great with financial matters and just cannot wrap her head around things and making things confusing.

Any tips?

I am on a board for a volunteer organization. We are in an extremely small, rural area. The organization is important and is something that everyone in the community has opinions about. Every person in this small area either knows every other person or is related to them.

As I have volunteered on the board over the last 6 months I’ve been shocked at how things are run. There does not seem to be a leader and the meetings feel like a free for all.

I think my specific question is: how should public be handled during a board meeting? I understand public comment, but let’s say that time has passed and a comment has been made. Now the board has moved onto a different subject and the still-present public people are interjecting themselves into the discussion, forming opinions on matters etc. At one point last night at the meeting we had a member of the public making motions- while seemingly not understanding that that isn’t how the meeting works.

In this small community I want to be respectful of everyone- board, volunteers, and public- but I’m concerned about the lack of governance or structure. I’m worried this will hurt the organization in the long run.

Thank you

I don't know if it's just me, but I've noticed nonprofits recently began advertising fundraising jobs as sales positions. This makes me really sad. It takes the mission-driven purpose out of it for me. I don't know. My passion for nonprofits is not just about blindly raising money, it's about solving an issue. Some nonprofits are so focused on the money that they forget about what they're actually supposed to be doing. It's so annoying and makes me want to leave the profession. Yes, I know nonprofits need to fundraise, but dang I don't want to be looked at as a sales person. I've been apart of nonprofits that have money but don't know how to spend it. So many issues these days. #fundraising #sales

I have been talking to Chat GPT with my NPO questions, but.. I am not sure if I can trust it.

I have read through some posts in this sub-reddit, but could not find clear answer.

Somewhere, I read that NPOs can re-issue acknowledgment letter when the received donation appreciates in value, for example, stocks.

So let's say,

1. David Donates $TESLA stock when its price was $100.
2. Organization issues an acknowledgment letter, stating the value received is $100. The organization sells the stock right away.
3. Few months later, the stock's price goes up to $1000.
4. The organization re-issues the acknowledgment letter, stating the value received is $1000.
5. David writes off $1000 as tax deduction.

Is this something allowed?
Or, does the organization have to "hold" that stock to claim this new acknowledgment value?

If this is possible, it makes me think that it opens so many doors for.. potential tax evasions.

Board member of a small nonprofit. The board has taken a more active role in fundraising over the last 12 months. This year, each board member has agreed to approach five businesses to ask for sponsorships.

This will be the first time most of our board has made a sponsorship ask. I have fundraising experience and have offered to lead a mini fundraising training (think: 15-20 minutes) for our board. I'd like to include some general best practices and an activity that allows members to practice making an ask.

I want to hear your suggestions on what to include re: tips and activities!

Hi everyone! I am job searching currently and very interested in becoming a program coordinator. I've applied to a lot of jobs at organizations that I truly could see myself working at. I literally have gotten excited reading job descriptions. Of course, finding a job can take forever and I've gotten so many flat out no's. I know it's best to reach out and network, so I'm trying to shoot my shot on LinkedIn. I don't want to bombard hiring managers/can't even find them. So my question is, who should I reach out to on LinkedIn for a role as a program coordinator? Just anyone at the company? I am struggling, thank you all in advance <3

I am volunteering for a local nonprofit and my current project is cleaning up their donor database. I have nonprofit background, so I know a little about slicing and dicing the info and what we should expect to see in a typical database. However, I am finding that at this organization, even though the account has do not mail or do not phone activated for some individuals, they still have the info in the customer account listing. At my previous nonprofits I would delete the address or phone so we didn't send something out by mistake, leaving the account intact to view financial and other information. how do you handle it? They are also researching new CRM systems, so the cleaner the current data is, the better we can export to the new system and start out clean.

Hi all, I work for a local environmental non-profit. I currently am in the interview process regarding an awesome opportunity with a national environmental non-profit. Of course, I feel so guilty about considering to leave my current work. I am so dedicated to my community and projects but this new role is a major opportunity for me to grow professionally while amplifying and sharing the lessons I've learned locally.... the pros and cons is a whole other post.... anyway.... I made it through the interview process! The last step is references....

I really wanted to use a reference from my current position. That's where I'm doing the exact work that I'd like to build on in this potentially new role. I asked a co-worker/friend today who I work directly with (so they are capable of speaking to the relevant skills and knowledge for new role) if they would be my reference. This person pointed out that per our employee handbook - all references in the org must go through one person in executive management (who I don't often work directly with). So, in the interest of transparency, I asked the "reference contact person" if my coworker (who I work more closely with) could serve as my reference and they said NO because "we need to keep our reference contact/communications consistent". They said that they would be willing to serve as my reference though, I just can't use my coworker (who is unwilling to go against the policy but otherwise would be willing).... I hope this makes sense. The whole thing struck me as odd but job transitions are inherently a lil awkward so I'm here to ask: IS THIS NORMAL??

I currently work for a nonprofit and to say the least, I don’t feel very valued there. It’s a bit of a weird situation but I came to the conclusion that my values don’t really align with the organizations culture so I decided to apply to grad school (best decision ever). I got in to an amazing school and am leaving this job (thank god) at the end of July. I’m finding myself really checked out and just frankly not wanting to be at work. I need this job so that I can save and move for grad school but after this week I’m just feeling so depleted and drained. I’ve repeatedly advocated for myself at this organization but it falls (consistently) on deaf ears. I’m tired and I’m not sure how to reframe this situation, stay focused on just making it through these next three months, and deal with these emotions. I’m trying to be easy with myself.

I’d appreciate some wise advice.

I am not promoting SparkGood or Walmart. I am venting and if anyone has suggestions on handling this (mentally or steps please DM or comment cause wow. Also, mods, if this isn't allowed I sincerely apologize! I wasn't sure where else to go at this point.

So I understand the mechanics and security involved in SparkGood using Deed to verify nonprofits for grants via PayPal. My issue is, even following the prompts and their "how to PDF" it's still hitting nonprofits into a wall over and over again. I know some that have been successful in applying to be verified, doing steps (not sure which order but that's likely important), and having no issue (no popups of "you need to sign up for PP fundraising account" on Deed, or "Your org hasn't been verified via Deed" on Walmart" even when nonprofit has everything connected and it's been MONTHS.

I also noticed that Walmart extended community grants for quarter 1 from April (I think) through July (and my money is on the fact that the system is so messed up and many are having issues with this new change). Is anyone else having similar issues? My brain capacity apparently isn't functioning with this change after doing it the same way for a couple years.

Edit: Decided to cross-post to r/grantwriters. Maybe someone there can give some insight if they aren't here. *fingerscrossed*

As stated in the title, how many donations a week does door-to-door sales get? This is specifically in Seattle, Washington.

Im considering a job fundraising and while the pay is decent, its a bit lower than other jobs I may be offered. It does have bonuses though that can add up big time and put me well above the other jobs so I ask this question.

Thank you!