NCNCF Nonprofit Center

By Shaneece Dixon & Kari Brill  The short and easy answer is yes. Typically it is a win-win situation; the celebrity shows they care and the nonprofit generates additional awareness for the organization and becomes linked to the celebrity’s brand. However, a nonprofit (staff and board members) needs to fully consider if having a celebrity endorser will truly benefit their organization. In other words, do not just use this as a marketing tactic because you heard it can increase donations. It’s imperative the celebrity/nonprofit relationship makes sense to your key stakeholders. Here are some tips on how you can attract the right person to represent your organization! Do your research before making a decision:  This should be a given, but in order to protect the reputation of your organization, it’s best to do your research on the person you’re considering for a future endorsement. Was this person ever caught in a huge scandal? Other things to consider, according to Content to...Read More >

By David Ho Nonprofit organizations all across the nation are facing declining federal financial funding after the new legislations follow the Fiscal Cliff Crisis of late 2012 and early 2013. As many NPOs feel their collars tighten, many realize that to continue to achieve their organization’s mission, they must reevaluate and change the ways they use their scarce monetary resources in the face of a changing nonprofit sector. The Nonprofit Financial Fund, a financial institution dedicated to serving the nonprofit sector, has reported several notable shifts within the sector. According to their 2013 State of the Sector Survey, 39 percent of nonprofits are planning to change the primary ways they raise and spend their money. Even more shocking, 42 percent state that they will not have the financial resources to be successful and effective in the next three years. Being cognizant of the changing trends in the nonprofit sectors will be a critical part of many NPOs’ success. Nell Edgington...Read More >

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GAINESVILLE, FLA.— Imagine not having the ability to purchase all the office supplies needed to fully operate a business on a daily basis. Every office needs paper, pens, toner for printers, labels, envelopes, etc.; but when you’re working for a nonprofit, you are more than likely working with a limited office supply budget. Two local organizations have come up with a solution to this problem. The Nonprofit Center of North Central Florida is pleased to announce a new partnership with Gainesville based Mister Paper Business Products.  Mister Paper, the official distributor for the University of Florida, was established in 1977 and has been offering customers a large product offering at a substantial savings for many years.  Mister Paper will serve as the new office supplies distributor for NCNCF’s Cost Savings Program, a program providing nonprofits opportunities to significantly save money on expenses critical to operating their organizations. “This is precisely the sort of partnership NCNCF and Mister...Read More >

By Bernie Guerra Although Juliet made a good point about those pesky Montagues, a name really does make all the difference. Whether you are creating a name for your business the first time, or perhaps changing it for rebranding purposes, here are some things to consider: Does it catch attention? Does it describe your passion or mission? Is it original? Will it ever become dated? Is it timeless? Will it stand out for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) meaning is the name easily searchable online? Do not focus on trendy or cliché names. Think about what your mission is and what this organization means to you. Make a list of all the words that describe what you are doing, why you are doing it and how you are making an impact. How do all of these words connect? You might just find your new name hidden in that list. If you are having a tough time deciding which words describe you...Read More >

by Rebecca Mondo, University of Florida Many of us know that women have a huge presence in nonprofit organizations. They are seen in large quantities as staff and volunteers but do women hold leadership positions in nonprofit organizations? According to an annual study from the White House Project, 73 percent of the workers in the nonprofit sector are women but men hold the majority of top leadership positions and receive higher salaries. Let’s look at why women are drawn to the nonprofit sector. Nonprofits help people—your community, your peers or your family. Most people get a sense of intrinsic utility from this kind of profession. Nonprofit organizations are not as intimidating as their for-profit counterparts. There is a more pleasant work environment and people may enjoy going to work more. The nonprofit sector also allows for greater flexibility of work hours and more part-time availability. It appeals to women’s feelings and emotions while allowing them more time to fit into...Read More >

The Nonprofit Center’s Public Policy Committee recently sent a survey to the 2013 mayoral candidates for Gainesville, Florida.  The objective of the survey is to gain the candidates’ perspectives, roles and plans for our community’s nonprofit sector. Please note, the Nonprofit Center, and the members of the Public Policy Committee, do not endorse any one particular mayoral candidate.  Each of the six candidates were emailed the survey and given time to respond.  Please find their responses below. Web Site 2013 Mayoral Candidates’ Survey Responses

By Shaneece Dixon After experiencing the devastating state of the economy in 2009, it appears things are looking up for nonprofits in the U.S. According to a budget update from the National Conference of State Legislatures, most state budgets “appear to be in line with budgeted estimates through the first few months of the new fiscal year.” At least half of these states are expected to reach their peak levels in revenue by the end of the year. Though other states are uncertain when they’ll return to those levels, the company Blackbaud, a leading provider of nonprofit software and services, predicts donations are not likely to dramatically increase. And with recent natural disasters, increased program pressures and financial debt crises, slow and steady looks like the new normal for many nonprofits in 2013. Given the slow rate of the economy’s recovery, fundraising has remained fairly static at two percent of the gross domestic product (GPD).  This is partially a result...Read More >

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 8, 2013 Gainesville, FL – Mark Gaignard, a long-time Gainesville resident, graduate of the Gainesville Chamber’s Leadership Gainesville 35, and local musician, had a unique idea to implement on Valentine’s Day a couple of years ago. While putting together a Valentine’s Day song list for a performance, he realized not everyone has someone to celebrate with on Valentine’s Day. He wanted to cater to everyone attending his show, so he threw a few anti-love songs in the mix. Before he knew it, his great idea turned into a big hit for other bands as well; thus, the annual Heartbreakers Ball was born. After last year’s event Gaignard knew he created something worthwhile. He wanted to use the success of last year’s Heartbreakers’ Ball to give back to the Gainesville community once again. “That’s when I thought about the Nonprofit Center. If we could raise some money for these guys, their efforts would have a much further...Read More >

by Tiffany Manning and Kari Brill It’s time to face reality and stop buying into myths plaguing nonprofit organizations. As a nonprofit professional, you are most likely experiencing immense challenges on multiple organizational levels from fundraising to program development. One way to combat these challenges is live by the truths of nonprofits; not the myths. Read on to face the truth.  Myth 1: A high percentage of a donation should go towards your programs and services Truth: Nonprofit organizations are made up of the same services as businesses. The difference is nonprofits do not make a profit to pay for staff, technologies, research, etc. Let your funders know that without qualified staff and administrative functions the organization would not succeed. Everything, including overhead costs, contributes to making the organization better, stronger and more effective. Myth 2: Nonprofits can do more with less money and still be successful  Truth: “Something is NOT better than nothing” because the truth is you need...Read More >

by guest blogger Tiffany Manning Most nonprofits know the importance of having an online presence. But just simply being online is not enough. It is about maintaining that online presence.  Social media sites are a great way to stay in touch with your audience and to receive real-time feedback. However, social media does not tell your audience basic information about your organization. This information would best be placed on a website. Having an effective website is essential to the traffic a nonprofit can generate online. There are several elements to consider when creating a website. Organization and Navigation The organization and navigation of a website can be the deciding factor between someone donating to your nonprofit or not. A visitor should be able to navigate your website from one page to another with as few clicks as possible. It is also extremely important for visitors to find what they are looking for with minimal confusion. This means clear heading and...Read More >