NCNCF http://www.ncncf.org NCNCF Nonprofit Center Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:00:07 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Useful Links http://www.ncncf.org/blog/useful-links/ http://www.ncncf.org/blog/useful-links/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:00:07 +0000 admin http://www.ncncf.org/?p=44328 Read More ]]> Welcome to Useful Links, NCNCF’s direct line to things you need to know but don’t have time to research. Each Tuesday we will post two or three links to specific articles, data, or tools. For your convenience, links will be archived in categories such as Boards of Directors, fundraising, and technology.

]]> http://www.ncncf.org/blog/useful-links/feed/ 0 Fundraising for Nonprofits: http://www.ncncf.org/blog/fundraising-for-nonprofits/ http://www.ncncf.org/blog/fundraising-for-nonprofits/#comments Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:52:58 +0000 admin http://www.ncncf.org/?p=56067 Read More ]]> Guest blog post by Tiffany Manning                                                                                                                                                                     Volunteer, University of Florida

Nonprofit organizations are funded through various revenue streams, including fundraisers and donations. It is important to be creative and think outside of the box, especially in a challenging economy. Now more than ever nonprofits need to be strategic and innovative while maintaining cost effectiveness. Providing your audience diverse opportunities to get involved or donate will keep them enticed while attracting new donors.

Below are some tips on how to bring in the money:

Follow the money:

Many nonprofit leaders feel that they are doomed because of the current financial positions of most people across the country. But the truth is nonprofits can still raise money, even in these trying times. Nonprofit leaders should target businesses and markets that are still doing well during these tough times.

Pound the pavement

Go back to the fundamentals.

Target new donors while cooperating with committed donors.

Be reasonable. Understand that everyone is facing financial setbacks as well.

Be specific. Inform new donors of exactly what you need and where their donation will go.

eBay: Selling items on eBay is an effortless cost effective way to raise money for a nonprofit. You can sell just about anything on eBay, especially items donated to your nonprofit. However, there are guidelines for nonprofits on eBay. Nonprofits can sell items through direct sales of auction items or through Community Selling. More information about how to get your nonprofit started on eBay can be found on the website.

Be open to new ideas

Special events, cocktail receptions and/or a Gala are all great ways to raise money for a nonprofit. However, be extremely careful not to spend more money than you will make. Your events should match the size of your organization, if you cannot fund a gala for 1,000 people do not plan one. Make sure you get a “Bang for your buck.”

What are some creative ways your organization has raised money?

 

 

]]> http://www.ncncf.org/blog/fundraising-for-nonprofits/feed/ 0 Capacity Building http://www.ncncf.org/blog/capacity-building/ http://www.ncncf.org/blog/capacity-building/#comments Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:05:09 +0000 admin http://www.ncncf.org/?p=54011 Read More ]]> Guest blog post by Tiffany Manning                                                                                                                                                        Volunteer, University of Florida

Are you interested in strengthening the management and governance of your nonprofit organization?

The number of nonprofit organizations has escalated in the last few years and continues to grow. No matter the mission or purpose of your nonprofit, capacity building is a great way to ensure success.

Capacity building is the evaluative efforts needed to bring a nonprofit to the next level of operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity, in order to effectively and efficiently fulfill its mission.

Capacity building can help an organization form development activities, such as leadership development, strategic planning, program design and evaluation, and board development.

Capacity building includes the steps taken to improve the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations. It can efficiently help a nonprofit organization improve – from learning about new Internal Revenue Services (IRS) and state regulations to improving volunteer recruitment.

Many nonprofit leaders have limited resources, but still need to increase accountability and establish the goals of their nonprofits. Being successful through capacity building means knowing what it takes to help a nonprofit organization expand to the next level financially and strategically.

No matter novice, seasoned, big or small nonprofit leaders can benefit from it. Capacity building has many layers to its process; it can be used to evaluate short-term or long-term goals through:

  • Assessments
  • Business planning/development
  • Conflict resolution
  • Financial management
  • Peer leading
  • Program design
  • Research
  • Strategic planning and much more

Capacity building evaluations may be conducted by the nonprofit organization, a management assistance provider, foundation staff, or an external evaluator. Often, an outside evaluator is more effective, but he/she is not emotionally connected to the organization. However, outside evaluators may reveal too much information or put information in the wrong hands. Whether the evaluation is completed internally or externally, it is important for all parties to agree on what information is shared and with whom the information is shared.

The greatest need for capacity building is most nonprofits lack the capability to evaluate their own effectiveness or outcomes. The focus of capacity building will differ for every organization but it is important for each organization to clearly state what it wants to achieve through the evaluation process.

It is important for capacity building to be an ongoing process. Using capacity building to evaluate a nonprofit can determine what works, what does not work, and why. These insights can help directors modify goals to boost the impact of the organization.

 

 

 

]]> http://www.ncncf.org/blog/capacity-building/feed/ 0 university http://www.ncncf.org/uncategorized/university/ http://www.ncncf.org/uncategorized/university/#comments Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:35:26 +0000 admin http://www.ncncf.org/?p=53541 text goes here

]]> http://www.ncncf.org/uncategorized/university/feed/ 0 Six more ways to improve a nonprofit on social media http://www.ncncf.org/blog/six-more-ways-to-improve-a-nonprofit-on-social-media/ http://www.ncncf.org/blog/six-more-ways-to-improve-a-nonprofit-on-social-media/#comments Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:45:21 +0000 admin http://www.ncncf.org/?p=52863 Read More ]]> Guest blog post by Tiffany Manning                                                                                  Volunteer, University of Florida

1. Include videos

Posting videos from recent events or fundraisers is a great way to include your supports. Creating a YouTube account and posting all videos created is one way to make sure supports stay engaged.

2. Embrace the internet

Just because you are a nonprofit and deal with serious causes does not mean you cannot entertain your audience. Most of the information on the internet is to inform the public of serious matter and some of it is done in a humorous, but respectful manner.

3. Interact with other nonprofits

A great way to generate a new audience is to connect with other organizations. “Like” their Facebook pages and follow them on Twitter. Ask questions and help promote causes relevant to your own. As a nonprofit organization you need all the free help you can get and connecting with other organizations is a great way to do that.

4. Post about the organization, not yourself

We all think our lives are fascinating and appealing. Truth is people do not want to read about what you had for breakfast or your favorite stores. They want to know about the impact the organization is making.

5. Everyone is a winner

The best part of donating to a nonprofit is the feeling people have afterwards. A $10 donor can feel like a $1,000 donor, just by giving. Make sure to acknowledge all donations no matter how small.

6. Ask questions

Think like an eight year old. When they want information they ask questions, lots of questions. You should do the same. Add questions to the end of your posts to generate responses and receive insight.

]]> http://www.ncncf.org/blog/six-more-ways-to-improve-a-nonprofit-on-social-media/feed/ 0 Food For Thought http://www.ncncf.org/blog/food-for-thought/ http://www.ncncf.org/blog/food-for-thought/#comments Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:20:13 +0000 admin http://www.ncncf.org/?p=51669 Read More ]]> Have you ever given any thought to how the foods you eat affect your thoughts? This may seem like circular thinking, but there is actually a direct correlation between what you put into your body and the quality of your brain function. We all feel the effects of coffee, alcohol, and sugar consumption almost immediately, so we are hyper aware of their impact on our bodies. However, we often forget to think about foods such as dark leafy greens, whole grains, microwave-ready meals, and fast food. These foods influence our bodies more subtly, but increase their impact over time with continuous exposure, affecting our brain functions more and more as we continue to include them in our diets.

Proper brain functioning demands a constant stream of glucose (blood sugar). High glucose levels have been shown to slowly damage brain cells, and a recent study done at the University of Wisconsin shows that our brains may react to too much food as if it were a pathogen and that the immune response to overeating may cause cognitive deficits similar to those seen in Alzheimer’s patients. Allowing blood sugar to drop too low is also a problem because, according to Leigh Gibson of Roehampton University in England, low glucose levels cause confused thinking patterns.

How can we regulate our glucose levels? The solution is simple: eat whole (unprocessed) foods regularly! One solution is to eat small meals at regular intervals throughout your day; for some this is easy to do and enjoyable, for others this is unrealistic and an unpleasant burden. For those of you who fall into the second camp, I recommend eating a balanced diet of foods with a low glycemic load. The glycemic index, or GI, is a measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood sugar. It basically tells us how fast our bodies will breakdown a given food and release glucose into our blood stream.

An easy way to know if a food has a high or low GI is to think about how processed it is. Foods such as bagels, pretzels, and breakfast cereals have a high GI because they are highly processed, which makes them easy for the body to break down. These foods cause spikes in blood glucose levels that can overwhelm our brains, then quickly leave us wanting for energy. When our brains are expected to complete some cognitive task while our blood sugar levels are high, they produce more cortisol, a hormone that is associated with stress, known to impair memory and increase weight gain. So, eating a bagel in the morning and then rushing off to give an important presentation, or gobbling down a quick, microwaved pasta dish before your afternoon board meeting is probably not the best idea if you want to be clear headed and on point.

Foods with a low GI include fruits and vegetables, legumes, and some whole grains. These foods break down slowly in your body and release a steady stream of glucose that can maintain your brain function for hours. Foods such as whole wheat products, basmati rice, and potatoes have a medium GI and are good compliments to fruits and vegetables. High-fiber carbohydrates generally have a low GI, but when you combine them with fats and proteins they break down even slower. A simple and delicious example would be to start with a dark, whole wheat pasta or bread, add some kind of high-quality protein such as a lean chicken breast, add some high-quality fat such as olive oil or pesto, add a few tomatoes and some spinach, and voila! Sustain-your-brain food you can feel good about!

For better or worse, the things we put in our mouths fuel our bodies, brains, and thoughts. Eating healthy, whole foods leads to increased clarity and quality of thought while giving us the energy to keep up with our hectic lives and increasing the amount of joy and pleasure we experience every day. For more tips and tricks on food for thought, please join me Thursday March 15th, 9am at NCNCF for an interactive workshop entitled “Smart Nutrition for Busy Professionals”. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of how food directly affects our thoughts and actions while learning how to prepare quick, delicious meals with nutrient rich whole foods.

In Health,

Brandi Adair

]]> http://www.ncncf.org/blog/food-for-thought/feed/ 0 Social Media for Nonprofits http://www.ncncf.org/blog/49284/ http://www.ncncf.org/blog/49284/#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:17:47 +0000 admin http://www.ncncf.org/?p=49284 Read More ]]> Guest blog post by Tiffany Manning                                                                                                                                             Volunteer, University of Florida

As of 2011, 92 percent of nonprofit organizations have a presence on at least one social networking site, according to Frank Barry, Director of professional services at Blackbaud.

Eight ways to improve your nonprofit on social media

1. Tell stories – Connect donations to impact

Tell your supporters about your recent campaign to raise awareness or how much was raised at a fundraiser. People like to know details about the organizations they support. Share videos of recent projects or send a letter to supporters to update them on the organizations work can be make an impact in donations.

2. Be positive

Thank donors for their support and volunteers for their participation. People respond well to emotional positivity. Bombarding them with statistical data is not as powerful as a photo from your last event.

3. Think analytically

Social media is interactive and reactive, people will “like,” share and reply to information that they agree with. Give your supports what they want and they will thank you with involvement.

4. Tailor content to platform

Each social media site is different. Take some time to learn the best way to tailor your message on each platform. What works on Facebook may not work on Twitter. Information on your blog may not be as powerful on Facebook. This does not mean you have to use every platform, just know the best techniques for the one’s you do have.

5. Become a content curator

As a nonprofit you are an “expert” on a particular cause. Once or twice a month, include stories on topics related to your organization and post them on your blog. For example, if new laws, affecting your cause, are passed or vetoed write how it will affect your organization ans your cause.

6. Thank, answer, comment – continue

Social media can serve as a reactive tool. Thank supports for their support, answer questions current or potential donors may have and comment on conversations about your organization. Many of your supports found your organization on social media and what to be involved; do not shut them out via social media.

7. Plan, schedule, push

Although much of your information on social media sites may be reactions to current events, some posts can be planned in advance. Writing blogs, tweets or Facebook posts in advance can reduce the stress of making sure a weekly post is on time.

8. Consider a CEO or Executive Director Blog

Consider creating a blog or twitter account for your CEO or Executive Director. Many supporters will feel like they are getting a privileged look inside of your organization.

]]> http://www.ncncf.org/blog/49284/feed/ 0 Ethics for Nonprofits http://www.ncncf.org/blog/nonprofits-and-ethics/ http://www.ncncf.org/blog/nonprofits-and-ethics/#comments Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:48:58 +0000 admin http://www.ncncf.org/?p=47191 Read More ]]> By Tiffany Manning, volunteer from the University of Florida

“The greatest threat to the not-for-profit sector is the betrayal of public trust and the disappointment of public conference,” said Joel Fleishman, scholar, author and professor of Law and Public Policy at Duke University.

One of the most important qualities of a successful nonprofit organization is trust.  Establishing honesty, trust and a code of ethics can be the difference between success and failure. Ethics is defined as a set of built-in principles of moral values, concerned with the judgment of the rights wrongs of human action and character.

Nonprofit organizations are created to benefit the public. A nonprofits mission statement explains how the organization will serve the public. Nonprofit leaders have the responsibility of always upholding their mission statement to gain trust.

Earning the public’s trust through ethical leadership and responsible practices is not an easy task, but is something all nonprofit leaders should work toward. Donors will give to organizations they trust. Volunteers will dedicate their time when they believe the organization is acting ethically. And clients and consumers will return for services and recommend the nonprofit to friends and family.

Several ways a nonprofit can establish ethical practices include, but are not limited to:

  • Being honest in solicitation materials and clearly explaining to donors where their gifts are going and how it will be used
  • Being upfront and completely explicit about who handles the organizations expenditures
  • Posting financial information on the organizations website
  • Creating a conflict of interest policy that all board members and staff review regularly
  • Adopting an executive compensation to ensure that the full board is aware of and agrees to the salary of the executive director/CEO
  • Publishing a copy of the organization’s application for tax-exemption, IRS Form 990, audited financial statements and annual reports
  • Respond to requests for copies of financial reports appropriately
]]> http://www.ncncf.org/blog/nonprofits-and-ethics/feed/ 0 Slowing Down to Save Your Life, While Still Saving the World! http://www.ncncf.org/blog/slowing-down-to-save-your-life-while-still-saving-the-world/ http://www.ncncf.org/blog/slowing-down-to-save-your-life-while-still-saving-the-world/#comments Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:03:06 +0000 admin http://www.ncncf.org/?p=45694 Read More ]]> Stress, especially long-term stress, initially manifests as emotional or mental distress but it also
has serious physical repercussions. Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure which increases your
risk of heart attack and stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and
women in the United States. Stress can also suppress your immune system, making you more
susceptible to sicknesses that might ordinarily pass you by. In extreme cases stress may contribute to
infertility and speed up the natural aging process.
If you care about your work, you need to care for you. I know how passionately you stand up
for the causes your organization represents. We both know how much of your life is devoted to
changing the world, making it a more just, equitable and beautiful place to live. But are you taking the
time to live in this world you work so hard to create? The simple fact of the matter is if you don’t take
care of your body and your mind, you won’t have the energy, or the mental capacity to stand up for
what you believe in, much less enjoy the fruits of your labors.
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“Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time which every day produces, and which
most men throw away.” Charles Caleb Colton, 19th century English aphorist
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One thing you can do now to reduce your stress level and immediately increase your joy in life
is to take time for gratitude. There have been numerous studies in the past decade or so, which point to
the idea that “grateful people are happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their
lives and social relationships. Grateful people also have higher levels of control of their environments,
personal growth, purpose in life, and self acceptance.”¹ By adding regular gratitude practices into your
life, you are in essence taking control of your environment, which will exponentially decrease your
stress factor.
When to focus on gratitude? Gratitude is like a muscle, once you begin to stretch it out, it
becomes much easier to work with. My experience working one on one with busy professionals has
shown that meal times are one of the easiest places to begin to work in gratitude practices. Whether
you’re a person of prayer or not, taking a moment before and after each meal to say thank you for all of
the people and circumstances that brought nourishment to your plate, will certainly bring a smile to
your face. My clients who follow through with this practice report that it helps them to quiet their
minds of worry and outside stressors, allowing them to live in the moment and truly enjoy their meals.
Another great time to work in gratitude practices is before bed. So often we find ourselves
falling asleep with racing minds focusing on what went wrong today or worrying about what may go
wrong tomorrow. How can we expect to get good, refreshing sleep with those kinds of thoughts
speeding through our heads? Recent studies in the area of positive psychology have shown that people
who take a moment to write down three things that they are grateful for, each night before bed,
experience immediately began feeling better about their lives. They were more likely to have made
progress towards their personal goals, and reported higher “levels of the positive states of alertness,
enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness, and energy compared to a focus on daily hassles or a
downward social comparison (ways in which participants thought they were better off than others).”²
You can’t be too stressed if you’re constantly looking at your life, your experiences and
interactions and asking yourself “What do I love about this?” or “What am I grateful for?” and giving
each of those thoughts space to be noticed. Incorporating these and other techniques into your life,
creating Slow Moments, as I call them, can drastically reduce your risk of stress related health
problems. To get more ideas on how to Slow Down, to Save your Life, While Still Saving the World;
join me Tuesday, February 21st at 9 am at NCNCF for a workshop of the same name, I look forward to
seeing you there!
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In Health,
Brandi Adair

¹http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratitude
² Gratitude: A Key to Happiness, by William F. Doverspike, Ph.D. Of the Georgia Psychological
Association
]]> http://www.ncncf.org/blog/slowing-down-to-save-your-life-while-still-saving-the-world/feed/ 0 The Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center http://www.ncncf.org/blog/the-cotton-club/ http://www.ncncf.org/blog/the-cotton-club/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:38:00 +0000 admin http://www.ncncf.org/?p=42941 Read More ]]> In honor of Black History month, the Nonprofit Center is shining the member spotlight on The Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center.

This is the hall before renovations began.

The History: The Cotton Club of Gainesville (named for its famous namesake of Harlem) was part of a circuit of night clubs and ballrooms which booked Black singers and musicians, including James Brown, B.B. King and Brook Benton. In a tumultuous time of segregation, The Cotton Club defied racial barriers by attracting people from all walks of life including UF students and faculty. Additionally, dance bands drew large crowds from as far away as Ocala, Palatka and Jacksonville. Click HERE for more history of The Cotton Club.

The building was eventually purchased in hopes of renovating it to its former glory in order to “preserve the past and build the future”.  Thus, The Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center was born. When the building is fully restored, it will serve as a community center. Once more, the building’s purpose will focus on bringing the community together.

What is the mission or motivation behind The Cotton Club Museum & Cultural Center? The preservation of African American history through the restoration of this significant building. (include link #2 to underlined portion)

Upcoming Events: BBQ Dinner Sale, Friday, February 3rd , 2012. Contact Vivian Filer to place your order at vivianfiler@att.net or 376-9956

Vivian Filer is one of the individuals dedicated to revitalizing this historical landmark in the Gainesville Community.

How can the community get involved and stay connected with the Cotton Club? Become a “Blue Note” member or make a donation and stay current on The Cotton Club’s progress.

How has The Cotton Club made an impact in our community? By educating students from Williams Elementary and their parents by giving a tour and the history of The Cotton Club. The kids were even able to interview some of the former patrons of The Cotton Club!

What is The Cotton Club’s wish list right now?

Temporary Sign for the site, Grant Writer, Fundraising Event Planner, Printing, Promotional DVD, Donors, Lawnmower
Large tent, Folding chairs, Garden tools, and a Large table

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