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Powering Nonprofits to Fuel Positive Change

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Our Blog

Leveraging AI For Time Management

Leveraging AI For Time Management

Posted by Melissa Lagowski

By Melissa Lagowski Founder/CEO/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group “Larger nonprofits, with annual budgets exceeding $1 million, are adopting AI tools at nearly twice the rate of smaller organizations (66% vs. 34%), underscoring a growing digital divide,” according to the 2025 AI Benchmark Report which appeared in the NonProfit PRO.  If you have been too busy to look into what artificial intelligence (AI) can do, you are missing an opportunity to gain valuable support. Nonprofit and association professionals can save time and increase efficiency in a variety of ways. Here are just a few ideas to get started: -Data Entry: […]

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Navigating Uncertainty: How Nonprofits Can Protect Funding and Advocate for Change

Navigating Uncertainty: How Nonprofits Can Protect Funding and Advocate for Change

Posted by Melissa Lagowski

By Melissa Lagowski Founder/CEO/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group  As the new administration stepped into office, many nonprofits have been in a frenzy trying to confirm if they will or won’t have the funding they count on to provide their programs. Whether this is your charitable organization or not, this is a wake-up call for all of us, and we need to band together to advocate for one another.   Our industry needs to work together at this time to be heard and protect the funding that many nonprofits rely on. So, first and foremost, contact your congressional leaders to let […]

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Tips for Nonprofit Success

Tips for Nonprofit Success

Posted by Melissa Lagowski

Staff Report Big Buzz Idea Group Running a successful nonprofit requires adaptability, innovation and a clear vision, but it’s the collective wisdom of a dedicated team that truly drives impact. Check out these insights from Big Buzz Idea Group team members who each bring their unique perspective on what it takes to thrive in today’s evolving nonprofit landscape. From leveraging technology and fostering community engagement to ensuring financial sustainability and prioritizing mission alignment, their thoughts offer a comprehensive look at how nonprofits can navigate challenges and seize opportunities in the year ahead. Tricia Fusilero Association Manager  Every day, move one […]

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DEI, DEIB, Equity & Inclusion for All: Ways to Advance the Work in 2025

DEI, DEIB, Equity & Inclusion for All: Ways to Advance the Work in 2025

Posted by Melissa Lagowski

By Candance Chow CEO NextGroup LLC The winds are shifting when it comes to corporate messaging and strategy around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): what it is, what it is called, etc. As a nonprofit leader or mission-based organization looking forward, you should be less concerned about what you call it and more focused on the value and importance of creating a culture that empowers and nurtures diversity of thought and contribution.  Regardless of shifting political winds, let’s not lose sight of the reason we started all this talk in the first place (in addition to the recognition of systemic […]

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Gen Z is the Next Wave of Donors—How Can Nonprofits Engage Them?

Gen Z is the Next Wave of Donors—How Can Nonprofits Engage Them?

Posted by Melissa Lagowski

By Amanda Lovell Digital Marketing Manager Big Buzz Idea Group  As nonprofits look to the future, one generation stands out for its unique, powerful potential: Gen Z. Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z is already making waves in the philanthropic world, even as most of its members are just beginning their professional lives. This generation is socially conscious, digitally fluent and unafraid to put their values into action, making them a critical demographic for nonprofits to understand and engage.   So, why should nonprofits focus on Gen Z as their next wave of donors … and how?  Why Gen Z […]

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Communicating With Your Nonprofit’s Supporters During Times of Unease

Communicating With Your Nonprofit’s Supporters During Times of Unease

Posted by Melissa Lagowski

By Julia Schroeder Marketing & Nonprofit Account Coordinator Big Buzz Idea Group Change is inevitable for any nonprofit or business, just as people experience times of uncertainty in their own lives. Someone may pass away or lose a job they were counting on to pay the bills. A nonprofit organization may need to dissolve due to a lack of resources or difficulty keeping its supporters engaged. When sudden change occurs – perhaps a loss in major funding or a board member decides to leave before their term is up – the organization may need to scramble to put all the […]

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Big Buzz Idea Group Named One of America’s Top 100 Small Businesses

Posted by Melissa Lagowski

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 30, 2024 Media Contact: Cat Donovan cat@bigbuzzideagroup.com Big Buzz Idea Group Named One of America’s Top 100 Small Businesses U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO—100 list honors Big Buzz Idea Group as ‘Enduring Business’ Chicago, IL – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and CO, its award-winning digital platform for small businesses, announced Big Buzz Idea Group was chosen for the CO—100: America’s Top 100 Small Businesses list. Big Buzz Idea Group was selected out of more than 14,000 applicants by an esteemed panel of judges for its overall growth driven by cutting-edge ideas, resilience, and strong employee culture. The list includes a […]

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Navigating Nonprofit Finances: How to Effectively Manage Your Bookkeeper

Navigating Nonprofit Finances: How to Effectively Manage Your Bookkeeper

Posted by Melissa Lagowski

By Melissa Lagowski Founder/CEO/Queen Bee Successful financial management is one of the greatest keys to the sustainability of your nonprofit or association. The accuracy of your numbers is crucial for day-to-day funding of staffing, programming and strategic planning. And yet, depending on the source, 40% of nonprofit leaders and 60% of small business owners say they are not good at bookkeeping. Accounting is a highly-regulated area of importance for your organization, and yet most nonprofits do not invest in securing the specialists needed to manage their finances. And even when an association does hire a bookkeeper, leadership might not know […]

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These Red Flags Scream That You Need a New Bookkeeper

These Red Flags Scream That You Need a New Bookkeeper

Posted by Melissa Lagowski

By Melissa Lagowski Founder/CEO/Queen Bee If your nonprofit or association manages cash flow or oversees the filing of financial documentation on a regular basis, check out these warning signs that indicate when it’s time to hire a new bookkeeper. 1. Missed Deadlines Reconciliations and reporting are on a steady and predictable cycle. Bank statements are issued by the end of the month, so the bookkeeper should be able to reconcile all accounts and provide the monthly reports by the 15th of the following month. Governmental deadlines are also established and follow a regular pattern for submissions. If your filings are […]

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10 Cybersecurity Tips to Protect Your Nonprofit from Cyber Threats

10 Cybersecurity Tips to Protect Your Nonprofit from Cyber Threats

Posted by Melissa Lagowski

By Amanda Lovell Digital Marketing Manager Big Buzz Idea Group Do you know the potential costs and impacts that a cyberattack could have on your organization? Are you prepared? In today’s digital age, nonprofits are increasingly becoming targets for cyberattacks, data breaches and ransomware. Your organization’s cybersecurity efforts are crucial, not only to protect sensitive information from theft and damage, but also to maintain the trust and confidence of your stakeholders and your members. Here are some key stats that every nonprofit needs to know: 50% of NGOS reported being targeted by a cyberattack in 2021. 500K confidential records of […]

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Check Out These Recent Posts

  • Leveraging AI For Time Management
  • Navigating Uncertainty: How Nonprofits Can Protect Funding and Advocate for Change
  • Tips for Nonprofit Success
  • DEI, DEIB, Equity & Inclusion for All: Ways to Advance the Work in 2025
  • Gen Z is the Next Wave of Donors—How Can Nonprofits Engage Them?
  • Communicating With Your Nonprofit’s Supporters During Times of Unease
  • Big Buzz Idea Group Named One of America’s Top 100 Small Businesses

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Insights Blog Archive

  • Post-Pandemic Event Lessons
  • The Hidden Costs Behind Your Fundraiser
  • Want To Retain Your Employees? Wellness in the Workplace Matters!
  • Making the Most Out of Event Centerpieces
  • Employee Retention Tax Credit Yields Powerful Opportunity
  • Take Time to Evaluate Your Events
  • Life After COVID-19: Next Steps for Your Nonprofit
  • 5 Ways to Generate Sponsor Leads
  • 4 Ways Outsourcing Your Development Work Can Provide Value
  • Six Things Your Nonprofit Needs to Know About Sales Tax
  • Four Pillars to Attracting and Retaining Ideal Employees
  • Making a Case for Strategic Planning
  • Crisis Management: Are You Ready?
  • Is Your Marketing Missing the Mark?
  • DEI, DEIB, Equity & Inclusion for All: Ways to Advance the Work in 2025
  • Communicating With Your Nonprofit’s Supporters During Times of Unease
  • 3 Questions to Ask If You Hope to Grow Your Membership
  • Client Spotlight: Cyberjutsu
  • Please Send a Hi-res Copy of Your Logo
  • Does Your Mission Have a Compelling Voice?
  • Nonprofit Hiring: Best Practices for Building Your Team in 2024
  • Tips for Virtual Event Success
  • Team Culture Exists Beyond the Office Walls
  • 8 Tips For Leading Productive Meetings
  • How Big Is Your Fire?
  • Keep Your Mission in Mind to Maximize Results
  • An Interim Leader Isn’t a “Temp:” Interim Leadership in NPOs as a Management Profession
  • 11 Tips to Make Your Newsletter More Readable
  • 4 Productivity Tips to Elevate Your Nonprofit
  • Cross-Train Your Team for Better Outcomes
  • A Job Gone Wrong
  • What’s Your Nonprofit’s Story
  • Fostering Board Engagement in Virtual Times
  • 5 Secrets to Streamlining Your Administrative Tasks
  • Virtual Fundraising: 18 Ideas for Nonprofit Revenue
  • Client Spotlight: Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce
  • Streamlining Success: Using a Consent Agenda for Nonprofit Board Meetings
  • Becoming a Virtual Event Planner in an Instant
  • Why Nonprofits Need to Evaluate Their Budgets Every Year
  • The Birth of a New Vision
  • Navigating Uncertainty: How Nonprofits Can Protect Funding and Advocate for Change
  • Organic Methods to Cultivate Sponsorship Leads
  • 6 Tips for Recruiting Ideal Board Members
  • Chart a Path for Nonprofit Success
  • 2020: A Lesson in Gratitude
  • Outsourcing: The Only Solution To Staffing Shortages
  • Board Nominating: A Better Way
  • Make Your Nonprofit Stand Out: Creating Impressions for Impact
  • Losing Control? Reclaim Your Time!
  • Lessons Learned in Nonprofit Management
  • Leadership Starts with You
  • Goal-Setting For Successful Events
  • To Be Successful, Nonprofits and Associations Must Be Forward-Thinking
  • Cyber Security: How To Protect Yourself In Today’s “Connected” World
  • How to Develop Your Nonprofit’s Audience Persona
  • Time to Assess Your Year-End Campaigns
  • 5 Tips for Prioritizing Your Mental Health in the Workplace
  • Our Top Five Free Online Tools for Nonprofit Management Teams
  • Are You Leading With Impact?
  • Silver Linings Discovered Amidst a Pandemic
  • 6 Tips for Healthy Collaboration with Your Board Chair
  • Organizational Operations Versus Organizational Strategy
  • Best Practices For Nonprofit Management
  • 3 Reasons Why Your Organization Should Use Canva
  • Client Spotlight: Old Town School of Folk Music
  • How to Manage Your Organization During an Election Year Without Violating Your Nonprofit Status
  • Budgeting for Your Nonprofit in Uncertain Times
  • Re-Imagine the Possibilities to Better Serve Your Mission
  • 10 Cybersecurity Tips to Protect Your Nonprofit from Cyber Threats
  • 9 Lessons Learned from Our First Virtual Conference
  • Self-Care: A Necessity for Successful Leadership
  • If You’re Feeling Hopeless of Late, Remember That Your Work Matters and You Do, Too
  • SPONSORSHIP 101: To Package or Not to Package
  • Big Buzz Has COVID-19 Resources For You!
  • Word of the Year: Manifestation
  • Advantages of Donor Database Software for Charitable Organizations
  • Cancelling or Postponing Your Events in Light of COVID-19
  • The 3 Mistakes I Made Managing a Nonprofit
  • Holding On When You Feel Like Throwing In the Towel
  • 6 Tips for Cultivating Gratitude in the Workplace
  • Are You Leaving Money On The Table?
  • Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part II
  • Nonprofit Form 990: Friend or Foe?
  • Big Buzz Idea Group Named One of America’s Top 100 Small Businesses
  • Fresh Funding Ideas Are Blooming
  • Implementing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Your Nonprofit
  • How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media to Meet Goals
  • Apply the Spoon Theory to Run Your Nonprofit
  • Optimize Your Contact List for Nonprofit Growth
  • Navigating Nonprofit Finances: How to Effectively Manage Your Bookkeeper
  • How to Hire a Consultant
  • Talk to Me! Prioritizing Internal Communications During Times of Transition
  • Interim Directors Provide Strength in Times of Transition
  • Why You Need to Establish Gratitude as a Pillar at Your Nonprofit
  • Engage Your Board – Start with Recruiting and End with A High-Performance Culture
  • Melissa Lagowski Named Faculty Member at Institute for Organization Management
  • SPONSORSHIP 101: Growing Nonprofit Revenues
  • Something Good: Building Your Team’s Connection
  • DIY Event Photos
  • Spend Less. Do More. Your Guide to Effective Outsourcing
  • Fundraising: Creating a Straighter Path to Revenue Growth
  • Securing Help from Your Board: Are You Ready?
  • 3 Tips For Maintaining Your NPO’s Digital Assets
  • Clearer Communication Is the Secret to Better Outcomes
  • From Awareness to Action: Using Social Media to Reach Your Goals
  • Four Tactics to Resolve Nonprofit Staffing Shortages
  • New Year’s Resolutions for Board Members
  • 10 Tips to Cultivate Sponsor Relationships
  • Innovative Approach to Volunteer Recruitment
  • Leveraging AI For Time Management
  • The Keys to Presenting Your Nonprofit Online
  • Client Spotlight: Center for Changing Lives
  • Real Progress Requires Intention: What Do You Want to Achieve in 2020 for Your Nonprofit?
  • Four Step Process to Building Better Buy-In
  • Client Spotlight: Illinois Theatre Association
  • The Need to Go Beyond Surveys
  • The Importance of Authenticity in Sales and Networking
  • 50 Content Promotion Tactics: How to Drive Traffic to Your Next Article
  • The Taxman Cometh (Yes, Even For Your Exempt Organization)
  • How To Secure More Donor Dollars
  • How to Secure Mega Sponsorships For Your Fundraising Event!
  • 5 Reasons to Outsource Instead of Rely on Volunteers
  • Tips to Ensure Event Safety
  • SPONSORSHIP 101: Growing Nonprofit Revenues
  • Strategies for Membership Based Associations to Flourish in Face-to-Face Interactions
  • 7 Tips for Managing Hybrid Events
  • Should You Ever Cover Board Member Expenses?
  • How to Rewire Your Brain with Positive Thinking
  • Transparency and Nonprofit Organizations
  • Defining Your Value: Reclaiming Relevance to the Community You Serve
  • These Red Flags Scream That You Need a New Bookkeeper
  • How to Keep Your Visuals On-Brand
  • Conference Call Hero – 6 Tips to Master the Art of Video and Audio Conferencing
  • Leveraging E-Newsletters For Nonprofit Growth
  • Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part I
  • Financial Planning for Uncertain Times
  • Why Identifying and Communicating Your Core Values Is Important
  • Big Buzz Idea Group Launches Additional Services
  • Meet Big Buzz, the Creators of Ribfest Chicago
  • Why Is My Organization Not Growing?
  • Seven Tips to a More Productive Year for Your Organization
  • Client Spotlight: Hope For The Day
  • Celebrate You and Avoid Nonprofit Burnout
  • Mastering Client Expectations: 6 Essential Tips for Success
  • What’s Your Nonprofit’s First Impression?
  • Nonprofit Event Venues 101
  • The Compelling Case to Renew
  • Put Some Zing in Your Zoom (Or Any Other Virtual Meeting)
  • Communication Tips to Advance Your Organization
  • Gen Z is the Next Wave of Donors—How Can Nonprofits Engage Them?
  • Tips For Meaningful #GivingTuesday Follow-Up
  • Never Overlook the Value of Gratitude
  • The Benefits of Outsourcing
  • Why Your Nonprofit Needs Brand Guidelines
  • Board or Bored Leadership – Enter the Magnificent Seven
  • Tips for Nonprofit Success
  • Networking for Personal and Professional Growth
  • The Board’s Hot (Summer) Topics
  • Boost Your Daily Productivity
  • Grateful for Nonprofit Leaders
  • Should Sponsorships Include Membership Dues?

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