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About Devin Ball

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Devin Ball has contributed 42 entries to our website, so far.

The Board’s Hot (Summer) Topics

The Board’s Hot (Summer) Topics

By: Amy Schiffman Principal and Co-Founder, Giving Tree Associates It’s that time of year when most boards are closing the books on this fiscal year and planning for the next.  Perhaps we’re spending time reviewing new programmatic, fundraising and operational strategies or putting the finishing touches on next year’s budget.  But I’d like to make a case for summer being the right time to consider the health of your organization’s governance program.  And if that sounds either too vague or glaringly obvious, let’s dig down a little deeper, unpack the possibilities, and prioritize.   During this year’s summer board retreat, why...

Four Step Process to Building Better Buy-In

Four Step Process to Building Better Buy-In

By: Melissa Lagowski President, Founder and Queen Bee, Big Buzz Idea Group “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou Think back to the last time that you had an AMAZING customer experience. Was it on the phone? A retail experience in a store? Perhaps it was during a meal at a restaurant or café. It might have even been your morning barista. What made it truly special for you? For me, it can be as simple as a smile that...

Communication Tips to Advance Your Organization

Communication Tips to Advance Your Organization

By: Melissa Lagowski President, Founder and Queen Bee, Big Buzz Idea Group As our peak event season is ramping up, I am constantly reminded how crucial communication is to success! From staff to volunteers to program participants to donors to Board members, communication is vital to organizational success, and yet, due to the demands and constraints on our time and attention, it is the one thing that often gets shorted. Take a minute to make a plan: Create a standard communication policy. It took me years to learn the importance of this one simple piece of advice. Actually, I don’t...

Fresh Funding Ideas Are Blooming

Fresh Funding Ideas Are Blooming

By: Katie George Grant Writer, Big Buzz Idea Group Spring has arrived with the promise of fresh and new! We at Big Buzz Idea Group quite naturally love this time of year; the hive is humming and people are buzzing with energy and activity, preparing for the longer days ahead. It’s that time when New Year’s resolutions, set in the dreary months of winter, are reinvigorated—like dormant trees bursting with leaves to meet the warm sunshine. For some, this means finally getting outside, being active and becoming more physically fit. For nonprofit organizations, this is the season of renewal and...

Goal-Setting For Successful Events

Goal-Setting For Successful Events

Does your organization host an annual event? What is the purpose of the event and why is it relevant? Do your members know and understand this? Are your guests fully aware of the purpose of the event? Far too often when we meet with NPOs, they are not at all clear why they host an event. And at least half of the stories begin with “a key member of the leadership team wanted an event so they created one.” It takes a great deal of time and money to plan and produce an event, so it is imperative that you...

Cyber Security: How To Protect Yourself In Today’s “Connected” World

Cyber Security: How To Protect Yourself In Today’s “Connected” World

By Guest Blogger: Tony Ulman Security Specialist, Sanders IT Consulting Cybercrime has taken over the conversation of computer security for the past few years, but why? Companies such as Apple, Target, Home Depot, Michael’s, Walmart, Sally’s Beauty Supply, BlueCross BlueShield, Chase Bank, Staples, Neiman Marcus, Jimmy John’s, and countless others have become victims of cybercrime. But what is being taken? Information. Yes, information. Data such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, phone numbers, addresses, and so on. Health information such as patient data records, diagnosis records and medications used. Why is this important to the cybercriminal or hacker, and...

Seven Tips to a More Productive Year for Your Organization

Seven Tips to a More Productive Year for Your Organization

Have you ever had a difficult time getting your committees to focus on the task at hand because they get easily distracted? Does it sometimes feel like every member of your Board is rowing in a different direction? It happens unexpectedly and just when everything seems to be going well. Your organization stands to have an amazing year because the strategic planning has been completed, the team has become clear on the mission and maybe even rebranded the new vision of the organization. The energy is high and everyone is excited about the things to come. Then fast forward six...

Fundraising: Creating a Straighter Path to Revenue Growth

Fundraising: Creating a Straighter Path to Revenue Growth

By Guest Blogger: Sherry Quam Taylor Consultant, QuamTaylor LLC Nonprofit organizations are often staffed with sacrificial leaders striving hard toward achieving admirable missions, full of passion and great ideas to make an even greater impact in the world. At the same time, many are struggling to grow beyond their initial successes. Research indicates that 74% of the 1.4 million charitable organizations registered in the U.S. never reach the $500,000 mark in revenue, and most of these never hire more than five employees (Source: Urban Institute’s Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy). This begs the question: Why is the $500,000 mark such...

Defining Your Value: Reclaiming Relevance to the Community You Serve

Defining Your Value: Reclaiming Relevance to the Community You Serve

By Guest Blogger: Joe McClennan Managing Partner, McClennan Partners Happy New Year! How often did you receive or express that greeting toward the end of December and the beginning of January? In 2017, for a number of my nonprofit clients, the emphasis is on the “New.” Continuing to do what they have always done is no longer possible because of funding cutbacks, change in management philosophy, loss or expected loss of key staff, and/or a call for a deep re-evaluation of what the value proposition now needs to be for the community they serve. In planning and facilitating January Board...

Organizational Operations Versus Organizational Strategy

It is an all-too-familiar scenario when a nonprofit comes to the harsh realization that it has limited resources and manpower to effectively administer its daily operations while trying to carry out the mission and vision in an impactful way. Some organizations are blessed to have a strategic plan and staff, but there is almost always more work to be done than the staff can execute. Other organizations have a limited staff, so the Executive Director often gets distracted by the operational fires that arise, which prevents leadership from focusing on the higher impact items such as fundraising and programming. And...

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Tag Cloud

501c3 Appreciation Association Association Management Big Buzz Idea Group Board Members Board of Directors Communication Communications Core Values Culture Development Digital Marketing Donations Donors Event Planner Event Planning Events Executive Director Fundraising Goal-Setting Gratitude Leadership Marketing mission Networking Nonprofit Nonprofit Board Members Nonprofit Leadership Nonprofit Management Nonprofit Organization NPO Organization Organization's Culture Organizational Growth Outsourcing pandemic Productivity Social Media Sponsors Sponsorship Staff Strategic Planning Virtual Volunteers

Insights Blog Archive

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

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