• Home
  • Our Team
  • Clients
  • What We Do
  • Case Studies
  • Blog
  • Join the Team
  • Contact
  • FAQ

Powering Nonprofits to Fuel Positive Change

773.804.8589
info@bigbuzzideagroup.com
Big Buzz Idea GroupBig Buzz Idea Group
  • Home
  • Our Team
  • Clients
  • What We Do
  • Case Studies
  • Blog
  • Join the Team
  • Contact
  • FAQ

About Amanda Wilson

This author hasn't written their bio yet.
Amanda Wilson has contributed 32 entries to our website, so far.

Virtual Fundraising: 18 Ideas for Nonprofit Revenue

Virtual Fundraising: 18 Ideas for Nonprofit Revenue

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group COVID-19 has wreaked havoc with nonprofit organizations this year, and many organizations have been forced to cancel or postpone their fundraising initiatives. We have seen organizations focus on their individual giving campaigns, and we have heard some greatly inspiring stories about donors who have really stepped up for causes close to their hearts. But on the other side, there are also many NPOs that are not traditional 501c3 organizations. Many of these other organizations do not have access to grants, donations or governmental funding, so what are they to do during...

How to Keep Your Visuals On-Brand

How to Keep Your Visuals On-Brand

By: Lidia Varesco Racoma
Owner of Lidia Varesco Design

Are your organization’s visuals on-brand or have they slowly started to derail?

Between working with multiple team members and outside vendors—plus the popularity of image creation apps like Canva and Adobe Spark—brand visuals can start to become diluted over time.

But fear not, you can maintain successful brand consistency by doing some simple planning and preparation.

Team Culture Exists Beyond the Office Walls

Team Culture Exists Beyond the Office Walls

Sarah Pollock Nonprofit Account Manager Big Buzz Idea Group   Team culture is more than a cake shared in the breakroom for each birthday. While a beloved tradition, the purpose of the birthday cake is to foster positive, company-oriented events that bring the group together beyond the work itself. Team culture, on the other hand, is individually defined within a company; it represents the identity of the team, the dynamics between members, and establishes the interactions and social engagements that define the company. It usually doesn’t even have a designated leader, but organically develops as your team’s dynamics evince the...

The Compelling Case to Renew

The Compelling Case to Renew

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group   Today’s the day to make things happen. It’s time to move forward (while the whole world seems to have stopped, and we watch and wait and wonder and worry). Put aside the feeling of helplessness, that the more we learn, the less we understand what it all means for each of us. That’s the problem with paralysis by analysis: while we’re stuck in the mud and waiting for something, time keeps slippin’ and the world keeps spinnin’… A boulder has been placed in your path. While deciding what to do...

Life After COVID-19: Next Steps for Your Nonprofit

Life After COVID-19: Next Steps for Your Nonprofit

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group COVID-19 entered the news in early January, but it entered our American lives hard in mid-March. For the last three weeks we have gone from “normal” living to modified living to shelter in place. And now we all wait and wonder when these restrictions will lift and when we will be safe to return to “normal” again. Unfortunately, normal will never be the same for any of us. So, what now? Immediate Needs As we all adjust to this new “normal,” it is important to identify your most immediate needs. If...

Big Buzz Has COVID-19 Resources For You!

Big Buzz Has COVID-19 Resources For You!

Many of our partners have been working tirelessly to provide relevant and valuable information to help various nonprofit organizations navigate the ever-changing waters regarding COVID-19. Forefront COVID-19 Resource Page COVID-19 Response Funds Network for Good COVID-19 Resources National Council of Nonprofits COVID-19 Resource Page Bloomerang COVID-19 Resource Page Council of Nonprofits Resources Financial and Strategic Preparedness for COVID-19 Webinar Center for Disaster Philanthropy COVID-19 Arts Community Resources Northstar Meetings Group – How to Monetize Virtual Events   We will continue to update this page as more and more resources become available. Thank you to everyone for their hard work in...

Conference Call Hero – 6 Tips to Master the Art of Video and Audio Conferencing

Conference Call Hero – 6 Tips to Master the Art of Video and Audio Conferencing

By: Brad Ball Vice President Big Buzz Idea Group According to a 2017 Gallup study, nearly one half of the American workforce spends at least some time working from home (WFH). While the study doesn’t specifically identify nonprofit professionals as part of the inquiry, experience tells us that WFH is becoming more commonplace all the way around. One of the more important ways to connect when team members or volunteers are working from home is via the conference call. Available as both dial-in audio-only and increasingly common video conference, here’s a list of how to conference like a pro. Know...

Cancelling or Postponing Your Events in Light of COVID-19

Cancelling or Postponing Your Events in Light of COVID-19

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group   We watched the world change, hour by hour, for several days until landing in our current “Shelter in Place” status. Initially, as the country began to respond to the coronavirus, we started to feel the impact on our nonprofit events, but they didn’t appear to be in the direct line of fire. But then on March 15th, the CDC issued new guidelines that stated that all gatherings with more than 50 people should be cancelled until at least May 12, 2020. The initial potential impact was now an impending multi-car...

Becoming a Virtual Event Planner in an Instant

Becoming a Virtual Event Planner in an Instant

By: Amanda Wilson Nonprofit Account Manager Big Buzz Idea Group   Imagine we’re in the year 2000 and a respiratory virus is spreading throughout the world, causing all events and social gatherings to be canceled and forcing businesses to close. The internet, while gaining traction, is still rudimentary. Google was invented only two years prior and popular websites like Wikipedia, MySpace or Facebook are still years away. With mandates to socially isolate to help stop the spread of this disease, meetings would cease and businesses would have been unable to maintain daily operations. Additional programming like professional development seminars would...

Organic Methods to Cultivate Sponsorship Leads

Organic Methods to Cultivate Sponsorship Leads

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group   When clients come to us wanting to start a sponsorship program, they often start rattling off the national and/or international companies that they want to target for sponsorships. Of course, it is natural for people to immediately think of the companies that have multi-billion dollar budgets and presume that all of these large benefactors will want to support the cause. But the reality is that thousands and thousands of other nonprofits are also thinking the same thing, so the sheer volume of asks going into that particular company each day...

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

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

Sign up for Insights newsletter

Select list(s) to subscribe to

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 Funding Fundraising Goal-Setting Gratitude Leadership management Marketing mission Networking Nonprofit Nonprofit Board Members Nonprofit Leadership Nonprofit Management Nonprofit Organization NPO Organization Organization's Culture Outsourcing pandemic Productivity Social Media Sponsors Sponsorship Staff Strategic Planning Virtual

Insights Blog Archive

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

Contact Us

Want more info? Have a question? Send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Send Message
Spark the growth and power of your organization. Schedule your FREE consultation today. Let's Connect

CONTACT INFO

  • Big Buzz Idea Group
  • 4055 W. Peterson Ave., #105 Chicago, IL 60646
  • 773.804.8589
  • 773.804.8986
  • info@bigbuzzideagroup.com

Connect with us

Proud Member:

© 2021 — Big Buzz Idea Group

  • Home
  • Our Team
  • Clients
  • What We Do
  • Case Studies
  • Blog
  • Join the Team
  • Contact
  • FAQ