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:...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
By Melissa Lagowski Founder/CEO/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group Every time we interact with another person, we make an impression. Each interaction—especially our very first one with someone—is an opportunity to establish a genuine connection and build a positive relationship. A business may call it a “brand image” or “company image,” but this concept applies to a nonprofit too. Your organization creates its own “brand image” through each touchpoint it has with donors, volunteers, people you serve, and others in the community. Have you paused to think about all those touchpoints and what type of impression your organization is making?...
