• 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

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: […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
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 […]

Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • …
  • 16
  • 17

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

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

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