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Powering Nonprofits to Fuel Positive Change

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Our Blog

Goal-Setting For Successful Events

Goal-Setting For Successful Events

Posted by Devin Ball

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 […]

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

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

Posted by Devin Ball

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 […]

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Seven Tips to a More Productive Year for Your Organization

Seven Tips to a More Productive Year for Your Organization

Posted by Devin Ball

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 […]

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Fundraising: Creating a Straighter Path to Revenue Growth

Fundraising: Creating a Straighter Path to Revenue Growth

Posted by Devin Ball

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 […]

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Defining Your Value: Reclaiming Relevance to the Community You Serve

Defining Your Value: Reclaiming Relevance to the Community You Serve

Posted by Devin Ball

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 […]

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Organizational Operations Versus Organizational Strategy

Posted by Devin Ball

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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Does Your Mission Have a Compelling Voice?

Does Your Mission Have a Compelling Voice?

Posted by Devin Ball

By Guest Blogger: Pon Angara Principal, Barkada Creative “I was born in prison. My mother had just been sentenced to 7 years. And by the time I was a freshman in high school, I was already addicted to crystal meth. People would look at me with disgust, my family in particular.” “Life was hard for me growing up. I had no dad to look up to. I had no role model. My older brother was in and out of prison. I didn’t know what to do, so I started gang banging.” What images come to mind about the characters making […]

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Making a Case for Strategic Planning

Making a Case for Strategic Planning

Posted by Devin Ball

By Guest Blogger: Kimberly Bares President, PLACE Consulting “I’ve always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific.” — Lily Tomlin It’s that time of the year when organizations reflect on the past year’s successes and misses and begin the process of preparing for 2017. Based on my experience in leading strategic planning with dozens of nonprofits, the best of them use their strategic plan to guide that evaluation. What do you do, though, when your organization doesn’t see the value in the process or thinks it’s a waste of time or money? I’ve […]

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Transparency and Nonprofit Organizations

Transparency and Nonprofit Organizations

Posted by Melissa Lagowski

It was 2004 when a local nonprofit org (NPO) came to me and asked, “Can you review our project for us?” They had been working with a professional event planner, expecting that the agency would make their annual event more successful than ever before – but in reality, the gross profit had tripled while the net profit had been somehow cut in half. Big Buzz Idea Group was borne out of that project review. I found it difficult to believe that the NPO wasn’t getting all that it was expecting, and it seemed clear that they had been taken advantage […]

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The Birth of a New Vision

The Birth of a New Vision

Posted by Melissa Lagowski

In the summer of 2015, I was having lunch with a friend at Navy Pier, talking about how hard Big Buzz works to make an impact in the nonprofit arena. That conversation stuck with me for weeks. All I could think about was how we could make a bigger impact in the nonprofit sector than we were currently making. A few weeks later while driving down Lake Shore Drive, it hit me: Big Buzz Idea Group needed to offer more than just event planning services! After a quick assessment of my years of nonprofit service, I realized that I had […]

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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

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

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