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4 Ways Outsourcing Your Development Work Can Provide Value

4 Ways Outsourcing Your Development Work Can Provide Value

Three Nonprofit Leaders Share the Benefits of Enlisting Outside Support for Development Assistance By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group For nonprofits with a small development department—or perhaps none at all—outsourcing is a valuable option. In our work at Big Buzz, we provide support with fundraising, events, communications, database management, marketing and more, offering a deeply impactful value to nonprofit organizations. But you don’t have to take our word for it. This month, we talked to three client partners to hear (directly from them) about the value they saw in outsourcing development work. Here are the main benefits...

Time to Assess Your Year-End Campaigns

Time to Assess Your Year-End Campaigns

By: Sarah Pollock Nonprofit Account Manager Big Buzz Idea Group In the last quarter of what has been a very unpredictable year, everyone is fighting with full force towards their year-end campaigns. With a drastic change in the economy, this year has included more asks and more widespread campaigning from nonprofits, and funding sources, themselves, have to be as strategic as the askers. Though workloads have increased, sifting through donor lists and segmenting campaign asks – tasks which always seem to end up on the back burner as tedious and time-consuming – need to become your immediate goal. The development strategy needs to face three questions: How many donor lists do you currently have? How many times has each donor been asked for a...

Our Top Five Free Online Tools for Nonprofit Management Teams

Our Top Five Free Online Tools for Nonprofit Management Teams

By: Brad Ball Vice President Big Buzz Idea Group Whether you are well-seasoned in your nonprofit management career, just starting out at an entry-level nonprofit job or somewhere in the middle, you most likely spend a good deal of time in the digital workspace. In this post, we’re going to tell you about our top five favorite online tools to make your life easier and keep your nonprofit organization running smoothly without spending a penny. DESIGN: Canva We’ve written about this one before and it’s worth mentioning again because it’s such a powerful tool for your nonprofit marketing team. Keep...

Financial Planning for Uncertain Times

Financial Planning for Uncertain Times

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group Does your organization have a reserve fund? According to an annual survey conducted by the National Council of Nonprofits, less than 25% of the survey participants had six months of reserves. The majority had less than three months of operating reserves, and 10% had less than 30 days cash on hand. Many nonprofit organizations have budgets that have them eking through the year with a minimal surplus or worse yet, a financial loss. Why any board member would disregard fiduciary responsibilities and approve a negative budget is beyond me, but that...

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...

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...

Tips For Meaningful #GivingTuesday Follow-Up

Tips For Meaningful #GivingTuesday Follow-Up

By: Lidia Varesco Racoma Owner, Lidia Varesco Design You did it—you made it through #GivingTuesday! But your work is not done yet. Take advantage of the momentum of your campaign: Follow up with your donors and supporters, create meaningful connections that will last throughout the year, and use the insights gathered this year to inspire next year’s campaign. Say thank you—and share results Thank your supporters on social media and share the results of your campaign as well as the impact it has on the people your serve. Sharing a video thank you from the organization’s founder or leaders can...

The Hidden Costs Behind Your Fundraiser

The Hidden Costs Behind Your Fundraiser

By: Melissa Lagowski Founder, CEO and Queen Bee, Big Buzz Idea Group It happened again last week. A nonprofit organization called to discuss their annual gala, describing how much money they want to raise while lamenting that they have no budget to hire a planner to assist them. Shortest conversation ever. They’re married to this event, though, so who will they find to do the work, and does that appear in the event budget? If they don’t outsource, then they self-produce, which comes at a cost. And staffing costs are a line item expense, so if they aren’t even identified, then...

Nonprofit Form 990: Friend or Foe?

Nonprofit Form 990: Friend or Foe?

By: Sherry Quam Taylor Founder, QuamTaylor LLC   When I started in nonprofit years ago I had no idea what a Form 990 was – all those numbers and check-boxes seemed like a lot of painful information for someone to fill out. Frankly, I didn’t understand what most of it meant. I’ve put off filing because of “more important” business and have admittedly filed a few extensions myself. But that was before I understood the importance of this little gem of a document. You want your donors to see you as a transparent partner, right? You want them to see...

New Year’s Resolutions for Board Members

New Year’s Resolutions for Board Members

By: Gail Perry President, Gail Perry Associates Philanthropy Consultants   It’s the New Year – and it’s a great time to make smart resolutions for the future! This post is a perennial favorite with my readers – I’ve updated it for this year. Here are some ideas for nonprofit board members – to help everyone get started on the right foot for the year and keep on track as we launch into the new year. You might find that these ideas will open up some interesting discussions – about expectations, attitudes and actions needed from ALL board members.   How...

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Insights Blog Archive

  • The Taxman Cometh (Yes, Even For Your Exempt Organization)
  • Why Is My Organization Not Growing?
  • Meet Big Buzz, the Creators of Ribfest Chicago
  • 3 Tips For Maintaining Your NPO’s Digital Assets
  • SPONSORSHIP 101: Growing Nonprofit Revenues
  • Please Send a Hi-res Copy of Your Logo
  • Holding On When You Feel Like Throwing In the Towel
  • Implementing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Your Nonprofit
  • The Hidden Costs Behind Your Fundraiser
  • Four Step Process to Building Better Buy-In
  • Why Your Nonprofit Needs Brand Guidelines
  • Engage Your Board – Start with Recruiting and End with A High-Performance Culture
  • How to Keep Your Visuals On-Brand
  • Make Your Nonprofit Stand Out: Creating Impressions for Impact
  • 10 Tips to Cultivate Sponsor Relationships
  • Client Spotlight: Cyberjutsu
  • How to Develop Your Nonprofit’s Audience Persona
  • Post-Pandemic Event Lessons
  • How to Secure Mega Sponsorships For Your Fundraising Event!
  • 3 Reasons Why Your Organization Should Use Canva
  • Four Pillars to Attracting and Retaining Ideal Employees
  • Board Nominating: A Better Way
  • Tips to Ensure Event Safety
  • Organizational Operations Versus Organizational Strategy
  • 50 Content Promotion Tactics: How to Drive Traffic to Your Next Article
  • Put Some Zing in Your Zoom (Or Any Other Virtual Meeting)
  • Cross-Train Your Team for Better Outcomes
  • How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media to Meet Goals
  • Chart a Path for Nonprofit Success
  • Big Buzz Idea Group Launches Additional Services
  • Big Buzz Has COVID-19 Resources For You!
  • Cancelling or Postponing Your Events in Light of COVID-19
  • Our Top Five Free Online Tools for Nonprofit Management Teams
  • To Be Successful, Nonprofits and Associations Must Be Forward-Thinking
  • Fostering Board Engagement in Virtual Times
  • Nonprofit Form 990: Friend or Foe?
  • SPONSORSHIP 101: To Package or Not to Package
  • How to Rewire Your Brain with Positive Thinking
  • Something Good: Building Your Team’s Connection
  • Grateful for Nonprofit Leaders
  • Budgeting for Your Nonprofit in Uncertain Times
  • Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part I
  • Outsourcing: The Only Solution To Staffing Shortages
  • Organic Methods to Cultivate Sponsorship Leads
  • Spend Less. Do More. Your Guide to Effective Outsourcing
  • Goal-Setting For Successful Events
  • Tips For Meaningful #GivingTuesday Follow-Up
  • How to Hire a Consultant
  • Self-Care: A Necessity for Successful Leadership
  • Making a Case for Strategic Planning
  • 11 Tips to Make Your Newsletter More Readable
  • Interim Directors Provide Strength in Times of Transition
  • Client Spotlight: Hope For The Day
  • Crisis Management: Are You Ready?
  • Team Culture Exists Beyond the Office Walls
  • Client Spotlight: Illinois Theatre Association
  • Board or Bored Leadership – Enter the Magnificent Seven
  • Does Your Mission Have a Compelling Voice?
  • The 3 Mistakes I Made Managing a Nonprofit
  • Leveraging E-Newsletters For Nonprofit Growth
  • Transparency and Nonprofit Organizations
  • Networking for Personal and Professional Growth
  • Talk to Me! Prioritizing Internal Communications During Times of Transition
  • Four Tactics to Resolve Nonprofit Staffing Shortages
  • If You’re Feeling Hopeless of Late, Remember That Your Work Matters and You Do, Too
  • Securing Help from Your Board: Are You Ready?
  • Lessons Learned in Nonprofit Management
  • 5 Ways to Generate Sponsor Leads
  • 6 Tips for Healthy Collaboration with Your Board Chair
  • Nonprofit Event Venues 101
  • Celebrate You and Avoid Nonprofit Burnout
  • Seven Tips to a More Productive Year for Your Organization
  • How To Secure More Donor Dollars
  • Communication Tips to Advance Your Organization
  • Clearer Communication Is the Secret to Better Outcomes
  • Cyber Security: How To Protect Yourself In Today’s “Connected” World
  • Why You Need to Establish Gratitude as a Pillar at Your Nonprofit
  • 4 Ways Outsourcing Your Development Work Can Provide Value
  • The Compelling Case to Renew
  • Optimize Your Contact List for Nonprofit Growth
  • 6 Tips for Cultivating Gratitude in the Workplace
  • Should You Ever Cover Board Member Expenses?
  • Time to Assess Your Year-End Campaigns
  • The Benefits of Outsourcing
  • Leadership Starts with You
  • Re-Imagine the Possibilities to Better Serve Your Mission
  • A Job Gone Wrong
  • Boost Your Daily Productivity
  • Defining Your Value: Reclaiming Relevance to the Community You Serve
  • The Birth of a New Vision
  • Want To Retain Your Employees? Wellness in the Workplace Matters!
  • Promotion Ideas to Benefit Your Nonprofit – Part II
  • The Board’s Hot (Summer) Topics
  • Fundraising: Creating a Straighter Path to Revenue Growth
  • How to Manage Your Organization During an Election Year Without Violating Your Nonprofit Status
  • Virtual Fundraising: 18 Ideas for Nonprofit Revenue
  • Silver Linings Discovered Amidst a Pandemic
  • 3 Questions to Ask If You Hope to Grow Your Membership
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  • Innovative Approach to Volunteer Recruitment
  • Word of the Year: Manifestation
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  • Conference Call Hero – 6 Tips to Master the Art of Video and Audio Conferencing
  • DIY Event Photos
  • 5 Reasons to Outsource Instead of Rely on Volunteers
  • Becoming a Virtual Event Planner in an Instant
  • New Year’s Resolutions for Board Members
  • Should Sponsorships Include Membership Dues?
  • Life After COVID-19: Next Steps for Your Nonprofit
  • The Need to Go Beyond Surveys
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  • 2020: A Lesson in Gratitude
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  • Real Progress Requires Intention: What Do You Want to Achieve in 2020 for Your Nonprofit?
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  • Are You Leaving Money On The Table?
  • Take Time to Evaluate Your Events
  • Is Your Marketing Missing the Mark?
  • What’s Your Nonprofit’s Story
  • 4 Productivity Tips to Elevate Your Nonprofit
  • Why Identifying and Communicating Your Core Values Is Important
  • 9 Lessons Learned from Our First Virtual Conference
  • 7 Tips for Managing Hybrid Events
  • Keep Your Mission in Mind to Maximize Results
  • 5 Tips for Prioritizing Your Mental Health in the Workplace

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