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Powering Nonprofits to Fuel Positive Change

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Client Spotlight: Cyberjutsu

Client Spotlight: Cyberjutsu

Name/Title: Mari Galloway, CEO & Founding Board Member What is your organization and mission? Cyberjutsu is a 501c3 cybersecurity community for women to grow and build their #cyberjutsutribe. We empower women to network and lead in the cybersecurity space through hands-on workshops, cyber games, professional development, conference participation, leadership and volunteer opportunities, and more. How many years do you have in the nonprofit industry? 10 Your nonprofit community. Your team. Your mission. Your Board of Directors. Your events. Your volunteers. Your sponsors. How do you manage it all day to day? I don’t, lol. Just kidding. But I wonder about...

How to Hire a Consultant

How to Hire a Consultant

By Brad Ball Vice President Big Buzz Idea Group As an association management company and nonprofit consultant, we’ve written extensively about the benefits of outsourcing for your organization. Outsourcing can help you navigate a tight job market or hiring market, ensuring that tasks are performed by competent professionals and the office is running efficiently throughout the hiring process. It can cost less than hiring new staff, is more reliable than counting on volunteers, and can even allow you to bring in an expert with a specific skillset you need for a limited time. With more and more complex tasks and responsibilities...

Silver Linings Discovered Amidst a Pandemic

Silver Linings Discovered Amidst a Pandemic

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group We have always known that, out of necessity, nonprofit organizations are incredibly nimble and resilient. Over the last 12 months, organizations have made quick pivots and showed great commitment and creativity to the missions they serve. Now that it has been a full year of life with COVID-19, we asked our clients if they had any unexpected positive results from the pandemic. Here is what they had to say:   Rogers Park Business Alliance “We added video interviews to our Small Business Saturday event in 2020. The pivot to video for...

3 Questions to Ask If You Hope to Grow Your Membership

3 Questions to Ask If You Hope to Grow Your Membership

By: Brad Ball Vice President Big Buzz Idea Group If boosting membership is a key goal for your organization, we’ve got three questions to kick off your strategic planning. To add some context, we spoke with Lynsey Sorrell, the Vice President of Membership for the Ely Chapter of Lambda Alpha International, the Honorary Society for the Advancement of Land Economics. As one of our valued association management clients, she was able to share some of the impactful ways we’ve worked together to improve her organization’s membership. Read on for our thought-starters to move your own membership forward. 1. How can...

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...

How to Manage Your Organization During an Election Year Without Violating Your Nonprofit Status

How to Manage Your Organization During an Election Year Without Violating Your Nonprofit Status

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group During an election year, people within your nonprofit may want to support political causes and candidates. What does this mean for your 501(c)(3) organization? To maintain tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code, your organization cannot directly or indirectly participate in a political campaign to support or oppose a candidate for elected office. This means your nonprofit cannot show political bias. You may not, in any way, indicate that the organization favors or opposes a candidate. Your organization cannot make political statements or endorsements in favor of one candidate or make...

Real Progress Requires Intention: What Do You Want to Achieve in 2020 for Your Nonprofit?

Real Progress Requires Intention: What Do You Want to Achieve in 2020 for Your Nonprofit?

By: Melissa Lagowski CEO/Founder/Queen Bee Big Buzz Idea Group In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, December can fly by quickly and it is the New Year before we realize it. For many executive directors and nonprofit leaders, December may be no busier than the rest of the year. But this month, do something special for yourself. Carve out some time when you can be alone without the interruptions of your team, your Board or your email. Turn off your phone and truly focus on your thoughts for an extended period of time. This is an ideal time to...

Why You Need to Establish Gratitude as a Pillar at Your Nonprofit

Why You Need to Establish Gratitude as a Pillar at Your Nonprofit

By: Melissa Lagowski Founder, CEO and Queen Bee, Big Buzz Idea Group With Thanksgiving upon us, it seems like everyone is talking about gratitude. (To be fair, it’s always top of mind around here-gratitude is one of our core values at Big Buzz!) Is there anything better than feeling appreciated? For nonprofits, acknowledging the contributions of those people directly tied to your organization is important. A simple, inspirational gesture of appreciation cultivates a sense of community, generosity and support for your mission. WHO to Thank Think about all of the people who are a part of your organization. They keep...

To Be Successful, Nonprofits and Associations Must Be Forward-Thinking

To Be Successful, Nonprofits and Associations Must Be Forward-Thinking

By: Melissa Lagowski Founder, CEO and Queen Bee, Big Buzz Idea Group “Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” ~Albert Einstein Do you feel like your organization is in a rut? Does it seem like no matter what you do, your budget hasn’t seen growth and programs don’t expand as you had anticipated? Are you still struggling with staffing shortages or failing to fill those seats on the Board with engaged leaders? It is not uncommon for nonprofit organizations to rollover their same plan from year to year, but the reality is that if you...

Should You Ever Cover Board Member Expenses?

Should You Ever Cover Board Member Expenses?

By: Joan Garry Principal and Founder, Joan Garry Consulting  When my wife ran The Food Network, she often got 911 calls during Thanksgiving week. “Eileen, do you brine your turkey?”   “What’s your favorite stuffing recipe?”   It was actually hilarious. Eileen is a very good cook mind you but she would respond to all callers the same way. “I am not a chef; I make TV shows.” As for me, I get more than my fair share of 911 calls. Some folks expect me to be an accountant, a human resources professional and oh my, lots of folks ask me...

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Check Out These Recent Posts

  • Client Spotlight: Hope For The Day
  • Chart a Path for Nonprofit Success
  • Are You Leaving Money On The Table?
  • Client Spotlight: Cyberjutsu
  • Employee Retention Tax Credit Yields Powerful Opportunity
  • Client Spotlight: Illinois Theatre Association
  • The 3 Mistakes I Made Managing a Nonprofit

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Insights Blog Archive

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

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

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