Mapping out the ecosystem that social justice work exists within allows nonprofits to look at the cause and community that you are serving, holistically. Ecosystem theory further enables nonprofits to examine where an organization might have service gaps and also helps surface opportunities to create partnerships and build power collectively through coalitions.

In this opportunity we have Kerri Feazell, founder of Concurrent Productions, a production company offering high-quality, emotionally authentic brand story videos to businesses in Southern California and beyond. She will share in this blog her experience creating amazing content for nonprofit organizations .

Grant emergencies are nobody’s friend yet we can sometimes find ourselves caught in the middle of an eleventh-hour submission, sweating bullets and panicking as every second speeds by.

More and more grantmakers are asking grantseekers to submit a brief letter of inquiry or intent (LOI) to screen before allowing them to submit a full proposal. Making a strong and concise case for why you are a good fit for their funding is the first critical step to getting a foundation grant.

Metrics are, at their core, a way of measuring something. The social impact of your nonprofit may be nebulous, but when you write down your progress and goals in actual numbers, the bigger picture comes into focus.

When it comes to your start-up non-profit, there seem to be a constant stream of to-dos. It’s tempting to dive into perfunctory tasks  - easy ones that promise immediate results – before grounding yourself with structural work that might seem methodical or overwhelming. Before you throw yourself into choosing the perfect font for your organization’s letterhead, make sure you’re not putting off building a solid foundation.

This month we will review one of the of database solutions that Mockingbird Analytics has identified as suitable for non-profit organizations at varying levels of size and data requirements.

When is it the right time to take the leap into purchasing and implementing a data management system?

Applying for a grant can be a lot more work that simply answering questions and filling out applications. Many funders require detailed evidence of your organization, to develop a full picture of who you are and what your organization does. Their goal is to get to know you very well before they hand over thousands (or millions, if we’re lucky) of dollars to complete strangers who are making lofty promises. Therefore, your goal is to make sure you have everything you need, so you’re ready for whatever they throw at you.

Thanking your donors is one of the most important aspects of fundraising. Properly thanking your donors can often mean the difference between getting another grant/gift from that donor and being passed over for the next ask.

When the idea for a nonprofit is still just a hint of an inkling in the back of your mind, you might be wondering how to make your dreams a reality. In the coming months, we’ll discuss ways to start your nonprofit and get it off the ground.

Don’t be scared of these grant writing situations!

What do you envision after deciding to start your nonprofit? Grateful participants shaking your hand? Ostentatiously shiny award statues being handed to you for your contributions? Lavish fundraisers, perhaps with shrimp cocktail? Before you settle in and drift off to the dull roar of thunderous applause from the loving community you’ve helped, you’ll need to do a serious reality check. Take a look through this checklist to keep your goals on track!

Data visualization is a complex and involved practice; let’s take a quick look into how to make data more palatable.

Surveys are crucial to collect data and understand the people you are working with. Writing and asking the right type of question is vital to gather the best results. Phrasing is so important when it comes to data collection. There are three main types of questions and each are useful and necessary to create the most robust survey possible. By breaking down each category, you will learn how to write the best questionnaire. So, let’s get started.

Social Media: everybody uses it, but how do you know when you’re using it right? We decided to delve into some social media research and find out the current ‘best practices’ to help you and your non-profit connect to your followers and build your platform.

What if everyone you knew approved of everything you did? What if all of your ideas were greeted with enthusiastic nods, your projects were stamped with gold stars, and your reports were eagerly approved without hesitation?

Here are some tips to keeping that shiny new database in tiptop shape, in order to best suit your organization’s need and ensure successful program evaluation.

Building relationships with current and potential funders is necessary in every aspect of fundraising, even grant writing.