Blackbaud

DECEMBER 23, 2024

When your nonprofit is just getting started, your budget for an accounting system is likely very close to $0. Those low-cost tools can be a great way to launch and gain momentum, but there comes a point for every nonprofit when the time it takes to manage your fund accounting workarounds outweighs the cost of upgrading your system.

Finance 105

Finance Organizational Budget Budget Nonprofit 105

Blackbaud

JANUARY 9, 2025

Find the Right Number for Your Nonprofit Operating Reserves The Nonprofit Operating Reserves Initiative (NORI) Workgroup suggests that the minimum operating reserve ratio at the lowest point during the year should be 25 percent, or about three months of the annual operating expense budget. However, this is not a universal benchmark.

Contracts 100

Contracts Contract Budget Nonprofit 100

Blackbaud

MAY 6, 2024

Like a good recipe, your nonprofit budget requires high-quality ingredients, easy-to-follow steps, and a knowledgeable cook or two to put it together. Here are a few simple steps to help you create a solid budget that helps your organization allocate resources effectively and makes your budgeting process easier.

Budget 117

Budget Strategic Plan Finance Insurance 117

Blackbaud

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

Maintaining compliance can protect existing funding, as well. The Importance of Accurate Time Allocation for Nonprofits Accurate time allocation is a cornerstone for nonprofit organizations, especially those with grant funding. Grants often come with specific stipulations on how funds should be allocated and reported.

Grant 99

Grant Grants Indirect Cost Budget 99

Candid

DECEMBER 20, 2023

After all, the only way you can fulfill your organization’s mission is if you can bring in the funding you need to support your programs and initiatives. You should also have a plan for how to effectively manage your funding, which is where your financial strategy comes into play.

Budget 108

Budget Strategic Plan Nonprofit Goals 108

Blackbaud

FEBRUARY 14, 2025

Its hard to choose to put funds into operating reserves when that could help one more person transition out of homelessness. By tapping into operating reserves, organizations can bridge temporary gaps in funding without compromising their immediate operations.

Management 98

Management Policy Policies Budget 98

Blackbaud

JANUARY 13, 2025

Why Organizations Should Experiment with Revenue Diversity Even when your revenue channels are strong, nonprofits should always be experimenting with their funding models. Factor in all costs, including staff time, and forecast different scenariosbest case, worst case, and most likelyto understand the impact on your budget.

Finance 105

Finance Strategic Plan Consulting Consultant 105

Greater Giving

JULY 23, 2024

This blog post will equip you with ten creative live auction ideas perfect for small nonprofits. Pro Tips for Live Auction Success on a Budget Storytelling is Key: Craft a compelling narrative for each item, highlighting the unique experience it offers. But for smaller nonprofits, securing high-priced items can feel daunting.

Budget 100

Budget Pass-Through Transportation Nonprofit 100

AmpliFund

MARCH 13, 2024

In our recent webinar, I detailed ways to improve grant budgeting and ease financial reporting. Key considerations for your budget planning process: Strong financial planning in the early grant stages sets the stage for successful program implementation and reporting.

Budget 103

Budget Amplifund Grant Grants 103

Blackbaud

MAY 3, 2024

With multiple points of accountability and dynamic funding sources, accounting professionals in community health centers face complex challenges. And with that form of funding comes significant compliance requirements. With fund accounting software, you get an extra level of control over grant expense tracking and reporting.

Funding 102

Funding Budget Software Grant 102

Blackbaud

MAY 27, 2024

It’s budget season, and the spreadsheet chaos has begun. You want to document your process to save yourself valuable time next budget season. You want to be able to easily report on budgets in a variety of accurate, clear ways without too much fuss, and know what was approved versus what’s been modified. What if it raises more?

Budget 59

Budget Software Funding Utilities 59

Blackbaud

APRIL 2, 2024

To meet those requirements, you’ll need to be able to successfully track and manage your grants and effectively report on how you allocated these funds. If you are a grant-funded organization, it will be important to manage spending restrictions and meet reporting requirements. Tracking: Cut Out the Spreadsheets!

Indirect Cost 114

Indirect Cost Indirect Funding Software 114

Blackbaud

OCTOBER 28, 2024

As the Center for Disaster Philanthropy notes in their tips for disaster giving, funders should be patient in planning their disaster funding, because the impact of the disaster will unfold over time. Your community will need flexible funding throughout the recovery period.

Policy 81

Policy Policies Funding Readiness 81

Blackbaud

APRIL 16, 2025

The finance team shoulders immense responsibility to make sure funds are well-stewarded, often while being understaffed and under-resourced. A well-thought-out system can do the following automatically: Track Funding Sources Nonprofits often receive funding from diverse sources , such as grants, donations, sponsorships, and events.

Finance 75

Finance Budget Nonprofit Management 75

Blackbaud

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

Nonprofit organizations need funding and support, whether through in-kind contributions, skilled volunteers, or monetary donations. An advantage of participating in disaster response appeals is that companies stepping up gain positive recognition and stakeholders can trust that their funds are going to a reputable organization.

Donation 96

Donation Training Funding Readiness 96

Candid

DECEMBER 19, 2023

To celebrate you, our amazing community of readers, we look back at the Candid blogs that resonated the most with you this year. We hope you enjoy rediscovering and reflecting on the 10 most-read Candid blogs of 2023. If you want to boost your nonprofit’s discoverability online, this blog on Google Ad Grants is a worthwhile read.

Burnout 105

Burnout Letter Of Inquiry Proposal Grant 105

Blackbaud

APRIL 8, 2024

All in unrestricted funds with no reporting necessary. While nonprofits will hopefully see an increase in unrestricted funds—and a decrease in burdensome reporting requirements—as part of this and other movements, good nonprofit accounting principles still apply. What Are Restricted Funds? What are Unrestricted Funds?

Funding 110

Funding Indirect Cost Pass-Through Donation 110

Greater Giving

OCTOBER 15, 2024

However, effective procurement requires a strategic approach so you can use your nonprofit’s resources wisely and maximize the amount of event funding you can put toward your mission. The post 5 Tips for Securing Appealing Nonprofit Auction Items appeared first on Greater Giving Blog. Let’s dive in! Happy fundraising!

Procurement 103

Procurement Nonprofit Budget Donation 103

Blackbaud

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Your food bank needs accounting software that can help you manage a variety of funding sources while also helping you make strategic, data-driven decisions based on inventory and forecasted community demand. Provide clear stewardship for restricted funds. Improve transparency by communicating the status of your restricted fund balance.

Funding 96

Funding Award Budget Pass-Through 96

Think and Ink Grants

NOVEMBER 30, 2024

Grant writing is a vital skill for local nonprofits seeking funding to support their missions. This blog will explore key strategies and tips to enhance your grant writing skills, helping your organization to secure the funding it deserves. Moreover, understanding the vision and mission of the funding organization is pivotal.

Grant Writing 52

Grant Writing Grant Grants Proposal 52

Blackbaud

APRIL 10, 2024

You know how important it is to manage your funds according to their purpose and source. Or do you have to rely on manual workarounds, spreadsheets, and guesswork to track and report on your restricted funds? Without fund accounting software, tracking at that level of detail must be done manually outside the system.

Funding 111

Funding Management Software Finance 111

Think and Ink Grants

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Grant writing is a vital skill for nonprofits, artists, and educators in Atlanta, aimed at securing funding to enhance community projects and initiatives. This blog delves into the nuances of grant writing, exploring best practices, resources, and success stories from the heart of Georgia. Networking opportunities abound as well.

Grant Writing 52

Grant Writing Grant Grants Proposal 52

Blackbaud

JANUARY 23, 2025

Those who have discovered and leveraged it are successfully unlocking new opportunities by maximizing their complimentary ad budget to drive donor engagement, increase event attendance, and raise awareness of their programs and initiatives. Campaigns must maintain a minimum 5% click-through rate (CTR).

Grant 99

Grant Grants Utilities Nonprofit 99

Blackbaud

MARCH 3, 2025

But how do you justify spending money on a budgeting tool instead of supplies for an after-school program? Would this investment speed up budgeting, provide more accurate data, or mitigate risk? Limited funds and time often mean that investing in technology can take away from program activities. Be sure to clearly lay that out.

Finance 73

Finance Strategic Plan Proposal Goals 73

Blackbaud

MARCH 10, 2025

Show You Have Nothing to Hide in Allocation of Funds Blackbaud Institute research found 76% of donors are concerned about what portion of their donation goes to overhead. Or, if a donor wants to know where their funds are going, pull up an accountability summary of the gift. This is how you maintain trust.

Finance 78

Finance Fundraising Software Budget 78

Grant Training Center

JANUARY 16, 2023

That you, your team , and institution are capable of succeeding if funded. The Budget (1-2 paragraphs) should be abbreviated; save the detail for the complete proposal. The post The Letter That Will Get You Funded appeared first on Grant Training Center Blog. Get feedback from your colleagues.

Letter Of Intent 96

Letter Of Intent LOI Funding Proposal 96

Candid

JANUARY 4, 2023

Pledges were made to reduce barriers, shift power, and engage in more equitable funding practices. The information gathered through Demographics via Candid will also contribute to a universal picture of the sector and how it is working to encourage more equitable funding practices. Partnering to advance equitable funding practices.

Demographics 111

Demographics Funding Grant Management Budget 111

Blackbaud

MARCH 24, 2025

And with the potential for reduced government funding, CHWs play a critical role in advancing health equity. Their work ensures that patients transition smoothly from hospital to community care, which is vital when hospital resources are strained due to budget cuts. What does a Community Health Worker Do?

Transportation 75

Transportation Government Policy Policies 75

Allied Grant Writers

DECEMBER 23, 2024

Grant writing is a critical skill for securing funding for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and individuals. In this blog, well break down the components of grant writing, analyze time estimates, and offer tips to streamline the process, highlighting the importance of calculating average hours for grant writing.

Grant Writing 52

Grant Writing Grant Grants Proposal 52

Just Write Grants

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

In this blog post, we’ll explore the typical issues nonprofits face during the grant writing process and offer practical solutions to overcome them. Budgeting and Financials 5.1 Challenge Creating a detailed and accurate budget that aligns with the grant’s requirements can be complex. Time Constraints 1.1 Meeting Deadlines 6.1

Grant Writing 52

Grant Writing Grant Grants Proposal 52

Strategic Grants

MAY 12, 2024

Working closely with hundreds of for-purpose / non-profit organisations, Strategic Grants often assists in navigating the complexities of securing Trusts and Foundations (T&F) funding. Proposal development Writing compelling grant applications and funder proposals is another essential for securing funding from Trusts and Foundations.

Funding 99

Funding Proposal Grant Management Grant 99

Blackbaud

JULY 3, 2024

A Director of Finance at a nonprofit shared this sentiment with us during our research on the value of AI in fund accounting. AI in fund accounting has the power to drive deeper analysis and increased efficiency across your nonprofit accounting team, with the right safeguards for accuracy and privacy. Not bookkeeping.

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AI Finance Funding Training 103

Strategic Grants

MARCH 20, 2024

When a funder invites your organisation to reapply year on year for project funding, it shows you’re a trusted partner. By submitting robust and transparent funding reports complete with outcomes data, full expenditure breakdown and comprehensive project delivery details. The result?

Funding 99

Funding Grant Grants Proposal 99

Blackbaud

MARCH 31, 2025

But its difficult to drive impact when your grantees cant access their funds, arent sure when the funds are arriving, and dont have a clear understanding of their requirements for using the funds. Start by making it simple for grantees to track the status of fund transfers.

Grant 53

Grant Grants Grant Management Award 53

Blackbaud

APRIL 4, 2024

Let’s face it—budget planning can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for nonprofits. Do we have the funds this year to maintain our programs? Most organizations face frequent budget cuts, which creates organizational uncertainty and a scramble for new funding options. And what do we do if the answer is “no”?

Finance 118

Finance Budget Indirect Cost Indirect 118

Blackbaud

NOVEMBER 6, 2023

It is just as important for partners to be good stewards of user data and comply with the same standards as your fund accounting software. Having the bandwidth, skills, and budget to create a custom software solution is not something nonprofits often have the privilege of doing. Customization without the price tag.

Funding 103

Funding Software Finance Utilities 103

Blackbaud

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

Digital campaigns eliminate expenses related to venues, printed materials, and travel, enabling nonprofits to allocate more funds directly to their cause. An exception would be digital paid ad campaigns, where expenses run high based on the organization’s ad budget. Google Ads Forget billboards: tap into the power of Google Ads!

Fundraising 98

Fundraising Nonprofit Media Donation 98