https://www.501commons.org/blog/blog-collection Stay updated on the latest news, tips, and resources from 501 Commons. https://www.501commons.org/blog/foundation-board-engagement Community grantmakers often face challenges in communicating localized impact and financial health to their leadership. Historical data and financial metrics buried in fragmented spreadsheets or bulky legacy systems make it difficult to keep board members informed, which stalls decision-making and isolates leadership from the realities of their investments. No publisher Boards & Governance Technology 2026-07-17T17:09:42Z News Item https://www.501commons.org/blog/win-grants Nonprofit grant funding is highly competitive. With thousands of organizations seeking the same resources, it takes an efficient application process to stand out. Development teams are often stretched thin by heavy workloads, making it vital to adopt practical approaches when researching, drafting, and managing grants. Relying on slow, manual methods drains your staff's time and leaves potential funding on the table. No publisher Fundraising & Development Technology 2026-07-06T17:20:33Z News Item https://www.501commons.org/blog/volunteer-grants Imagine a typical Saturday at your nonprofit, your warehouse filled with energetic supporters sorting food donations. These individuals are the lifeblood of your operations, contributing their unique skills, passion, and time to keep your programs running smoothly. No publisher Volunteers 2026-06-03T20:54:36Z News Item https://www.501commons.org/blog/fundraiser-burnout If your nonprofit is feeling burned out, you’re not alone. In fact, the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s 2024 report revealed that 95% of nonprofit leaders expressed concern about staff burnout, and nearly 50% struggled to fill staff vacancies. No publisher Events, Training, & Webinars Fundraising & Development Technology 2026-05-06T19:56:40Z News Item https://www.501commons.org/blog/ai-llms There's a lot of talk about Artificial Intelligence (AI), especially revolving around helping staff teams with limited resources accomplish more. This article is written by Jordan Dwight, founder of J. Dwight Labs, which helps nonprofits leverage software to achieve their goals and further their missions. Jordan has worked in tech for 10+ years at Amazon and startups. No publisher Technology 2026-03-27T16:15:00Z News Item https://www.501commons.org/blog/nonprofit-teams Nonprofit leaders often face the challenge of balancing ambitious missions with limited staffing and financial resources. Many organizations operate with small teams while responding to increasing community needs, expanding programs, and ongoing operational demands. No publisher Leadership 2026-03-24T17:45:00Z News Item https://www.501commons.org/blog/990s Most nonprofit organizations, with a few exceptions, are required to file an annual form with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The form is officially named “Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax.” No publisher Finance Policy & Legal 2026-02-25T18:44:07Z News Item https://www.501commons.org/blog/revenue-streams Relying on the same cycle of grants and annual campaigns can leave your organization vulnerable to donor fatigue and shifting economic tides. Tackle financial uncertainty head-on by diversifying your revenue streams and making it fun for your donors to give! No publisher Fundraising & Development 2026-02-06T19:35:00Z News Item https://www.501commons.org/blog/hr-fundraising When you consider your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts, you probably think of your development team as being in charge (and most of the time, that’s true). But other departments and roles can play a key part in supporting successful fundraising, such as your organization’s board of directors, the executive director, volunteers, marketing staff, IT department, and nearly anyone else who works on your mission! No publisher Fundraising & Development Human Resources 2026-01-26T20:37:25Z News Item https://www.501commons.org/blog/nonprofit-staff-efficiency Nonprofit staff often wear too many hats or have a seemingly endless list of tasks to tend to each day. And yet, 85% of nonprofits predicted an increase in demand for their services in 2026. How can organizations meet this rising demand while protecting staff from burnout? No publisher Human Resources Leadership Technology 2026-01-14T16:15:35Z News Item