Category Archives: Business and Nonprofits

Here we talk about best practices in finance, marketing, management, technology and how they can be more effective implemented in the non-profit sector.

Board Recruitment and Orientation by Aaron House

Posted on October 17, 2011 by

YNPN Chicago is currently on-boarding 14 new board members. Our first official board meeting together is tonight but MANY calories have already been burned to ensure that we have the right people (and the right infrastructure) for a successful first … Continue reading →

Posted in Management | Leave a comment

So, You Think You Want to Start a Nonprofit?: Legal Steps From Incorporation Through 501(c)(3) Including Alternatives to Creating a New Charity by Erica Spangler Raz

Posted on August 15, 2011 by

So you have this great idea…Regardless of how great your idea is, there is a lot of work to be done to convert that great idea into a legally recognized nonprofit with federal income tax exemption (typically 501(c)(3) status). This … Continue reading →

Posted in Business and Nonprofits, Legal, Management | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Insider: Lisa Brown Morton, President & CEO of Nonprofit HR Solutions

Posted on August 8, 2011 by

This interview was conducted by Sandra C. Davis and was originally posted on the blog Black Gives Back. Want to learn how to remain competitive in this tight job market?  Need nonprofit job search tips? Read on to learn all … Continue reading →

Posted in Job Search, Professional Development | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Joining a Board the Right Thing For You? by Carlos Velazquez

Posted on August 1, 2011 by

This past weekend, I was thrilled to have been accepted to join the board of Pros Arts Studios, a wonderful Pilsen-based non-profit offering arts programs and events for Chicago youth and the community. It’s the first board that I will … Continue reading →

Posted in Management, Mentoring, Volunteers | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Giving Time or Money by Ashley Walls

Posted on July 19, 2011 by

Volunteering is a great way to learn about your passions, test out your skills, and meet a variety of people. Volunteer experiences can be short-term or long-term; once a week or once a month. Over the past few months, my … Continue reading →

Posted in Volunteers | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Networking – Social and Beyond by Steve Strang

Posted on July 11, 2011 by

Social networking has become an everyday part of nonprofit culture.  Blogging, tweeting, linking and Facebooking (among others) are day-to-day routines now for the Gen Y – but where does actual person-to-person networking fall into the picture?  P2P networking has fallen … Continue reading →

Posted in Networking, Professional Development | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Board Service Story By Aaron House

Posted on July 5, 2011 by

Serving on an ALL-VOLUNTEER board means something very different than serving on a traditional board. It means you’re accountable. It means you’re the workhorse. It means the big ideas you share during monthly discussions might just end up right back … Continue reading →

Posted in Management, Non-Profit Issues and Causes, Volunteers | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Marketing and the Consumer* Experience by Kelsey A. Horine

Posted on June 27, 2011 by

For many nonprofit marketers, their job consists of trying to get free press, updating the website and planning fundraisers (okay, I am over simplifying, but you get the idea). One of the biggest challenges many nonprofit organizations face is getting … Continue reading →

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Making Google≠Googolplex: How to Search the Internet Intelligently by Sabine Schuller

Posted on June 13, 2011 by

So imagine this scenario: You work at an NGO. It’s 4:45 Friday afternoon and your Executive Director pops into your cube. The ED says, “Hey, a board member just invited me to dinner downtown with “A Fictional Person”, who’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Job Search, Networking, Professional Development | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Becoming More Than Another Resume: The Advantages of Informational Interviews by Lauren Anderson

Posted on June 7, 2011 by

Networking (verb)- to meet professional contacts to increase your understanding of an area, build contacts in that area, or advance your career. Informational Interview (noun)- networking in an interview-like style. Informational interviews are advantageous over traditional networking, because you demonstrate interest and … Continue reading →

Posted in Job Search, Mentoring, Networking | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments