The sustainable nonprofit

The sustainable nonprofit column examines critical issues related to nonprofit sustainability through the eyes of nonprofit leaders, practitioners, and consultants. For more information, contact Kyoko Uchida, managing editor, kyoko.uchida@candid.org.

Buyer Beware: The Hidden Costs of Free Software for Nonprofits

Buyer Beware: The Hidden Costs of Free Software for Nonprofits

July 9, 2014 Gretchen Barry

Barry, marketing director for nonproft software solutions provider NonProfitEasy, warns about some of the pitfalls in the world of free software for nonprofits and offers advice to help you determine software strategies that will best fit your organization and budget....

Noncash Giving: The 'Long Tail' of Donor Engagement

Noncash Giving: The 'Long Tail' of Donor Engagement

June 9, 2014 Ray Gary

The CEO of iDonate argues that accepting noncash gifts enables nonprofits not only to expand their donor base but also to capture a larger portion of what donors are willing to give....

Throwing in the Towel

Throwing in the Towel

May 22, 2014 Allison Jones

Freelance grantwriter Allison Shirk shares five things a grantseeker should do when a foundation doesn't respond to a grant proposal....

Has the Word 'Impact' Lost Its Impact?

Has the Word 'Impact' Lost Its Impact?

April 24, 2014 Derrick Feldmann

Feldmann, the president of Achieve, a creative research and campaigns agency based in Indianapolis, suggests that nonprofits should spend less time telling donors about the impact they are creating and more time showing them....

The 'Fine Print' of a Grant Agreement

The 'Fine Print' of a Grant Agreement

January 15, 2014 Steven Green

The director of grants management and administration for the Jim Joseph Foundation explains why the "fine print" in any grant agreement matters — for funder and grantee alike....

Dear Abby's Advice to a Funder

Dear Abby's Advice to a Funder

September 20, 2013 Allison Jones

Freelance grantwriter Allison Shirk shares some well-meaning relationship advice with funders....

Finding Hope in a Cause

Finding Hope in a Cause

August 7, 2013 Derrick Feldmann

Derrick Feldmann, the president of Achieve, a research and creative agency for causes, explains the relationship of powerful images and storytelling to effective email solicitations....

Spice It Up!

Spice It Up!

July 10, 2013 Allison Jones

Freelance grantwriter Allison Shirk shows grantwriters how they can freshen up their writing and reinvigorate their passion for the client organization's mission....

Managing Up - The Grantwriter's Dilemma

Managing Up - The Grantwriter's Dilemma

June 6, 2013 Allison Jones

Freelance grantwriter Allison Shirk provides diplomatic advice about how to target the problems in a client's proposal and, perhaps, the organization itself....

Ten Ways to Make Your Grantwriter's Time Count

Ten Ways to Make Your Grantwriter's Time Count

May 3, 2013 Allison Jones

Freelance grantwriter Allison Shirk provides ten recommendations (plus a bonus tip) to help nonprofits make the most out of their investment in a grantwriting consultant....

Blinded By the 'Sophisticated Donor'?

Blinded By the 'Sophisticated Donor'?

April 9, 2013 Derrick Feldmann

In his latest TSN article, Achieve CEO Derrick Feldmann urges fundraising professionals to keep it real by considering the interests of contributors other than major donors, board members, and foundations....

Hey, Nonprofits, 'Usability' Is More Than a Tech Term

Hey, Nonprofits, 'Usability' Is More Than a Tech Term

January 2, 2013 Derrick Feldmann

In his latest TSN article, Achieve CEO Derrick Feldmann draws on his experience as "techie" for his mom to describe how nonprofit organizations need to consider the online giving experience potential donors have at their Web sites....