RESOURCES
Northwest Illinois Nonprofit AllianceWe gather and promote useful organizations, publications, and websites to help you and your nonprofit succeed. Although the resources provided in this section are valuable and reliable, the content is provided for informational purposes and is not a substitute for expert legal, tax, or other professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Please contact us if you are searching for a specific resources. We look forward to assisting you!
Additionally, NINA offers events and other types of resources that can help you to grow your organization. These are member-only opportunities so the connections you make will be meaningful and memorable.
Advocacy
Boards & Governance
Good Governance Policies for Nonprofits, 2019
Governance and Accountability, 2019
Nonprofit Governance Best Practices, 2018
Nonprofit Jargon Buster: Directors vs. Trustees – CharityLawyer, 2016
Leading with Intent: A National Index of Nonprofit Board Practices – BoardSource, 2015
The Power of Board Advocacy: A Discussion Guide for Boards – Stand For Your Mission, 2017
The Board’s Role in Advocacy: An Expectation for Engaged Leadership – Stand For Your Mission, 2017
Board Job Descriptions – The Bridgespan Group, 2017
Tip Sheet for Candid Conversations about Board Governance – National Council of Nonprofits, 2015
Board Meetings: FAQs – BoardSource, 2016
Board Orientation – National Council of Nonprofits, 2017
Board of Directors in an All-Volunteer Organization – BoardSource, 1999
BoardSource
National Council of Nonprofits, Boards & Governance
The Bridgespan Group, Nonprofit Boards
Finance & Budgeting
Financial Cautionary Tales for Nonprofits, 2019
Nonprofit Capital: How to Think Differently about Its Use in Your Organization, 2019
An Executive Director’s Guide to Financial Leadership – The Nonprofit Quarterly, 2011
Nonprofit Budget Tips – TSNE Mission Works, 2014
Balancing the Mission Checkbook: Depreciate Your Way to a Healthier Nonprofit – Nonprofit Quarterly, 2014
Capital Ideas: Savvy Nonprofits Find New Ways to Finance Their Programs – Fiscal Management Associates, 2014
A Graphic Re-visioning of Nonprofit Overhead – Nonprofits Assistance Fund, 2016
Revenue Analysis Worksheet – Fiscal Management Associates, 2014
Getting Your Nonprofit Budget Past ‘One Day (or Year) at a Time’ – The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, 2016
The Matrix Map: A Powerful Tool for Mission-Focused Nonprofits – Nonprofit Quarterly, 2014
Funding Opportunity Assessment Tool – Fiscal Management Associates, 2017
Nonprofit Cost Analysis Toolkit – The Bridgespan Group, 2009
Budgeting and Financial Planning – Greater Washington Society of CPAs Educational Foundation, 2010
Glossary: Nonprofit Finance Terms and Concepts – Nonprofit Finance Fund, 2017
Characteristics of Financially Healthy Nonprofits – Nonprofits Assistance Fund, 2014
Balance Sheet Cheat Sheet – Nonprofit Assistance Fund, 2014
Fundraising
The State of Change: An Analysis of Women and People of Color in the Philanthropic Sector – Council on Foundations, 2016
8 Ways to Write a Better Fundraising Letter – The Balance, 2016
Nonprofit Fundraising Plan: 6 Must-Do Steps for Success – CauseVox, 2017
10 Online Fundraising Best Practices for Nonprofits – Nonprofit Tech for Good, 2016
Ethical Fundraising – National Council of Nonprofits, 2017
Donor Bill of Rights – Association of Fundraising Professionals, 2009
Nonprofit Gifts: When Strings are Attached – Nolo, 2017
Sample Gift Acceptance Policies – Nonprofit Risk Management Center, 2017
Gift Acknowledgements: Saying ‘Thank You’ to Donors – National Council of Nonprofits, 2017
Infographic: The ULTIMATE Thank You for Nonprofits – Classy, 2017
General Resources
37 Twitter Feeds Nonprofit Leaders Should Follow – Classy, 2017
Organizational Survey Template – Texas Commission on the Arts, 2012
Organizational Self-Assessment Tool – Texas Commission on the Arts, 2012
Existing Organizations: Maintaining Your Tax-Exempt Status – IRS, 2017
The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits – Fast Company, 2007
The Nonprofit Sector in Brief 2015: Public Charities, Giving, and Volunteering – Urban Institute Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy, 2015
Top 10 TED Talks for Nonprofit Leaders – Classy, 2017
Candid, Knowledge Base
Blue Avocado
Stanford Social Innovation Review
Harvard University, The Hauser Institute for Civil Society
Philanthropy Roundtable, Nonprofit & Philanthropy Statistics
IL-Attorney General, Checklist for Charitable Organizations
Charity Navigator, Giving Statistics
Blackbaud, The Next Generation of Giving
National Center for Charitable Statistics
National Philanthropic Trust, Charitable Giving Statistics
Human Resources
5 Key HR Issues Facing Nonprofit Organizations – Creative Business Resources, 2017
7 Tips for Managing Freelancers and Independent Contractors, 2015
Top 10 Mistakes Employers Make in Employment Applications – Ogletree Deakins, 2017
When is HR Outsourcing Right for Your Organization? – Nonprofit Quarterly, 2008
Retention Challenges and Solutions for Nonprofits – Nonprofit HR, 2013
Five Tips on Integrating Your Nonprofit’s Values Into Your HR Practices – TSNE Mission Works, 2017
Practical Tips for New-Employee Orientation – The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 2004
A Slam Dunk New Employee Orientation Process – Joan Garry Consulting, 2017
New Employee Orientation Checklist – Joan Garry Consulting, 2014
The State of Change: An Analysis of Women and People of Color in the Philanthropic Sector – Council on Foundations, 2016
Leadership
Management & Operations
The Performance Imperative – Leap of Reason Ambassadors Community, 2015
Nonprofit Leadership Development – The Looking Glass Institute, 2009
Blending Nonprofit Succession Planning and Executive Transition: A Successful Case – Nonprofit Quarterly, 2017
Leadership Succession Planning – The Bridgespan Group, 2017
Data Playbook: A Measured Approach – Rella Kaplowitz, 2017
Nonprofit Fiscal Policies & Procedures: A Template and Guide – CompassPoint, 2012
The Nonprofit Chief Operating Officer – The Bridgespan Group, 2017
Marketing & Membership
17 Best WordPress Themes for Non-Profit, Charity and Fundraising Organizations 2017 – Colorlib, 2017
Finding the Best Membership Model for Your Nonprofit – Idealist Consulting, 2016
How Nonprofits Can Tap Into the Membership Economy – Classy, 2015
7 Steps to Creating Your Best Nonprofit Marketing Plan Ever – Network for Good, 2015
10 Marketing Lessons for All Nonprofits – Classy, 2017
8 Easy Steps to Marketing Your Nonprofit Organization – The Balance, 2017
Nonprofit Marketing in 2017: Challenges, Strategies, and Examples – Content Marketing Institute, 2017
Programming
Social Media
Using Social Media in Nonprofit Talent Acquisition – The Bridgespan Group, 2017
The 7 Elements of a Strategic Social Media Plan – Socialbrite, 2012
Steps to a Successful Nonprofit Social Media Strategy – The Balance, 2016
How Nonprofits Use Social Media to Engage with Communities – Nonprofit Quarterly, 2014
Social Media Effectiveness for Public Engagement: An Example of Small Nonprofits – Nonprofit Quarterly, 2016
The Social Network Effect: Good News for All Nonprofits – Classy, 2017
A Strategic Guide to Social Media for Nonprofits – Sprout Social, 2015
Social Media Update 2016 – Pew Research Center, 2016
Social Media Demographics to Inform a Better Segmentation Strategy – Sprout Social, 2017
The Complete Guide to Nonprofit Social Media: Strategy and Design Tips for Success – Canva, 2016
Technology
IT Budgeting Playbook for Nonprofits – Tech Impact, 2016
Technology Planning: Are You Navigating without a Map? – Nonprofit Quarterly, 2012
Introduction to Technology Planning for Nonprofits – TechSoup, 2016
Strategic Technology Plan – Baylor, 2013
Cybersecurity – National Council of Nonprofits, 2017
Assessing Risk: How to Protect Your Most Valuable Data – Nonprofit Technology Network, 2016
7 Ways Cloud Computing Propels IT Security – Tech Impact, 2016
Top Ten Cybersecurity Tips for Nonprofits: Managing Your Technical and Legal Risks – Venable, 2017
Feeling Insecure About Security? Protecting Your Nonprofit’s Data Is Not Rocket Science – National Council of Nonprofits, 2016
Seven Deadly Weaknesses of Nonprofit Security – Nonprofit Technology Network, 2016
Volunteers
Leadership Network
Network with other NINA members at Leadership Network events. We gather to discuss a topic important to your nonprofit work. Share in the conversation discussion sharing your experiences and challenges while celebrating what’s worked!
Networking Events
Break through silos and increase your impact by making connections among other nonprofit leaders. NINA offers networking opportunities to help you engage with other nonprofit professionals, share best practices, and get advice from people on similar paths.
Learning Labs
The NINA Learning Labs are a series of live or virtual educational sessions based around a variety of topics focused on nonprofit professional & skill development, community resource & knowledge-sharing, and the nonprofit sector’s response to current events. Sessions are FREE to attend for all NINA members.
Marketing Audits
NINA offers a complete marketing audit to determine what’s working – and what isn’t – for your organization. We will assess everything from your web presence and content, print materials and other communication strategies intended to reach your audience.
CEO Conversations
Leading a nonprofit can be overwhelming. Build your network and swap stories with other leaders. These conversations are designed to provide learning and networking opportunities for nonprofit executive directors and CEOs. With a mix of educational and social gatherings, NINA’s CEO Conversation events allow space for executives to learn from one another and share best practices while strengthening the whole nonprofit community.
Conference Room Access
Organizational members of NINA are invited to utilize our conference room for board and committee meetings. (Based on availability)
Career Center
The Nonprofit Career Center is a free directory of open positions—salaried, hourly and volunteer—in the nonprofit sector in northwest Illinois. Members may have their listings posted. (coming soon!)