Fostering Appreciation in Nonprofits

By: Rachel Sylvester In our previous blog post by Heather Davidson, Defining Roles for Volunteers and Why It Matters, she explored the importance of clearly defined roles for volunteers. Heather dives deeper into how having a well-structured volunteer engagement strategy can significantly benefit both nonprofits and their volunteers. By providing clear guidelines and expectations, nonprofits […]

Wave of Change: MacKenzie Scott’s ‘Yield Giving’ Campaign and Its $640 Million Impact

By: Kelly O’Neill Giving back to the community isn’t just a statement for MacKenzie Scott—it’s a commitment she’s wholeheartedly embraced. Scott is a strong advocate for philanthropy and has dedicated herself to donating her wealth to non-profit organizations through her Yield Giving Campaign over the past year. In March of 2024, Scott gave out $640 […]

How to Maximize Your Nonprofit’s Strategic Plan: A Guide for Broader Impact

By: Jessica Rodriguez and Jessica Munday Often, nonprofits exist without a strategic plan, going against guiding principles and best practices. If you don’t have a strategic plan, we highly recommend you start there. However, a number of nonprofits have invested the necessary time to create a valuable roadmap for their organization, creating a guide for […]

Top 3 Best Practices in Fundraising

By: Rachel Sylvester What constitutes effective fundraising practices? The answer can vary among nonprofit organizations, and strategies can include soliciting donations, volunteer outreach, or selecting the optimal fundraising tools. Each of these strategies contributes to the set of best practices in fundraising for nonprofit organizations, and if you had to take away just three, these […]

Turning Scrolls into Goals: How Nonprofits are Using TikTok for a Cause

By: Rachel Sylvester As the fundraising landscape evolves, nonprofits are searching for fresh and engaging ways to drum up support. Enter social media: a powerhouse for boosting visibility and rallying support for charitable causes. TikTok has emerged as a beloved favorite among these digital giants, especially among the Gen Z and Millennial crowds. A growing […]

8 reasons why guiding principles and best practices matter

By: Jessica Munday, Cloud 9 Co-Founder & Partner Jessica is passionate about this topic and was an advisor with Together SC to author several editions of South Carolina’s Guiding Principles and Best Practices for Nonprofits. If systems set you free, following guiding principles and best practices gives you the framework and guardrails to operate so […]

Ethical Excellence in Nonprofit Fundraising

In today’s multifaceted world, I often remind our clients that a guiding principle must be following their North Star. It’s the unwavering beacon that steers individuals and organizations toward unshakeable authenticity, trustworthiness and credibility. While the importance of ethics is undeniable across all sectors, its weight is profoundly felt within the nonprofit realm. The reason? […]

Infusing fun into strategic planning: Embracing joy and success

Strategic planning often gets a bad rap in the nonprofit sector. Leaders are swamped with immediate needs, from budget constraints to donor relations, making long-term thinking feel like a luxury. But here’s a new idea: what if strategic planning became a source of joy instead of dread? At the core of Cloud 9’s values lies […]

The State of Nonprofits 2023: A Deeper Look

The State of Nonprofits 2023: A Deeper Look The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) recently released a comprehensive report titled The State of Nonprofits 2023: What Funders Need to Know. This insightful report delves into the evolving landscape of nonprofit organizations and offers valuable insights for funders seeking to make a positive impact. But what […]

Celebrating milestones: How to engage stakeholders in meaningful moments

In nonprofits, milestones mark significant achievements and important moments in the organization’s journey. From anniversaries and brand launches to graduations and other remarkable occasions, these milestones provide a golden opportunity to strengthen connections with donors and stakeholders. Let’s explore how nonprofits can infuse fun and excitement into these milestones, fostering a deeper bond with their […]