Candid insights

The big picture of the social sector, backed by data and expertise

Feedback and you: 5 tips for growing trust strategically

We all know that conducting surveys and soliciting feedback is an essential part of building something that works for the communities we serve. We’re here for them, after all. But we also know that attempting to gather, weigh, and honor survey feedback…

By Marina Martinez-Bateman (they/them)

March 10, 2020

The Arc of Justice: The World’s Religions Launch Strategic Priorities for Peace

As the coronavirus public health crisis grows increasingly urgent, prominent global actors and institutions, including the United Nations, are wrestling with the realization that all hands on deck are required to address the cross-cutting global challenges we face. The latest…

By Azza Karam and Kyoichi Sugino

March 9, 2020

What’s love got to do with it? Everything.

Last month, I was honored to attend a capacity building day for participants in the Latino Community Foundation’s Latino Nonprofit Accelerator. The foundation articulates that its work—and the accelerator program itself—is guided by love. “We’ve always had love at the…

By Jen Bokoff (she/her)

March 9, 2020

What’s new at Candid (March 2020)

From the work we do at Candid, I’ve gained a better appreciation for how connected and small the world really is. At our trainings, there are always attendees who are shocked and delighted to see a friendly face that they…

By Jen Bokoff (she/her)

March 6, 2020

How to maximize your impact with skills-based volunteering

In the nonprofit sector, you’ll often hear staff members say that they “wear many hats,” meaning they fill a number of crucial roles at their organizations. It is not uncommon for a CEO to serve as the finance team, HR…

By Aruni Ranaweera (she/her)

March 5, 2020

Is your nonprofit clear about communications?

Whether your organization is working to cure cancer, shelter or feed people, create safer streets, advocate for equality, or create change in another way, you’ve got a mission. A nonprofit’s mission is the fundamental reason it exists and defines the…

By Sarah Durham (she/her)

March 4, 2020

Funders respond to coronavirus (COVID-19)

Editor’s note: Since the publishing of this post, Candid released a pop-up webpage about coronavirus. View philanthropy’s response to the pandemic: candid.org/coronavirus. While we’ll be updating this webpage regularly, there can be lags getting data from different sources, so there…

By Andrew Grabois

March 3, 2020

Digital Accessibility: The Path to Nonprofit Engagement Online

We live in one of the most remarkable eras ever, a time when a tidal wave of technologies and digital information is opening up limitless opportunities and empowering society like never before. But as innovation moves faster, we need to…

By Frank Lakatos

March 2, 2020

Five steps to starting an endowment: even smaller nonprofits can

A few years ago, GuideStar’s (now Candid’s) editorial director told me, “Most of our readers are convinced that endowments are good things. If their organizations do not have endowments, it’s because they can’t justify diverting money from programs to starting…

By Scott E. Stewart (he/him)

March 2, 2020

How to build branding for your nonprofit

Brands are important for more than just commercial endeavors and profit-based companies. After all, the point of a brand is to make it easier for a customer or client to connect with a company—and to make it more appealing for…

By Alicia Rother (she/her)

February 28, 2020

Why nonprofit staff should not be asked to donate to the organizations they work for

This week’s topic may be polarizing and possibly rile you up, so please stare at the nearest houseplant for a few minutes (apparently, they are scientifically proven to reduce stress). Once in a while our community gets into a discussion about…

By Vu Le (he/him)

February 27, 2020

You absolutely need a monthly giving program, and here’s why

Chances are, if you don’t have a monthly giving program, you will have to persuade others in your organization to embrace this proven revenue-raiser. The first reason alone—more money—should convince them. But, as you know, rational thinking doesn’t always prevail.…

By Harvey McKinnon

February 26, 2020