Candid insights
The big picture of the social sector, backed by data and expertise
Garifuna and the 2020 Census
Gilberto Amaya's career in international development has taken him to more than thirty countries, where he has implemented renewable energy systems, agribusiness projects, and poverty alleviation initiatives. Along the way, he witnessed the post-independence struggles of sovereign states whose names…
December 2, 2019
Invitation-Only: Closing the Door to Equity?
After more than 20 years of grantmaking in Los Angeles County, you’d think our staff at the Durfee Foundation would know all of the eligible nonprofits in our region. But we don’t. Not long ago, for example, we got a…
November 12, 2019
What types of nonprofits can use fiscal sponsorship?
In the first post in this series, we covered some of the basics around fiscal sponsorship and described the two of the most frequently used models. (If you haven’t read that one yet, you can find it here.) Just as…
November 1, 2019
Hole in the Road to Transparency: People with Disabilities Often Excluded By Foundations & Nonprofits
Philanthropic transparency is vital. But there’s a major challenge – people with disabilities are being excluded by foundations, philanthropy and nonprofits every day. RespectAbility, a nonprofit disability organization, did a major study of close to 1,000 people in the social…
October 17, 2019
We’ve changed the way we collect and share demographic data!
As we launch a new and improved Demographics section of the Nonprofit Profiles on GuideStar, I’m having a very familiar feeling. In 2014, when GuideStar first launched the Demographics section, I was nervous and excited. We partnered with D5, a five-year…
September 15, 2019
11 Digital Marketing KPIs That Every Nonprofit Should Be Tracking
Key performance indicators (KPIs) allow you to truly understand your nonprofit’s digital marketing success and make educated decisions about future spending. How do you know your nonprofit’s Google ad campaigns are paying off, if your curated Instagram account is leading…
September 11, 2019
Tap into Donor-advised Funds with FDO
Expert fundraisers recognize that Donor-advised Funds are a growing source of funding for nonprofits. Between 2007 and 2016, assets in DAFs nationwide skyrocketed from $32 billion to $85 billion[1]. You can now prospect research for DAFs easier in FDO. Follow…
August 26, 2019
A Foundation Insider’s 8 Tips to Help You Win Your Next Grant
One of my favorite sections in the revised edition of my book the Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Winning Foundation Grants is called “The Grant Seeker’s Reality Check.” In 10 brief chapters I examine, from the vantage point of one who served for…
May 21, 2019
Transparency: One Small Step for Funders, One Giant Leap for Equity
In order to solve a problem, one must first identify its parameters. This applies, too, to the philanthropic sector; to that end, many of us are pushing for greater transparency in our field. For example, Candid teamed up with a…
May 9, 2019
How to Use Storytelling for Nonprofits to Get More Grants
Unsure whether your grant proposals have what it takes to stand out in a sea of applications? There can often be misunderstandings amongst nonprofits as to what constitutes a strong proposal in the eyes of a foundation. While there’s no…
April 5, 2019
High-Impact Volunteer Engagement: Six Factors for Success
Skilled volunteer engagement (also known as pro bono service) can be an effective way to bridge the capacity gap. It’s important to recognize volunteers aren’t “free” and in order for skilled volunteerism to be effective, your organization must be ready to make the most of this valuable contribution of time and talent.
February 15, 2019
Meet Your Fundraising Needs with FDO as Your Partner
You need the best prospecting tool available, Foundation Directory Online is committed to meeting your needs as a fundraiser. Meet Your Fundraising Needs with FDO as Your Partner. Last year was a big year for FDO, we added nearly 70,000…
February 13, 2019