Fund accounting software is not the same thing as general accounting software, although many nonprofits often confuse the two. “A number of products presented as NFP solutions, are in fact NOT NFP,” warns Randy Johnston, executive vice president of K2 Enterprises, a provider of professional education to accountants. “They can’t do true fund accounting, and don’t have other key capabilities like proper project accounting.” Read more...

Raising cash from tried-and-true donors is now more trying than true. Efforts to stir donors to action fall flat more often than not. “I just can’t make monthly donations to charities anymore,” says Nana Duffey, a retired civil servant and regular donor. “So many family members are out of work because of the recession; I have to help family. I feel sorry for nonprofits, though. I know they’re suffering too.” Facing this near unbreakable Catch-22, nonprofits are augmenting seemingly futile attempts to retain regular donors with online auctions designed to cash-in on less charitable-minded audiences. Read more...

It’s neither a secret nor a surprise that donations are down and need is up in this battered economy. Qualified donor lists are more valuable than ever but they are shrinking in terms of donor numbers and average donations. The usual barrage of donor solicitations is fizzling fast. To overcome these challenges, here are three productive and innovative ways to honorably build your donor lists right now: Read more...