There are plenty of websites, blogs, and online magazines for the nonprofit sector. So when I started in my role as Communication Coordinator at Volunteer Alberta, it seemed like I was wading through websites forever to find the best of the best.
After months and months of wading, I’ve found some really great sites that consistently publish engaging, quality articles on topics of interest to nonprofits.
These are my top three go-to blogs for great nonprofit information and inspiration:
#1. Nonprofit with Balls
Nonprofit with Balls isn’t just my favourite nonprofit blog – it’s my favourite blog. Period.
Vu Le, Nonprofit with Balls’ author, is smart and fearless. He is always ahead of the curve on nonprofit sector issues, and not at all afraid to share his insights, even if they are uncomfortable or unpopular. He’s also a master storyteller with a quirky sense of humour and can make any topic entertaining, trust me.
Some of his best blogs (although it’s hard to choose):
- 10 agreements for a happy and well-functioning team (aka, how to not suck as a coworker)
- When you don’t disclose salary range on a job posting, a unicorn loses its wings
- Can we all just admit there is no such thing as nonprofit sustainability?
- 15 lessons for the nonprofit sector we learned in 2015
#2. Charity Village
Charity Village’s collection of articles are full of personality and expertise.
It is always worth checking Charity Village’s website for new articles. They feature experts on topics from fundraising to human resources to communications. They set a high bar for themselves and routinely exceed it with rich, detailed, and timely articles.
Here are four that I found valuable:
- A challenge and an opportunity: How the nonprofit sector is welcoming Syrian refugees
- Healthy boundaries, healthy workers: How good workplace boundaries help nonprofit professionals
- Five ways to improve your storytelling results in 2016
- Nonprofit advocacy during elections: Better to lie low or get active?
#3. Social Velocity
If you find yourself thinking or wondering about the ‘big picture’, Social Velocity has you covered.
Social Velocity has great analysis of nonprofit obstacles and tips for how organizations can change for the better. Nell Edgington is excellent at zeroing in on nonprofit problems. She offers clear and intelligent opinions and strategies, and also recruits great guest contributors and interviewees.
Some big thinking topics to get you started:
- How Scarcity Thinking Holds Nonprofits Back
- The Network Approach to Social Change
- 7 Questions to Guide your Nonprofit Strategy
- Why Some Nonprofits Leap, and Others Don’t
Honorable Mention: Beth’s Blog
You’ve heard ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ – well this is a case of ‘don’t judge a blog by it’s website’.
I was wary the first time I visited Beth’s Blog – the website looks dated, and Beth Kanter’s chosen photo featuring a very loud cowboy hat didn’t instill confidence. But it turned out that there was a reason I kept running into her material – she’s great at sharing her knowledge from the nonprofit sector in easy-to-read, often bite-sized, articles!
Some of my favourites:
- Does Your Nonprofit Organization’s Culture Eat French Fries for Breakfast?
- Walking During Board Retreats: A Few Tips
- Trainer’s Notebook: Fishbowl Facilitation Technique
- Ways that Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Can Build Virtuoso Listening Skills
Now it’s your turn. What are your favourite blogs for nonprofits? I always love finding new gems to share with other Alberta nonprofits!
Sam Kriviak
Volunteer Alberta