Reid All About it
FEBRUARY 7, 2025
The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community The voice of beauty speaks softly; it creeps only into the most fully awakened souls. Friedrich Nietzsche Social events. Heres a problem your association can solve. Everyone wants to attend parties, but no one wants to throw them. Ellen Cushing at The Atlantic says Americans need to party more.
Spark Consulting
FEBRUARY 19, 2025
I think we’re all familiar with the story of Truck Stuck by Sallie Wolfe. It’s a charming children’s book in which the kids are the heroes, figuring out a creative solution to get the truck unstuck. Where do ideas come from in your organization? Or, to be more precise, who’s ALLOWED to have an idea? In far too many associations, the answer is definitely not “anyone!
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Association Analytics
JANUARY 7, 2025
It remains all too common for associations to ignore vital data points as they strategize for the future. The inertia of decades of existence often precludes a data-informed state, instead relying on anecdote, trusting in the gut feeling of longtime employees or volunteers, and the way things have always been done. This flies in the face of modern organizational thinking, and associations looking to be proactive – or facing the modern challenges of the industry – would be advised to
Association Adviser
JANUARY 14, 2025
As associations navigate an era defined by shifting member expectations, rapid technological disruption, and an unpredictable economic landscape, one truth stands out: the strength of an organization lies in its people. Workforce initiatives, once considered ancillary, have emerged as mission-critical strategies for associations striving to maintain relevance and impact.
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Struggling to generate revenue beyond membership dues? You're not alone. Our free guide, The Ultimate Guide to Non-Dues Revenue for Associations , offers practical strategies to help your organization boost financial health. Inside, you'll explore creative ways to generate income, including: Educational offerings tailored to your audience Event-based revenue opportunities Job boards that drive engagement and income Corporate sponsorship ideas A checklist to evaluate and strengthen your current a
Wild Apricot
MARCH 10, 2025
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month! Are you looking for thoughtful yet affordable ways to thank your volunteers? Check out our top 33 volunteer gift ideas that show appreciation for every occasion.
Association Universe brings together the best content for association members and organizers from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
NXUnite
FEBRUARY 4, 2025
Sustainable nonprofits have diverse revenue streams, from donations to grants to sales. However, while nonprofits that sell products and services can make more than enough revenue to sustain themselves, undertaking commercial affairs comes with several considerations. Nonprofits that rely heavily on product or service sales, like thrift stores , museums, and educational institutions, can experience the benefits of running a business and maintaining nonprofit status.
Associations Now
APRIL 11, 2025
Leaders who listen earn more trust from those around them. But being good at that isnt as easy as it seems. It seems like news from the no-duh files: People trust leaders who listen to them. According to a survey released last fall by the consulting firm Zenger Folkman, listening and trust are highly correlated in the workplace : Leaders considered poor listeners wallowed in the 15th percentile in trust, while those excelling at it rocketed to the 86th percentile.
NetForum
APRIL 15, 2025
Volunteers are the backbone of any successful association, providing essential support, fresh perspectives, and a strong sense of community. However, recruiting and retaining dedicated volunteers requires more than just an open invitationit demands a well-crafted strategy that meets the evolving needs and expectations of todays members. National Volunteer Appreciation Month is the perfect time to […] How to help association chapters find the next generation of volunteers appeared first on
Candid
MARCH 10, 2025
Nonprofit organizations often collaborate with one another to share resources, seek grants, and scale public service delivery. At the same time, nonprofits also compete directly against one anotherfor attention, for funding, for clientsalthough this competition rarely gets acknowledged. As a scholar of nonprofit management and public service, Ive explored, among other things, to what extent the element of competition affects nonprofit messaging in an online fundraising competition, and what type
Speaker: Dave Sackett
Traditional budgeting and forecasting methods can no longer keep pace with today’s rapidly evolving business environment. Static budgets, rigid annual forecasts, and outdated financial models limit an organization’s ability to adapt to market shifts and economic uncertainty. To stay ahead, finance leaders must leverage a future-forward approach—one that leverages real-time data, predictive analytics, and continuous planning to drive smarter financial decisions.
MemberClicks
JANUARY 22, 2025
For associations and nonprofits, external collaborations are a powerful way to achieve goals , expand reach, and create lasting impact. Two common strategies for collaboration are partnerships and sponsorships. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they serve distinct purposes and offer different benefits. Understanding the differences between partnerships and sponsorships is crucial to making informed decisions that align with your organizations goals.
Reid All About it
FEBRUARY 28, 2025
The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community Looking forward. Association Laboratory is collecting data for its annual Looking Forward Challenges research study. Please take 10 minutes to contribute to our communitys understanding of what associations face in a complex and dynamic world. The resulting data will help you prioritize resources and guide conversations with your leadership.
Spark Consulting
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
I was recently chatting with a newly hired membership director. Their association offers both individual and group membership, and they were looking for ideas on ways to increase individual recruitment and retention. We had a great conversation and shared lots of potential ideas they could pursue. But one thing jumped out to me immediately. Their group memberships (80% of their members) are paid by companies.
Association Analytics
JANUARY 21, 2025
Its no secret – artificial intelligence is all the rage in the association industry. Every conference and trade show has at least a handful of sessions on the subject, and most any technology solution provider is working to incorporate some level of generative machine learning into their existing platforms, Those that havent done it already, at any rate.
Speaker: Tim Sarrantonio, Director of Corporate Brand
Do you really know your donors? Not just what they give, but who they are? 👥 In this interactive session, we’ll break down how nonprofits can use behavioral indicators (affinity, recency, frequency, and monetary value) to build prospecting segments that go beyond wealth screening and actually align with donor identity. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to move beyond basic demographics and cultivate supporters based on how they already engage with you!
Association Adviser
JANUARY 21, 2025
Membership is the cornerstone of associations, yet the traditional approaches to attracting and retaining members are no longer enough. With competition from for-profits, online networks, and tech-driven platforms, associations must adopt a more innovative and data-driven approach to remain relevant.
Wild Apricot
JANUARY 21, 2025
Nonprofit audits help assess and strengthen everyday operations, financial practices and stakeholder trust. Learn what to expect from the auditing process.
The Association 100
MARCH 9, 2025
In this recent video , I share how associations can align PR efforts with advocacy goals to strengthen their influence and visibility. A strategic, coordinated approach ensures your messaging resonates with policymakers, media and members alike. Start by identifying the overlap between advocacy priorities and stakeholder interests. Craft clear, consistent messaging that highlights how your efforts drive real impact.
NXUnite
APRIL 8, 2025
While the process can be tedious, compiling nonprofit financial statements allows your organization to evaluate its financial standing and stay accountable to stakeholders. These documents help you use resources effectively to fulfill your nonprofits mission. One of the main financial statements nonprofits develop is a nonprofit balance sheet. To get you up to speed, well review the basics of this report, why its important, and how to interpret it so your organization can maximize this data.
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GrowthZone’s 11th annual survey highlights trends, challenges, and strategies shaping the membership industry through insights from U.S. and Canadian association professionals. Get your copy of the 2025 Association Survey Results Report to see how your organization measures up: The biggest challenges associations are facing Membership retention trends and non-renewal insights Strategies for automatic renewals and reinstatements Shifts in member engagement tactics Why members are joining (and sta
Associations Now
JANUARY 7, 2025
Marketing General Incorporateds new survey shows association professionals optimistic about their prospects, but eager to make changes. According to a new report, association professionals are entering 2025 feeling optimistic about membership and revenue, but are looking to improve their technological savvy to better engage with their audiences. Marketing General Incorporateds 2025 Association Outlook Report , published last month, is based on responses from nearly 300 association professionals
AvidXchange: Association Management
JANUARY 22, 2025
Election outcomes can influence the regulatory, economic, and policy environment where construction, real estate, and community association management industries operate. From housing costs to deregulation and tariffs, finance teams may need to adapt to evolving conditions. Elections always bring a level of uncertainty for finance teams. Staying agile and prepared for policy shifts is essential, regardless of whether its interest rates or labor regulations.
Candid
MARCH 11, 2025
During my first year as CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, our biggest priority was listening. Since late 2023, weve been talking with community members about how, together, we could make Kansas City a national model for equitable economic mobility. Two significant gaps became evident that we saw as two sides of the same coin: Nonprofits dont often have space to truly think about their strengths and sustainability.
.orgSource
MARCH 25, 2025
340B Health , an organization advocating for hospitals and health systems serving vulnerable communities, faced a rapidly changing regulatory environment. While financially stable, the association operated in a volatile policy landscape , where government regulations could shift every two to four years. This uncertainty made long-term strategic planning challenging.
Speaker: Jennifer Hill
Payroll compliance is a cornerstone of business success, yet for small and midsize businesses, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of federal, state, and local regulations. Mistakes can lead to costly penalties and operational disruptions, making it essential to adopt advanced solutions that ensure accuracy and efficiency.
Reid All About it
JANUARY 17, 2025
The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community Awards program. If youre thinking about creating an awards program at your associationor want to see if youre on the right track with an existing programthe folks at OpenWater have your back. Their 4-step process for planning and managing an awards program will help you map out a plan for success.
Spark Consulting
MARCH 5, 2025
Free samples are a time-honored tradition at bakeries. You walk in and there, on the counter, are bite-sized samples of some of the wares available for sale. You might have come in for a loaf of bread or a cup of coffee, but that taste of a croissant or a bear claw or a palmier prompts you to add a few treats to your order. Associations can do the same thing.
Achurch
APRIL 8, 2025
Associations juggle tons of member and operational data across multiple platforms. If its not well-managed, youll run into messy, inconsistent, and even risky data situations. Data governance (DG) isnt about overcomplicating things its about making sure your data actually works for you. Common Data Headaches for Associations Unclear Purpose: Some data is collected out of habit, not because its useful.
Association Adviser
FEBRUARY 5, 2025
The 2024 Association Benchmarking Report highlights a critical insight: data and strategy teams are the most understaffed areas in associations, with nearly half of respondents reporting a lack of resources to effectively leverage data. This gap presents a significant challenge.
Speaker: Jessica Bonney from VICA and Jeff Horne from Wicket
What does delivering an exceptional member experience mean in today's world? With the right insights, tools, and strategies, you can identify what truly matters to your members, drive meaningful engagement at scale, and continue to meet the ever-evolving needs of your members. Join association experts Jessica Bonney from VICA and Jeff Horne from Wicket who will share practical insights on how to build an exceptional member-driven experience by gaining a deeper understanding of your members and d
Wild Apricot
FEBRUARY 9, 2025
If you're looking to create or update your nonprofit's donation website, check out these templates from WildApricot + examples to get you inspired.
The Association 100
MARCH 9, 2025
In this Association Insights video , I explore what associations can learn from corporate crisis communication strategies. Preparation, transparency and control over the narrative are essential to maintaining trust in difficult moments. Associations should have a crisis plan in place, ensuring clear steps for messaging and stakeholder outreach. Transparency builds credibility.
NXUnite
MARCH 19, 2025
Picture this: Your small business has been operating online only, but now youre ready to open a physical storefront. To generate excitement and attract new customers, you host a grand opening event with drinks, snacks, and a 10% discount on every purchase. At the end of the day, youve had your most successful day of sales yet and positive feedback from community members who are excited to come back.
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