CNE Blog

Why Nonprofits Need to Give Workers a Sense of Purpose

Many nonprofit leaders assume that their mission is enough to make work meaningful for their teams through extrinsic rewards, but researchers suggest a purpose gap exists among most nonprofit workers. Explore how nonprofits can shrink this purpose gap without…

Are Millennial Runners Influenced by Philanthropy?

Nearly all millennial runners have participated in a running event that supported a cause or charity—but the cause wasn’t the primary reason they participated. Learn more on how to improve your charitable races with these findings.

The Power of Convening for Social Impact

Bringing people together in an environment that encourages and facilitates idea exchange is one of the most powerful communications strategies for driving change and progress.

The Power of Convening for Social Impact

What Are Nonprofit Boards Concerned About in 2016?

The Nonprofit Quarterly conducted a “pulse” survey of nonprofit boards major concerns in 2016. Read more to discover the concerns of nonprofit boards across the country.

What Are Nonprofit Boards Concerned About in 2016?

Community Engagement Matters (Now More Than Ever)

Data-driven and evidence-based practices present new opportunities for public and social sector leaders to increase impact while reducing inefficiency. Learn how leaders can design and implement programs in ways that engage community members directly in the work of social…

A Checklist for Making Faster, Better Decisions

The Harvard Business Review explores ways to consistently make better decisions by using practices and technologies based on behavioral economics.

A Checklist for Making Faster, Better Decisions

Statehouse Scrutiny

For nearly a quarter century, a network of research and advocacy groups has kept a close eye on US state-level policymaking. Read more about how state governments affect nonprofits.

Statehouse Scrutiny

How to Select the Right Freelancer for the Work

Public and private sector organizations are increasing their dependence on external expertise. Selection of freelancers often looks at the obvious: expertise, relevant experience, cultural fit, availability and cost. But beyond these basics, Harvard Business Review has found…

A Policy of Service: Batten Student Consultants Lend a Hand to Non-Profits

Learn how UVA public policy students are utilizing their analytic skills as consultants for Charlottesville nonprofits.

A Policy of Service: Batten Student Consultants Lend a Hand to Non-Profits

The Role of Philanthropy and Nonprofits in Increasing US Voter Turnout

Virginia’s primaries are now behind us; however, we still have 9 more months of the presidential election ahead. Voter turnout is projected to remain modest, so what can the social sector do to improve voter turnout in…

The Modern Marriage Between Tech Philanthropy and Nonprofits: “It’s Complicated”

Our modern relationship with technology is full of promise. But does our culture’s celebration of the male-dominated tech world end up overshadowing critical skills like empathy that are required for social change?

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Second-Generation Collective Impact

What separates collective impact efforts that spin their wheels from those that continue to gain traction for years to come? Former CNE board member, Saphira Baker, outlines the four elements that are essential to keep the flame burning: results,…

The Magic of 30-Minute Meetings

How did an hour become our gold standard time allotment for basically everything? Learn how 30 minutes could improve and compress both your work life and your personal life.

The Magic of 30-Minute Meetings

Could Giving Circles Rebuild Philanthropy from the Bottom Up?

Grassroots philanthropy could provide a healthier way of funding social change, but it also has its limitations.

Could Giving Circles Rebuild Philanthropy from the Bottom Up?

Managing Defiance on a Nonprofit Board: A University Case

How should a board respond to a board member who publicly criticizes its decisions?

Managing Defiance on a Nonprofit Board: A University Case

The Power of Lean Data

Interested in useful data collection? Read up on how lean data designs can offer high-quality impact data quickly and inexpensively.

The Power of Lean Data

The Magic of a Good Dashboard

What is the magic behind a nonprofit board dashboard? Learn more about keeping conversations with your board and staff on the same page.

The Magic of a Good Dashboard

UVA Students Found Social Network App for Funding Charities

UVA students are helping raise money for local charities through friendly competitions on a new social networking app.

UVA Students Found Social Network App for Funding Charities

Building Capacity Through Networks

Capacity Building 3.0? It has arrived – with powerful implications for nonprofits that leverage networks with other nonprofits.

Building Capacity Through Networks

The Gender Gap in Charitable Giving

Should your non-profit be tailoring fundraising efforts to reach women? The Wall Street Journal explores gender’s role in charitable behavior.

The Gender Gap in Charitable Giving

Measuring What Matters

Find out about the five grant performance measurement traps and how to avoid them.

Measuring What Matters

The 2016 Nonprofit Communications Trends Report [Infographic]

Interested in improving your communications strategy? Take a look at the 2016 Nonprofit Communications Trends Report to get started.

The 2016 Nonprofit Communications Trends Report

Amplify Your Voice with Facebook Ads

Struggling with how to market yourself on social media? Check out this article explaining how Facebook aims to support nonprofits with free ad credits.

Amplify Your Voice with Facebook Ads

Five Fundraising Resolutions for 2016

Check out these tips to maintain fundraising efforts in 2016.

Five Fundraising Resolutions for 2016

Developing Leadership from the Inside Out

Does your non-profit have a high turnover rate of hires? Harvard Business Review talks about the importance of an internal pipeline.

Developing Leadership from the Inside Out