YNPN Chicago is always on the lookout for the latest in professional development and career advancement opportunities. Recently, we were notified by staff of the Kellogg School of Management of the creation of the Nonprofit Management Essentials. We reached out to Amy Stewart Smith to learn more, and tried some NME courses for ourselves.

If you've never heard of donor-advised funds (DAF), check out my blog post entitled Donor-Advised Funds 101, which goes over the concept of DAF and how donors use these funds to make gifts to non-profit organizations.

This post will take a look at how these funds have grown over the past year. They are becoming an increasingly popular giving vehicle, and their growth shows no signs of stopping.

The figures used in this post are from the National Philanthropic Trust’s 2018 DAF Report unless otherwise cited.

Still haven't gotten your tickets for Holiday Social at Revolution Brewing? We've got 10 great reasons for you to attend next Tuesday, November 27 from 6-9 p.m. 

YNPN Chicago is pleased to announce that applications are open for the 2019 Leadership Institute. This 10-month intensive cohort program will be held from January through October 2019. The curriculum focuses on developing core leadership competencies through hands-on activities that allow participants to apply what they learn in the session.

I used to hate conflict. I avoided it like the plague. There’s nothing worse than that knot in your stomach when you feel that nothing good is going to come from a situation.

Recently, I realized that true growth can only come from discomfort. When I look back, I’ve learned something from the conflicts and challenges I’ve faced. Think about times when you have really grown and become stronger. It is almost never when you are in a place of comfort. It’s through discomfort that we grow and challenge ourselves.

Writing a resume is a challenge at the best of times, made even more difficult when it comes to writing one for a nonprofit organization. Where skill and experience are equally important, nonprofit organizations are also looking for someone who is passionate about their cause and can seamlessly fit into their existing culture.

So, if you’re planning to take your next step in the nonprofit world and need to write a resume, here’s everything you need to know to ensure you can secure that interview.

If I were to stop a nonprofit worker on the street and ask to see their to-do list, chances are self-care would be right under “Ask Oprah for money.”

Self-care is like that good idea that someone told you to do once that you just wrote down to get them to leave you alone. It seems like a waste of time and energy.  

You are receiving forms in the mail with strange titles like W-2 and 1099-MISC. The vacant storefronts in your neighborhood have been filled with places like H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt. This can only mean one thing. It’s time to file your taxes.

I first negotiated my salary when I was 28 years old. I had a master’s degree, four years of full-time professional experience in the same field, and a history of advocating for additional responsibility and promotions—yet I was still nervous to come to the table.

When you work in the nonprofit sector, as we do, you’re there because of the mission of the organization. Often, this leads to a job where you wear many hats and take on new responsibilities “as necessary.” Then, to put icing on the cake that is life in the nonprofit sector, you’re probably getting paid (significantly) less than your for-profit counterpart. The next thing you know, you’re on the fast track to burnout.