Using Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media tool in fundraising means following the proper party etiquette - here's how to get going.

The desire for that one big donor to take care of it all is understandable. It's also misguided.

Fundraising involves competition with others also trying to raise money. Here is a strategy to win.

You've all gotten the year end appeal letter, the one that blames the organization's budget shortfall on the recession. But that's not the real story.

What happens when you have to make the same pitch to funders over and over again?

How do you know when you need an actual donor database? What kind of advantages does it bring?

Latinos represent the fastest growing population in the US. What will be their role in philanthropy?

Nonprofits and funders in our sector need to operate with a clear picture of the key players, relationships, and track records involved in our issue areas.

In this fiscal climate, everyone has to do more with less. This means doing more with others. How do you do strategic planning for greater partnerships?

How can nonprofits document the effect of their programs? Here's one idea for our sector to tackle this critical issue.

Nonprofit leaders can face pressure from funders, board members, clients, and yes, even themselves, to constantly grow. How healthy is this?

You've never hired a consultant before but it's clear you need some outside help. How do you figure out which consultant is going to make for a good fit?

You've never hired a consultant before but it's clear you need some outside help. How do you figure out which consultant is going to make for a good fit?

Finding and recruiting the right staff members is one of the key arts of leadership.

Free services can provide needed support... just don't think that they are actually free.

I sense we're outgrowing our skin in so many areas. But I don't have a lot of money and can't afford to spend unless it's really necessary. How do I figure that out?

Our website is a few years old and some aspects are outdated. But it's hard for me to justify to the board (and me) the expense of redoing it in a major way. Should we just bite the bullet?

Revisiting a recent question about "When do I need a new website," here are some thoughts about the internal (versus just external perception) benefits of a redesign process.

Executive directors, especially new ones, need to pay close attention to this question from the beginning.

Beyond the general traits listed in part one of this topic, what specific value should you seek when constructing your board?

You absolutely must develop bench strength. Think about conferences as professional development opportunities for your middle management.

There is an obvious way to make fewer mistakes as a leader: get a coach who has already made those mistakes.

Executive directors can spend a not trivial amount of money and time going to conferences. How do you get the best return on investment?

Most nonprofit leaders would benefit from receiving regular mentoring. How do you go about getting what you need?

What does it mean to be in the field of social innovation for the long haul? Learn from someone who achieved one of the greatest social innovations in history... about how not to do it.

Any globally minded nonprofit leader should recognize that the picture of the future will prominently feature China. What is the future of NGO's in the world's populous country?

Social enterprise, the effort to use business related activities to make a social impact, is at a cross roads.

The best way to read about a subject is... to not read about that subject.

Where are the greatest number of social entrepreneurs to be found? Not where you might think they are.

If you’re wondering which IT investments you should make that will generate the highest return, you should think of yourself as a store manager. And then ask the following two questions: 1) How do we get customers into the door? and 2) How do we react when they’ve entered?

Nonprofits should take a lesson from where software is headed: do better by doing less.

Donor information is only one kind of data critical to nonprofits. You also need to track and analyze volunteers, clients, events, and more.

Nonprofits serving the poor should have more in the motivational toolkit than just guilt or compassion.

Your strategy for social change often depends on recognizing this key distinction.

Struggling with buyer's remorse with Opportunity Collaboration 2010.

Friends who are playing golf will sometimes allow each other to “take a mulligan.” For the non-golfers out there, this means that when a player makes an especially horrible shot, they can try again and not suffer the consequences on the scorecard.

We need to figure out new partnerships to address impact measurement.

Steve Jobs was not much of a philanthropist during his life. And yet he did give to our sector—very much so. What he contributed was the radical leveling of the technological playing field.

Amidst the stress of year-end fundraising campaigns, a nonprofit leader like yourself may be focused on getting gifts given to your organization. But don’t forget that your own well-being is critical to the mission, and you should look out for what can help you thrive personally in your role. Below are some ideas for gifts that you may want to give yourself this season.

Happy Holidays and thanks for the work you do for us all!

An interview with Ellen Moir, founder and executive director of New Teacher Center (NTC).