Why Producing Creative Product is Challenging

By Sarah Cortell Vandersypen | February 26, 2018

Creative Products are different than consumer products. As an artist, I find it very challenging to advertise for my services. This is a challenge that most people in nonprofit organizations who are dedicated to produce creative products. Demand is uncertain. Unlike consumer products and other services, it is difficult to calculate the demand for an…

Making Your Organization Stand Out

By Sarah Cortell Vandersypen | February 5, 2018

Marketing is becoming more convenient and accessible everyday, especially with the easy use of marketing tools on social media. However, this makes the competition very difficult for organizations because we have to compete with thousands of ads on the newsfeed. Researching the audience is something that is often overlooked, so here are some ways to…

Announcing a new workshop series: Fundraising Fundamentals

By Sarah Cortell Vandersypen | January 23, 2018

We are excited to announce the launch of a new fundraising series called Fundraising Fundamentals. When Sarah was at the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, she discovered her love of teaching others. She launched a professional development series for the nonprofits she worked with in her capacity at the Grants & Community Development Director.…

Storytelling

By Sarah Cortell Vandersypen | January 19, 2018

Storytelling for nonprofit organizations is a very powerful tool that can connect you and what you do to the community. Storytelling is engaging, and helps people get a sense of your achievements at a much deeper level. Here are two free ways of storytelling that could also be the most effective ways to market for…

It’s Okay to Say No

By Sarah Cortell Vandersypen | January 6, 2018

Nonprofits operate on different types of donations. Although the essential aspect of nonprofit organizations is fundraising, not all money is worth taking! In 2015 Girls Scout of Western Washington had to make an important decision. They were offered a $100,000 donation, but the donor insisted that they promise not to use that money in support…

Volunteers – Another Tool in Your Toolbox

By Sarah Cortell Vandersypen | December 23, 2017

Introduction to Philanthropic Partners’ Intern My name is Sinella Aghasi Moshabad. I am currently a Doctor of Musical Arts student with a concentration in Violin Performance and a minor in Arts Administration at LSU. I am excited to be interning with Philanthropic Partners this winter/spring. I have been involved with non-profit organizations in different capacities for…

Seeking Unicorn Intern

By Sarah Cortell Vandersypen | October 16, 2017

Throughout my undergraduate and graduate education, I had the opportunity to participate in incredible internship experiences. Like Smithsonian and National Gallery incredible. As my own business is expanding, I am ready to take on an intern to assist with client projects and grow the consulting firm. Are you the unicorn I’m looking for? Are you…

AFP Position on the Repeal of the Johnson Amendment

By Sarah Cortell Vandersypen | February 27, 2017

If you pay attention to politics at all, especially things that impact the nonprofit sector, you’ve certainly heard some talk about the Johnson Amendment. Many – if not most -of us in the nonprofit sector are against the repeal of the Johnson Amendment. It will fundamentally change how we operate. Below is the official position…

What are those letters behind your name?

By Sarah Cortell Vandersypen | January 5, 2017

In March 2016, I became a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). The CFRE is the first globally-recognized credential for fundraising professionals. There are less than 5,900 professionals that hold the CFRE designation world-wide. What does it take to be a CFRE? Fundraising professionals must meet a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the…

Overtime Rules and Pay Fairness in the Nonprofit Sector

By Sarah Cortell Vandersypen | December 16, 2016

A few weeks ago, a federal district judge in Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking new overtime rules that would have brought about raises for about 4.2 million American workers. Nonprofit organizations, many that spent 6 months studying and planning for these changes, are now temporarily off the hook for making changes. I would…