Ethics

Establishing standards of responsible stewardship is crucial for reinforcing the trust that your supporters place in your organization. The National Council of Nonprofits provides a comprehensive set of guidelines to help you develop your organization’s code of ethics. By adhering to these principles, you can effectively demonstrate your commitment to transparency and accountability, ensuring that your supporters feel confident in their financial, emotional, and intellectual investment in your organization. For more information, visit the National Council for Nonprofits.

Volunteer Management

Boost your organization’s visibility by posting volunteer opportunities on VolunteerMatch, the leading platform for connecting volunteers with nonprofit organizations. Last year, this site saw an impressive 3.4 million visitors, resulting in 475,000 successful volunteer referrals. Beyond simply linking you with potential volunteers, the VolunteerMatch website also provides essential resources for those managing volunteer programs, such as tools for tracking volunteer hours and a new monthly newsletter. While registration is quick and easy, it's important to note that some advanced services may come with a fee.

Another valuable resource for volunteer managers is the comprehensive volunteer management library offered by Energize, Inc. This library is packed with proven advice, covering topics like the dollar value of volunteer time and the necessity of implementing risk management policies to protect those who generously contribute their time and skills to your organization.

The Canadian Knowledge Hub for Giving and Volunteering is a vital online resource for data and insights on charitable activities in Canada. Utilizing information from sources like Statistics Canada's General Social Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating (GSS-GVP), the hub illustrates how data can enhance organizational strategies. The website offers a variety of resources, including reports on giving trends, data literacy tools, and infographics, all designed to support the nonprofit sector. By providing access to key statistics and analysis, the Knowledge Hub empowers organizations to effectively leverage Canadians' contributions of time and money, helping them achieve their missions and maximize their community impact.

Advocacy

The Arts Impact Explorer, created by Americans for the Arts, is a valuable advocacy tool designed to educate local decision-makers about the social, cultural, educational, and economic benefits of Arts and Culture in fostering healthy and vibrant communities. This interactive explorer wheel presents national factsheets that showcase sample projects, key impact points, and selected publications.

National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, has created a series of Issue Briefs that highlight the importance of the arts in public policy. One of these resources, focused on Native Communities, provides guidance on how state arts agencies can strengthen their relationships with Indigenous communities. Other titles in the series include "Arts Agency Equity Strategies" and "Better Together: Public and Private Arts Investments." Additionally, NASAA’s advocacy tools and research help organizations grow support for the arts in their communities, shape federal policy, and give state arts agencies a persuasive voice.

Research

SMU DataArts is a valuable resource for organizations seeking grants, tracking their progress, informing decision-making, and strengthening their case to stakeholders. The DataArts website offers various resources to support your arts organization, including Analytic Reports, Training and Support, Cultural Data Networks, The Cultural Data Profile, and a Workforce Demographics Survey. To learn more and explore DataArts further, please visit Cultural Data.

Fundraising and Finance

The importance of enhancing visibility for nonprofit organizations is underscored by the fact that five million individuals visited GuideStar last year to explore its extensive database. Currently, GuideStar is encouraging nonprofits to enrich their profiles with comprehensive information directly from the organizations. While this process may take some time and thoughtful consideration, presenting detailed information effectively can greatly improve your visibility to potential funders interested in supporting similar causes.

It is important to note that all users, including casual browsers, must register on GuideStar, but the registration process is straightforward and quick. Last year, this platform was recognized as one of the top ten resources, and you can soon expect to find many new features, including a well-structured guide for preparing 990 forms.

The National Council of Nonprofits is the largest network of nonprofits in North America, and its website features articles on the latest operational trends and public policy developments. Additionally, it offers a toolkit for arts and culture professionals and provides advocacy advice to help expand your nonprofit's mission.

Community-Centric Fundraising includes a model based on principles of equity and social justice. As fundraising practices evolve, it is essential for arts professionals to engage in meaningful discussions and explore methods that reduce harm while promoting social justice. This website offers articles and resources for anyone interested in learning more about the community-centric fundraising movement and how to apply its principles within their own organization.

The Canada Council for the Arts (Council) is vital for supporting Canadian artists and arts organizations, offering six main grant programs that foster diverse artistic endeavors. To enhance transparency, the Council encourages grant recipients to acknowledge their funding, showcasing the public value of support for the arts. Looking ahead, new initiatives like Micro-grants and Composite Activities are set to launch in 2025, streamlining access to funding for professional growth. As the Council modernizes its services, it remains a key resource for artists and arts organizations throughout Canada.

Arts Education

The Arts Education Alliance is a collaborative effort that brings together key organizations such as the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), the National Art Education Association (NAEA), the National Association for Media Arts Education (NAMAE), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). The website offers a variety of resources, including insightful articles that highlight the critical role of arts education.

In addition, Americans for the Arts provides an extensive library dedicated to advocating for the significance of arts education. For a wealth of tools, testimonials, and tip sheets, be sure to explore their Public Awareness Campaign page.

Additional Resources

No exploration of resources for board members would be truly comprehensive without highlighting BoardSource, which is hosted by the National Center for Nonprofit Boards. This platform has long been recognized as one of the most dependable sources of nonprofit information available online. However, it's important to note that it no longer makes our top ten list, as access to most of its resources now comes with a fee. That said, if you are unfamiliar with the site, it remains well-organized and merits a visit for its valuable insights.

A well-known resource among Canadian artists and art enthusiasts, Artists in Canada, is a dynamic online platform that showcases a wide range of Canadian artistic talent. Featuring artist profiles, gallery listings, and art resources, it serves as a key hub for discovering and promoting Canadian art. The user-friendly site allows visitors to explore art by medium, location, and price, making it invaluable for collectors and art lovers alike. With its free listing service, Artists in Canada helps artists gain visibility and connect with potential buyers, solidifying its role as an essential resource in the Canadian art community.

For the sake of impartiality, our collection of articles relevant to leaders in arts and culture management, Arts Insights, researched and written by team members from Arts Consulting Group, or republished with permission of outside authors and arts service organizations, is excluded from this list. However, we hope that you will also find it useful and encourage you to bookmark it as well.