| It doesn't matter whether the economy is booming or | | | | their legwork through volunteer efforts, but they can |
| busting - nonprofit organizations are always interested | | | | also find volunteers to donate time and skills to things |
| in saving money. Of course, "saving money" doesn't | | | | like building and designing websites, creating logos for |
| necessarily have to mean "cutting corners" or "doing | | | | contact cards and stationary letterheads, and writing |
| without altogether." There are plenty of ways nonprofit | | | | copy for websites, newsletters, and fliers. |
| organizations can save money and still operate | | | | 4. Do It Yourself |
| effectively and efficiently. | | | | While many people have family members or friends |
| 1. Accept Donations | | | | (or friends of friends or family members!) who are |
| Whether you need a few simple pieces of equipment | | | | skilled at tasks like writing and website and graphic |
| like telephones and cameras or larger pieces like | | | | design, not everyone will agree to provide these |
| computers and fax machines, chances are there's a | | | | services for free. If you can't find someone willing to |
| family member, friend, or another business or | | | | donate his or her services, consider doing the jobs |
| organization that's already in the market to upgrade | | | | yourself. |
| and willing to donate old supplies to you. | | | | Because there are many free and easy-to-use |
| 2. Buy Refurbished Electronics | | | | website template available, these days setting up a |
| If you can't find everything you need through donations, | | | | website costs little more than the price to purchase |
| consider buying refurbished electronics. Buying | | | | server space. If your nonprofit is a local chapter of a |
| refurbished office equipment like refurbished telecom | | | | national organization, use the national logo and create |
| systems, computers, printers, fax machines, copiers, | | | | your own stationary letterhead and contact cards. If |
| and even cameras is a great way for nonprofit | | | | you need to know how to effectively write simple |
| organizations to save money. | | | | copy for a newsletter, advertisement, or your website, |
| After customers return them to the stores (either | | | | do a little research online for tips on how to keep your |
| because they've changed their minds or found some | | | | words brief yet effective. |
| minor problem with the way the electronics functioned), | | | | 5. Find Freebies |
| manufacturers inspect the items and make any repairs | | | | Volunteer work is free for you and many do-it-yourself |
| before certifying they're ready to return to store | | | | projects are either free or cheap, but keep in mind that |
| shelves as "refurbished" items. The manufacturers | | | | there are also tools available that are completely free |
| can't sell the items at the same prices as they'd sale | | | | and in constant supply. |
| brand new items, so they sell them at significantly | | | | Open source software, for example, is a great way |
| lower costs. Purchasing refurbished electronics at | | | | for nonprofit organizations to save money on |
| lower costs than brand new electronics at regular | | | | otherwise pricey software tools. If your nonprofit |
| costs helps nonprofit organizations save money. | | | | organization regularly takes and publishes photos, look |
| 3. Look for Volunteers | | | | for free online picture editing tools such as Picnik in lieu |
| Many nonprofit organizations already acquire much of | | | | of expensive software like Photoshop. |
