501 Commons

Mission

We all rise when nonprofits thrive. At 501 Commons, we serve nonprofits as experts, innovators, and partners. Our passion is to amplify the strengths of nonprofits - so ALL people and communities flourish. We serve organizations that range from those with no staff to hundreds of employees. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve many organizations based in or predominantly serving BIPOC communities and organizations in most Washington counties each year.

Description

501 Commons makes it possible for nonprofits of all sizes and types to access the support, resources, and expertise they need. So far in 2022, we've worked on 929 engagements with 630+ organizations, including 66 "by and for" organizations based in BIPOC communities. We have provided these organizations with accounting, data services, human resources, technology, coaching, management consulting, free advisory services, and more. Earlier this spring, 1,500+ organizations participated in GiveBIG, which we work hard to produce alongside our partners. Overall, 2,000+ organizations benefit from our services annually.

Your contributions make it possible for us to provide services such as:

• Free nonprofit advisory services to 272 organizations
• Management consulting and coaching on a sliding fee scale
• Low-cost quick consults in technology, finance, and HR
• 6 hours of free executive advising
• Affordable learning opportunities for staff, board members, and volunteers
• Free GiveBig Campaign Assistance for 6 organizations based in Black and Indigenous communities
• $20,000 in free services to BIBOC organizations

Program Highlight: Exec2Exec

During the last two years, nonprofit leaders have faced constant change that has impacted their staffing, funding, role in the community, internal focus, and much more. With the support of 501 Commons Executive Service Corps members and community members, we started Exec2Exec. Nonprofit executives pair up with a trusted advisor in a confidential and safe setting for up to 6 hours to talk through a challenge or try to see an issue from a different perspective.

Here’s what Jon Hoekstra, executive director of Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, has to say about Exec2Exec: "The six hours of coaching have been amazing as what I thought was a simple question opened a rich dialogue that is helping me center this new program in our strategic plan, and that has given me some fresh perspectives on how to better align and focus on other programs, too."

Stories of Service

Russ Browne, Board Treasurer at Seattle Collaborative Orchestra, shared his experience working with one of our Financial Services team members: “Tammy Baughman was wonderful, and her changes to our books, as well as her guidance and support, were exactly what we needed to be able to better understand and fully use our accounting system for accuracy and accountability."

Colette August of the Tahoma Indian Center found the process of working with 501 Commons Financial Services to be highly beneficial: "...we were able to get profound knowledge on what processes are working great and other we can improve or eliminate altogether. They were able to provide clear and consistent KPIs and what we could expect after we have completed our time with them." 

Kirk Hovenkotter of Move Redmond: "Our three-person nonprofit has been able to confidently make hires and develop organizational policies with the support of 501 Commons HR services. I would strongly recommend them to any organization looking to build a healthy, supportive organization."

Your donations will make it possible for us to continue to provide free executive advising, deploy skilled volunteers, and increase our Finance and Human Resources consulting teams to meet the needs of nonprofits.

Recognition

We owe immense gratitude to our board of directors, staff of 50+ dedicated professionals, and the 570 members of our Executive Service Corps who graciously share their time and talents with nonprofits.