We’re not talking about just any old “thing,” we’re talking about the Internet of Things. From smartphones to smart refrigerators, the Internet of Things is making it possible for us to use connected devices to collect, share and utilize data. We’re thinking voice assistants, like Alexa and Siri that can tell you what the weather is, what the best Italian restaurant in your city is, and how much longer your cupcakes need to bake for. Today’s homes are even getting smarter and smarter. From smart thermostats that help people be more energy efficient, smart refrigerators that let you know when your produce is going bad and how much milk you have left (yes, this is a thing), and smart lightbulbs that automatically adjust based on the time of day.

As a nonprofit organization, you work hard to raise funds and promote the importance of your cause or mission. So, what happens when you find out that a local corporate social responsibility (CSR) program is focusing its efforts on the realm that you’ve committed yourself to, as well? This means that people who are socially conscious and want to dedicate themselves to a mission no longer need to work for a nonprofit, but can instead expand their job search to for-profit companies that have a strong CSR program.

Back in June of this year, NonProfit Pro published an article about the five "Donor Love Languages," stemming from Dr. Gary Chapman's well-known book about strengthening romantic relationships, "The 5 Love Languages." With Thanksgiving on the horizon, many of us really start to think about the things, people and situations that we are thankful for. Oftentimes, these include our family, friends, jobs and opportunities and Thanksgiving and the holiday season offer the ideal chance to show love and thankfulness in a very tangible way.

In times of tragedy, we often feel completely helpless as we're watching the events unfold and seeing the news stream in on TV, radio and social media. Following the events in Las Vegas this week, we saw the country come together to offer love and support to all those affected by the horrific occurrence.

We’ve heard it before: The better your data, the better your results. Data may seem boring, tedious and something that you, as a fundraiser, shouldn’t have to deal with. Think again! Data is everywhere and usable by everyone. And it’s not only useful, but can help you do more good and be more successful in your mission.