Many well-intentioned donors may wish to give “restricted” gifts, or gifts that are conditional or tagged for specific purposes, such as for the the development of a specific program or initiative. Unrestricted giving, however, can offer a flexibility that often better serves the organization the … Read More
For many non-profit organizations, grant money is fundamental to their funding model and securing those grants can be an anxiety-inducing task. Not only are the stakes high, but also there is often stiff competition for the same money. For these reasons, it is important to prioritize a consistent … Read More
A nonprofit’s tax exempt status is not a given once it is granted. Rather, it is an ongoing characterization that governs the way revenue is created and used. In order to maintain nonprofit exempt status, organizations must look carefully at the IRS rules that define exempt status and ensure they … Read More
Though nonprofit organizations are different in many ways from for-profit businesses, that doesn’t mean that one can’t learn from the other. For-profit business owners can benefit from adopting the community-focused approach of nonprofits, such as the many successful corporations that prioritize … Read More
D&O insurance refers to directors and officers liability insurance and it is meant to mitigate the personal responsibility of certain parties affiliated with an organization in the event of litigation. Many for-profit entities engage this type of insurance coverage, but fewer non-profits carry … Read More
One of the key roles of a board is to monitor their nonprofit's finances and to help steer it in the right direction. This is not always an easy task when those finances are too far gone, but there are some early warning signs to watch out for that, when observed and rectified at an early stage, can … Read More
Raffles can provide big payoffs for your nonprofit, but can be tricky to execute. There are several tax rules that govern raffles, and while state tax laws vary a great deal, there are some basic federal tax laws that every organization can benefit from learning about. These laws concern unrelated … Read More
An important part of every non-profit’s financial safety net is its operating reserve, which is an unrestricted and relatively liquid part of its net assets. Care should be taken to ensure this reserve is maintained, as it is a primary remedy in the event of an emergency or budget shortfall, and the … Read More
Unemployment costs can be a significant line item for nonprofits, however, it may be costing you more than it needs to. There are two strategies that your non-profit can use to be sure you are only contributing the amount of unemployment insurance that is necessary. And though the process may seem … Read More
The motivations behind American giving have been as varied as they are opaque. From various financial motivations to individual, social, or community level motivations, understanding what motivates donors and how these vary across demographic groups can help your non-profit more effectively reach … Read More