An Annual Fund is an organized effort to obtain gifts on a yearly basis to support, at least in part, the general operations of a nonprofit organization. These unrestricted funds are typically raised through a combination of special events, direct mail, grant writing, and direct solicitation. The donor does not receive any tangible benefit – [...]
Why Nonprofit Bylaws Matter: A Tragic Tale
In working with thousands of nonprofit startups over the years, we have often experienced the proverbial glazing over of the eyes when we start talking about things such as bylaws. That’s about the last thing a typical budding social entrepreneur is thinking about when he finally decides to put action to his idea. For so [...]
10 Practical Things You Can Do This Month to Enhance Your Board
Board Meetings Do you ever look around the boardroom and wonder, “Who replaced all these brilliant people with zombies? Have you ever sat through an endless presentation and wished you could disappear into a black hole? Are your board meetings productive or do they resemble an attack of the killer rubber-stampers? Try these 5 practical [...]
Everything I Know About Fundraising I Learned From The Peanuts Gang
I loved the newspaper when I was a kid. Not because I was so concerned about the world’s events as a tot, or even to check the latest sports scores. No, it was to tear toward the back, with finger-smudging anticipation, to find out what was going on with the Peanuts Gang. Would they finally [...]
IRS Releases 2012 Work Plan for Nonprofits
It’s that time of year again. The IRS just released its Exempt Organizations 2011 Annual Report & 2012 Work Plan. Under the signature of Lois Lerner, Director of Exempt Organizations, the Report & Work Plan addresses quite a number of issues of importance to 501(c)(3) and other nonprofits. The following is a summary of a [...]
Foundation Group To Present Fundraising Workshop
I’ve got some great news to share. We just finalized the details on an intensive day-long, hands-on workshop that will give you the tools and know-how necessary to make 2012 the best fundraising year your nonprofit has ever had. Sounds bold, you say? Well, it may be bold…but come to this workshop and I suspect [...]
Merry Christmas from Foundation Group
The Christmas Story (Luke 2: 8-14) 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the [...]
Year-End To-Do List for Nonprofits
Well, we are pretty much down to it. There are only a few weeks left in 2011…and during much of that time, most of us will be preoccupied with all things Christmas. But in all the hustle and bustle, there are a few things regarding your nonprofit that require your attention. The following is a [...]
What Is Your Conflict-Of-Interest Score?
A Self-Assessment Having worked with thousands of nonprofits over the years, we have seen just about every possible scenario you could think of. At least it seems that way! One of the most common issues we encounter, especially with startups, is conflict-of-interest. It is usually of the innocent variety, meaning that the people involved didn’t [...]
Nonprofits: Is Your Tax Preparer Registered With The IRS?
Posted on January 16, 2012 by Greg McRay in Commentary, Education, Hot Topics, Managing a Nonprofit, Starting a nonprofit
It is an unfortunate reality: many self-described tax professionals are not professionals at all. They are more than willing to take a customer’s money for “professional” work that often results in a nightmare situation for the taxpayer. This includes those who advertise services to help nonprofits with IRS Form 1023, the application for 501(c)(3) status [...]