Category Archives: Managing a Nonprofit

This Year’s Form 990 is a Very Big Deal

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Greg McRay, EA

The filing deadline for the 2009 Form 990 is May 17, 2010 for 501(c)(3) and other tax-exempt organizations running on a calendar year basis.  There is nothing particularly new about that.  What IS new is that this year’s filing obligation … Continue reading →

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News For Nonprofits

Posted on January 26, 2010 by Greg McRay, EA

As long-time readers of our articles know, most of our posts focus on tips and best practices for effective nonprofit management.  This post is going to be a little different.  There is so much going on right now that affects … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Hot Topics, Managing a Nonprofit, Starting a nonprofit | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

Avoiding 501(c)(3) Founder’s Syndrome

Posted on January 12, 2010 by Greg McRay, EA

Founder’s syndrome.  It affects nonprofits and for-profits alike.  And it can be crippling to any organization.  Understanding what it is and how to avoid it is crucial to the future of your 501(c)(3). Taken from that most-reputable of sources, Wikipedia, … Continue reading →

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How Year-End Contribution Statements Can Raise Money

Posted on January 5, 2010 by Greg McRay, EA

It’s one of those administrative tasks that must be done every year:  mailing your donors a year-end statement of their contributions.  Even if you are receipting on a per gift basis, a year-end itemized report is a best practice that … Continue reading →

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Are You Misappropriating Your Nonprofit’s Funds?

Posted on December 16, 2009 by Greg McRay, EA

One of the things that you learn quickly when starting and operating a 501(c)(3) organization is that you have to handle money wisely.  A nonprofit is no different than any other business in that you must make ends meet.  Otherwise, … Continue reading →

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Year-End To-Do List for Nonprofits

Posted on December 8, 2009 by Greg McRay, EA

Well, we are pretty much down to it.  There are only a few, short weeks left in 2009…and during much of that time, most of us will be preoccupied with all things Christmas.  But in all the hustle and bustle, … Continue reading →

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Strategic Thinking For Your Nonprofit’s Year-End

Posted on November 10, 2009 by Greg McRay, EA

2009 is rapidly coming to a close.  And once again, we find ourselves amazed at how fast the year has gone by.  Funny how we have this conversation every year, but we act like it’s the first time it went … Continue reading →

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Six Ways to Really Scare Away Your Donors

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Greg McRay, EA

Halloween is upon us…and there is no more appropriate topic that we could cover than how to effectively scare away donors.  In the, um, spirit of the season, let’s look at six ways to guarantee donors will want nothing to … Continue reading →

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Conflict Within Your Nonprofit – Handle With Care

Posted on October 21, 2009 by Greg McRay, EA

The honeymoon is over.  It seems like yesterday that everyone was full of passion, vision and warm fuzzies.  You were going to save the world and nothing could stand in your way.  Now, passions have cooled, visions have diverged and … Continue reading →

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Surviving an IRS 501(c)(3) Audit – Five Rules

Posted on October 13, 2009 by Greg McRay, EA

In our last post, we took a look at five of the most common sources that could spark an IRS examination or audit of your 501(c)(3) organization (or other nonprofit).  In this article, we’re going to equip you with five … Continue reading →

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IRS 501(c)(3) Audits – 5 Potential Sources

Posted on September 30, 2009 by Greg McRay, EA

There is one phrase in the English language that generates more fear and trepidation than any other out there:  IRS AUDIT.  Just hearing the words is enough to cause many a fearless person to break out in a cold sweat … Continue reading →

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Nonprofit Board Members – Choose Wisely

Posted on September 24, 2009 by Greg McRay, EA

No decision you make regarding your nonprofit organization carries more importance than who is chosen to lead it.  The members of your board of directors make up the governing body of your nonprofit and are legally accountable for its actions.  … Continue reading →

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The Challenges of Expanding Your Nonprofit

Posted on August 25, 2009 by Greg McRay, EA

One of the most challenging situations your nonprofit organization can face is the need to expand.  It is also an exciting challenge.  Compared with the alternative of diminishing effectiveness and shrinking support, growth is a good thing.  At least it … Continue reading →

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Cultivating and Maintaining an Active Donor Base

Posted on August 19, 2009 by Charles Reasonover

So, you want new donors?  You want to make sure that you keep getting funds from the donors you currently have?  What are you doing to make sure that both of these things are happening?  If you lack a strategy and … Continue reading →

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Safeguard Your Mission: How to Protect Your Nonprofit from Fraud

Posted on August 12, 2009 by Greg McRay, EA

Fraud is a word that conjures up many images in your mind.  Maybe your definition of fraud is someone lying to you, stealing from you or conspiring against you while pretending to help you.  All of these are true…and it … Continue reading →

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