Note: This article was originally posted in June 2009. It has been one of the most read articles we have ever written, averaging nearly 1,000 views per month 2 years after publication. We are re-posting it for those who may have missed it the first time around. The king of the nonprofit world is the [...]
How to Start a Nonprofit
Helping people start nonprofit organizations is one of the most important things we do at Foundation Group. In fact, we have helped over 12,000 organizations get started since 1995. The following is really more of an overview than an exhaustive examination. Why Do You Want to Start a Nonprofit? Before we get into the “how” [...]
Nonprofit Bylaws – The Dos and Don’ts
Bring up the subject of a nonprofit’s bylaws and you are sure to get an interesting response. For many nonprofit’s, their bylaws are just some forgotten document, full of legalese, gathering dust in a file cabinet somewhere. No one on the current board of directors knows who prepared them, nor what any of the provisions [...]
Questions You Must Answer Before Starting a Nonprofit
So…you want to start a nonprofit. Fantastic! That puts you in pretty good company. In any given year, as many as 75,000 applications for 501(c)(3) tax exemption are filed with the IRS. Less than half survive the process, but there is certainly no lack of interest in doing something charitable. But what does it really [...]
News For Nonprofits
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 nonprofits, we thought it would be a good idea to provide you with a brief [...]
Avoiding 501(c)(3) Founder’s Syndrome
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, founder’s syndrome is defined as, “a pattern of negative or undesirable behavior on the part [...]
Nonprofit Board Members – Choose Wisely
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. Practically speaking, they are accountable to your supporters and beneficiaries to oversee the accomplishment of [...]
Who Really Owns a Nonprofit?
The concept of who owns a nonprofit organization can be hard for some to grasp, especially given that the answer is, “No one…and everyone!” We encounter this confusion with new clients on a fairly regular basis. And, given people’s understanding of how basic business operates, it is understandable. In order to fully appreciate the concept of [...]
Charitable Solicitations – Time to Get Compliant!
Charitable Solicitations Registration. “Never heard of it,” you say. Well, you are not alone. As astounding as it may seem, estimates of noncompliance range from 85-95% of charities and nonprofits nationwide. This level of noncompliance has persisted primarily because of 2 reasons: 1) lack of communication between state agencies and 2) grace. But, the times…they [...]
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 [...]