Tonight’s title match: In the red corner, numbering 948,954, representing over half of all 501(c)(3) organizations, are public charities. And in the blue corner, numbering 108,594, having increased 54% since 1998, are the 501(c)(3)s known as private foundations. Both competitors bring a long and varied history into the ring. Though greatly outnumbered by public charities, [...]
How to Pay Your Nonprofit’s Staff
Last week we looked at some key points regarding nonprofit executive compensation. This week, we want to take a closer look at best practices for paying everyone else your organization employs. Payroll for nonprofits is a complex issue already. Certain rules and exceptions apply that are different than what applies to for-profit payrolls. As if [...]
Charitable Activities in a Foreign Country
The issue of a charity having operations in a foreign country is rather complex, one that involves oversight not only by the Internal Revenue Service, but also Homeland Security. It is fraught with pitfalls that can only be avoided if you understand the rules. The Foundation Group has worked with thousands of 501(c)(3) clients with [...]
A Tale of Two Nonprofit Websites
Once upon a time, there were two websites, each belonging to a different charity. Our tale follows the adventures of these websites. The first website…we’ll call it “the good site”…was considered a real asset to its owner. While not fancy or flashy, it was nice to look at and was obviously well taken care of. [...]
How to Protect Your Nonprofit’s Board Members
Your board of directors is one of the most important assets your nonprofit has. Assuming they understand their role and are there for the right reasons, your board members provide invaluable insight, direction and oversight. They volunteer their time and expertise, usually for little more than a pat on the back. They also assume a [...]
IRS Stepping Up Nonprofit Oversight
The headline for this article is not really “new” news. The Internal Revenue Service has been stepping up enforcement of its regulations governing nonprofits for several years now. Those who have been keeping up with the changes to the Form 990 annual reporting requirement know this to be true. What is new this time is [...]
How To Get Funding For Your Nonprofit (Part II)
In last week’s blog post, we looked at a set of core principles that are critical for nonprofit organizations needing to raise financial support. If you haven’t read it yet, check that one out before diving into this one. It will make the ideas discussed below more effective. So, what are some funding strategies that [...]
How To Get Funding For Your Nonprofit
It is the burning question of every nonprofit organization: “How do we get funding?” With the economy in the dumps, and recovery looking like a distant hope, this question screams for an answer. In fact, we get more requests from newsletter subscribers for articles on funding than just about any other topic. The purpose of [...]
Five Considerations When Starting A Nonprofit in a Tough Economy
In this tough economy, nonprofit organizations are needed more now than ever. More and more people are finding themselves in difficult circumstances and, according to all available evidence, it’s going to get worse before it gets better. Despite all the assurances of government, it simply isn’t possible for government to keep up with the need. [...]
New Form 990 Problems Are Everywhere
Posted on March 2, 2009 by Greg McRay in Commentary, Hot Topics
If there is one constant in life, it’s change. And most people don’t do “change” very well…even the IRS! The new 2008 Form 990 is a complete, top-to-bottom overhaul of the form (as we’ve discussed in previous posts). As we talk with more and more clients/prospects, we’re really starting to see some trends develop…most of [...]