When starting a 501(c)(3) organization, there are generally two choices for classifying the organization: private foundation or public charity. Public charities represent the largest share (72%) of active, 501(c)(3) organizations. Their purpose is to perform charitable work, while private foundations…
Healthy things grow. That goes for both people and organizations. All but the smallest of businesses grow and evolve over time. Often it is a necessity to keep up with changes in the business environment, regulatory change, or simply changes…
When it comes to staying compliant with state regulations governing fundraising, it’s pretty safe to say you want to do things the right way. And, if you are fundraising in multiple states, you will want to comply with the registration…
So, you’re planning on starting a new nonprofit sometime soon. Maybe you’ve heard something about incorporating, but you don’t fully understand what that means. Or, someone told you to form an LLC instead. There’s a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding…
Your nonprofit organization has received donations. Fantastic news! But… do you need to concern yourself with the state’s fundraising registration process? You see words like charitable solicitation, but what does that mean? What actions give rise to a nonprofit needing…
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…
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…
The IRS has all sorts of rules about what your nonprofit can and can’t do and still maintain 501(c)(3), tax-exempt status. In this article, we’re focusing on the rules concerning the who. Specifically, who can and can’t fulfill certain roles…
When you start a charitable organization, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is selecting your board of directors. Your board is legally responsible for governance, fiduciary, and strategic oversight of your nonprofit corporation. This usually includes ratification of your initial bylaws, as well as overseeing…
Maintaining timely and accurate financial records is one of the most important responsibilities facing every nonprofit organization. But doing it right is time-consuming, and the rules are complicated.