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. …
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,…
As we established in our Form 990 overview post, there are 5 versions of IRS Form 990, one or more of which is required to be filed annually by every 501(c) organization. Form 990-N, the shortest version and the one…
Once you’ve decided your mission, developed an operations strategy and started building a team, it’s time to prepare and file your incorporation documents and 501(c)(3) status applications. If you’ve done your homework properly in documenting your mission, strategy and plans,…
Perfecting the habit of properly documenting the activities of your nonprofit is one of the most important disciplines any new social entrepreneur can master. There's a well-worn cliché that says, "If it's not in writing, it didn't happen". When it…
One of the most important things that a nonprofit can do to build a sustainable organization is to develop a robust fundraising system. Funding for nonprofits typically comes from three sources: donations, grants, and program revenue. Each of these sources has benefits and…
As a company, the Foundation Group team works with over 1,000 new, startup nonprofits each year. One of the biggest and most frequent challenges we face when working with clients is conflict-of-interest concerns. New 501(c)(3) organizations are particularly vulnerable to…
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…
Once you know the purpose of your nonprofit organization and have an understanding of your desired ownership and controls mechanism, it is time for you to choose the type of 501(c)(3) that best represents your organization’s planned operational structure. There…
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…
