Nonprofit Observer
Showing 145–160 of 242 results
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Have your bylaws kept pace with your nonprofit’s growth?
Fall 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 513
Abstract: A nonprofit’s bylaws should be detailed enough to address all organizational issues but flexible enough to provide institutional stability. If they no longer achieve this delicate balance — or perhaps never did — it’s time to amend them. This article advises organizations to form a bylaws committee, focus on their mission and ensure bylaws conform with their articles of incorporation and relevant state statutes.
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From overhead to impact – Attitudes about nonprofit spending are changing
Fall 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 524
Abstract: In 2013, three of the biggest charity watchdogs publicly addressed the “overhead myth,” urging donors to focus on other nonprofit performance factors. This year, the White House Office of Management and Budget stated that at least 10% of federal dollars awarded to nonprofit grantees should pay for indirect costs. The article discusses changing attitudes among watchdogs, donors, grantmakers and the media and how nonprofits can benefit from the change by promoting their programs’ community impact.
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Yes, you do need investment policies
Fall 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 646
Abstract: Investment policies aren’t only for nonprofits with millions to invest. Most organizations can benefit from rules designed to help manage reserve funds responsibly and minimize investment risk. This article suggests creating individual investment pools and designing guidelines for each according to their purpose and time horizon. The article also covers asset allocation decisions.
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How to protect your nonprofit from cybercrime
Fall 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 857
Abstract: Any nonprofit that has a computer network or collects financial or personal information — in other words, most nonprofits — risks data theft. So it’s critical to have effective cybersecurity policies and sophisticated protections in place. This article explains why nonprofits are particularly vulnerable to data theft and how they can fight back by following data handling rules, educating staffers about common cybercrime schemes and establishing a board technology committee. A sidebar discusses cyber liability insurance.
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New IRS guidance – Calculating UBTI for employee benefits organizations
Summer 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 394
Abstract: Earlier this year, the IRS proposed regulations clarifying how certain nonprofit organizations that provide employee benefits must calculate their unrelated business taxable income (UBTI). The new regulations affect several types of “covered entities,” including voluntary employees’ beneficiary associations (VEBAs) and supplemental unemployment benefit trusts (SUBs). This article looks at the details.
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Fiscal oversight: Is your board making the grade?
Summer 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 865
Abstract: Nonprofits may not face the same government regulations or public scrutiny as for-profit public companies do, but that doesn’t mean they can afford to get slack about financial governance. Donors, watchdog groups and the media are paying increased attention, and many nonprofits now have both finance and audit committees. This article discusses the role they play and how best to staff them. A sidebar looks at the different responsibilities of finance and audit committees.
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Amp up your fundraising efforts with a sustainer program
Summer 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 578
Abstract: For years, public broadcasting stations have successfully marketed sustaining memberships to their listeners and viewers — and now other nonprofits are catching on. Properly designed and implemented, a sustainer program can provide an organization with a strong, predictable income stream, raise its public profile and increase donor loyalty. However, as this article explains, nonprofits that decide to adopt the sustainer model must take the long view.
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Why your nonprofit needs a social media policy
Summer 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 604
Abstract: Participation in social media (SM) is no longer optional — and can be a boon to organizations that use it wisely. But SM websites may be dangerous when, for example, unsupervised staff members post messages from the nonprofit’s account. This article describes some of the risks involved and suggests guidelines that can help alleviate them.
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5 strategies for recruiting new board members
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 446
Abstract: A board is a nonprofit’s backbone, responsible for the strategic decisions and fiscal oversight that keep the organization running and its reputation with the public intact. Unfortunately, many nonprofits are always short a few board members and finding new ones is a never-ending quest. This article offers five steps to better board member recruiting.
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Fiscal sponsorships – Extending a “hand up” to new nonprofits
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 612
Abstract: Fiscal sponsorships can benefit established nonprofits as well as charitable projects that lack 501(c)(3) status. Such relationships can provide much-needed infrastructure and fiscal management to a project, make more funds available, and enhance the project’s credibility. But as this article discusses, before agreeing to sponsor a group, it’s important to understand how such sponsorships work and the potential risks involved.
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Should you offer an accountable plan? Tax advantages for nonprofit staffers
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 630
Abstract: If a nonprofit’s employees submit expense reports, it can’t reimburse them tax-free — unless it has an accountable plan. With this accounting procedure in place, there’s no requirement to report reimbursed expenses as earnings, and employees don’t owe taxes on the amount. This article explains how to establish and administer an accountable plan and what reimbursement procedures must be followed.
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Using insurance to manage your nonprofit’s risk
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 784
Abstract: Insurance can’t protect a nonprofit from every contingency, but it’s critical to protecting the people, property, funds and support the organization depends on. Many kinds of insurance coverage are available to nonprofits, but it’s unlikely an organization needs all of them. This article looks at the different kinds of insurance available and what they offer, with a sidebar specifically discussing directors and officers insurance.
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Giving USA survey – Donations are up but funding challenges remain
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 415
Abstract: Every year, the Giving USA Foundation, in partnership with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, surveys nonprofits to gauge the health of charitable giving. The most recent Giving USA report is cautiously optimistic, showing modestly higher giving levels. This article looks at some of the numbers and offers suggestions for increasing donations.
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Unbudgeted expenses? Operating reserves can help
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 637
Abstract: Even the best-laid plans can go awry. A major grant an organization counted on could fall through or its facilities might require emergency repairs. And, as many nonprofits have learned in recent years, even slightly lower-than-anticipated donations can make meeting obligations difficult. This article discusses how to increase and manage cash reserves to help cushion the blow of unbudgeted expenses, while also noting the dangers of having too much in reserve.
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Partnership power – Cause marketing can boost your charity’s profile
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 550
Abstract: One source of support many charities may not have seriously considered is a corporate partnership known as cause marketing. Although corporations and nonprofits have been teaming up for mutual benefit for decades, cause marketing is gaining new popularity in the Internet age. This article looks at different forms of cause marketing, such as transactional giving, message promotion, and licensing.
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Setting executive compensation – How to attract the best without attracting criticism
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 857
Abstract: Nonprofits need to offer enticing executive compensation packages to attract and retain top talent. But the IRS can impose excise taxes if it considers a nonprofit executive’s compensation “excessive.” At the same time, nonprofits must provide adequate incentives to ensure executives are accountable for achieving organizational goals. This article examines how to attract the best candidates without overpaying them or running afoul of the IRS or watchdog groups. A sidebar offers ways besides cash to compensate staff.