NPO
Showing 161–176 of 242 results
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Colleges and Universities Compliance Project – IRS report may apply to broader nonprofit sector
Fall 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 432
Abstract: In 2013, the IRS released its final report about its Colleges and Universities Compliance Project, which was designed to gather information about endowments, executive compensation and unrelated business income (UBI) at randomly selected institutions of higher learning. The IRS identified significant problems with the compensation of high-level individuals and with UBI tax filings. The agency’s findings should be of interest not only to colleges and universities, but to all tax-exempt organizations, because the IRS has indicated that it might expand its compliance project.
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Good timekeeping is always worth your while
Fall 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 577
Abstract: Maintaining detailed time records for staff may not be the most enjoyable task, but timekeeping is necessary for most nonprofits. However, there are ways to make the job less onerous. This article offers a number of reasons why timekeeping is critical and notes that there are many ways to track and allocate payroll and related expenses.
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Making the most of your volunteer workforce
Fall 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 676
Abstract: It’s easy for nonprofits to take their volunteers for granted and neglect to solicit their opinions or reward their talent and experience. Such neglect can cause organizations to miss out on valuable perspectives and lead to demoralized volunteers. This article looks at ways to get the most from volunteers and keep them committed by developing a formal orientation process and a “career path” that gives them a stake in the nonprofit’s success.
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Risk management: How to contain threats before they become critical
Fall 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: Financial risks may be the most obvious threats to their well-being, but nonprofits need to worry about other risks as well — from threats to their reputation in the community to their volunteers’ conduct. Nonprofits without a comprehensive risk management plan may be courting unnecessary danger. This article discusses how to identify and prioritize risks, how to develop a risk-management policy, and types of insurance that can mitigate some threats. A sidebar highlights emerging risks that nonprofits are likely to encounter in the years ahead.
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Why nonprofits need audits — even when they aren’t required
Summer 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 432
Abstract: Some nonprofits may be required to hire an outside CPA to audit their books. Even when external audits aren’t mandated, however, they’re often recommended because they can provide assurance that the organization is operating with integrity and within acceptable accounting guidelines. This article explains why external auditors are in a better position to conduct audits than staff or board members. Recommended Article
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Are you ready to respond to a PR crisis?
Summer 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 640
Abstract: Nonprofits can mentally rehearse their response to every conceivable public relations crisis and still get blindsided by something unanticipated. And thanks to the “new reality” of social media platforms and 24-hour-a-day news operations, rumors and misinformation now spread like wildfire. This article offers tips on planning for the unplannable.
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Walk the talk with a code of ethics
Summer 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 628
Abstract: Managers and their staff may know that their nonprofit is ethical — but that doesn’t mean those outside their organization do. A formal code of ethics can help communicate a nonprofit’s values and assure donors and other stakeholders that the group deserves their trust and support. This article explains the policies a code should include and how to communicate and implement it.
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Fundraising costs under attack – Why charity watchdog groups are taking aim
Summer 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 819
Abstract: Among nonprofits and watchdog organizations, almost no issue is as contentious as the cost of fundraising. The two groups have disagreed over whether joint allocation costs ought to be considered fundraising expenses and how much a charity should spend on direct-mail campaigns. This article summarizes some of the major issues of contention. A sidebar looks at the costs of gala events.
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Nonprofit fraud isn’t worse — but it’s different
Spring 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 518
Abstract: It’s a myth that nonprofits as a group suffer disproportionately high losses due to occupational fraud. Nevertheless, most nonprofits can ill afford any financial loss. This article discusses the internal controls organizations need to have in place and also why nonprofits are particularly vulnerable to inconsistent application and manager overrides of these controls.
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Heeding the silent alarm – Plan for disaster before it strikes
Spring 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 570
Abstract: Although all organizations — nonprofit and for-profit alike — need a continuity or disaster recovery plan, such plans are critical for nonprofits that provide essential human and emergency services. Yet many time- and cash-strapped nonprofits have failed to establish a plan or train employees to follow it. This article advises nonprofits to assess their risks and take steps to minimize them.
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Not if, but when – Taking your nonprofit into “the cloud”
Spring 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 480
Abstract: Cloud computing means using the Internet to access files and applications stored on remote servers — and it’s the perfect solution for nonprofit staffers who either don’t understand or don’t want to spend time dealing with IT issues. This article looks at some of the benefits, along with security and reliability concerns.
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Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – Are your employee health benefits up to snuff?
Spring 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 848
Abstract: Some of the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act have already gone into effect. Others that could affect nonprofit employers will become law in 2014. The primary employer provision of the law applies only to larger nonprofits, but the act offers a tax credit to encourage smaller nonprofits to offer health care benefits to their staff members. This article offers a summary of some of the actions nonprofit employers are expected to take. A sidebar addresses nonprofit hospital accountability.
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How to keep board meetings on time and productive
Winter 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 548
Abstract: Finding and keeping good board members can be challenging for nonprofits. It’s up to executive directors and their staffs to ensure the role isn’t harder and more time-consuming than necessary. This starts with efficient board meetings. This article looks at premeeting planning, conducting the meeting and following up.
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Annual reports — Putting your best face forward
Winter 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 658
Abstract: Everyone from major donors to grantmakers, charity watchdog groups to the government, may read a nonprofit’s annual report — and use it to make important decisions affecting the organization. As this article explains, it’s critical that annual reports be professional, substantive, accurate and interesting enough to grab and keep readers’ attention.
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Young donors are your future — Are you doing enough to attract them?
Winter 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 694
Abstract: A recent study found that Generations X and Y now represent more than half of the pool of charitable donors. But their interests, communication preferences and giving methods may differ from those of older supporters. This article examines the different characteristics of age groups and offers suggestions for attracting younger generations.
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Performance anxiety — Measuring your nonprofit’s impact
Winter 2013
Newsletter: Nonprofit Observer
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 868
Abstract: Nonprofits don’t have shareholders, but they do have stakeholders who may have different ways of evaluating an organization’s effectiveness. So a nonprofit needs to ensure that it’s operating efficiently and meeting stakeholders’ expectations. But there’s one measure of nonprofit success that’s proving popular: outcomes. This article discusses measuring outcome and how to determine performance targets, set benchmarks and communicate results. A sidebar explains how ratio analysis works.