The relatively new federal procurement standards significantly alter the way non-profits receiving federal funding handle purchasing. And while your organization may have changed its written policies to comply with the revised standards, it may be easier to follow the rules on paper than in practice. Summing...
Many non-profits supplement their usual income-producing activities with sponsorships or advertising programs. Although you are allowed to receive such payments, they are subject to unrelated business income tax (UBIT) unless the activities are substantially related to your organization’s tax-exempt purpose or qualify for another exemption....
Most charitable non-profits have a never-ending need for volunteers. Finding new ones can be time-consuming, and volunteer searches are not always successful. Here are three recruitment ideas that can help. Look nearby Is your non-profit familiar to businesses, residents, and schools in the surrounding community? People...
When a donor promises to make a contribution at a later date, your non-profit likely welcomes it. But such pledges can come with complicated accounting issues. What are Pledges Receivable? Pledges receivable allows non-profit organizations to recognize and account for revenue that donors have promised to give...
Your non-profit likely is governed by a core group of board members, but the addition of an informal advisory board can bring complementary and valuable skills and resources to this group. Review representation Look at your general board members’ demographics and collective profile. Does it lack representation...
For most non-profits, there is no such thing as too much good publicity. If you are struggling to gain enough attention from media outlets, follow these steps: Seize the day. Raise your non-profit’s profile by putting out news releases regularly rather than just occasionally. A...
Looking for the perfect bookkeeper is something like looking for an ideal mate. You will want to give it some serious thought about your organization’s needs before you start searching for, and commit to, the person who will handle your day-to-day accounting functions. Define the role Before...
Successful non-profits typically proceed along a standard life cycle. Their early stage precedes a growth period that runs several years, followed by maturity. At this stage, the non-profit has built its core programs and achieved a reputation in the community, but no organization can afford...
Like their for-profit counterparts, non-profits are increasingly allowing employees to telecommute. Done right, work-at-home arrangements, either full time or on an occasional basis, can pay off for both employers and employees. But you will need to be proactive to avoid some pitfalls. Bevy of benefits Primary among...
Non-profits do not face the same government regulations or public scrutiny as for-profit public companies do. But that does not mean your board can afford to get slack about financial governance. Donors and watchdog groups pay close attention to organizations’ IRS Forms 990, and the...