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Your not-for-profit has a board of directors — so why would it need an additional advisory board? There are a few reasons. Some organizations assemble advisory boards to provide expertise for a specific project, such as a fundraising campaign. Other organizations use them to give roles to major donors and prestigious supporters who may not be a good fit for a governing board.

six black leather chairs sit around a wooden table in a conference room; image used for blog post about a not-for-profit advisory board

Here are some other ways to use an advisory board and how to set one up.

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Continue Reading How an Advisory Board Complements a Board of Directors

Factors such as wealth level, education and even whether people volunteer, probably will tell you more about potential donors than their generation. But some broad generalizations about age can help not-for-profits target particular groups for support. The newest generation of adults belong to what’s being penned as Generation Z, and it’s possible to draw some conclusions about this otherwise diverse demographic.

a diverse group of hands reaching together in the center as a sign of teamwork; image used for blog post about how not-for-profits can appeal to Gen Z

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Continue Reading How NFPs Can Gain Support from Generation Z

There are many ways for a not-for-profit organization to lose its tax-exempt status — including participating in lobbying and campaign activities, receiving excessive unrelated business income and allowing board members to financially benefit from their positions. But the most common reason not-for-profits lose their status is failure to file an annual Form 990 or 990-N for three consecutive years.

man in a blue button down shirt holds a pen to paper to sign documents; image used for blog post about not-for-profits regaining tax-exempt status

If your organization has landed on the IRS’s revocation list for this reason, don’t panic. The process for reinstatement is relatively simple.

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Continue Reading Need to Regain Tax-Exempt Status for Your Not-for-Profit?

The 2020 presidential election is fast approaching and your not-for-profit has a stake in its outcome. But that doesn’t mean your organization is free to participate in campaign activities. In general, Section 501(c)(3)s risk losing their tax-exempt status if they participate in campaigning.

various "I voted" stickers scattered on a table, image used for blog post about not-for-profits carefully navigating upcoming election

However, there’s more nuance in the rules than you might suspect.

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Continue Reading How Not-for-Profits Can Navigate the Election Carefully

In times of turmoil, your not-for-profit board of directors should be your organization’s rock-solid foundation. But what if your board is understaffed or simply doesn’t provide the leadership your not-for-profit requires?

six black leather chairs sit around a wooden table in a conference room; image used for a blog post about rebuilding a not-for-profit board

Think about rebuilding it — and the sooner the better. Financial, public health and other challenges are likely to remain a reality for the foreseeable future.

Assess What You Have
Start the rebuilding effort by assessing your current board. Ask the following questions:

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Continue Reading How to Rebuild Your Not-for-Profit Board

cover of the 2020 Report to the Nations by ACFE; image used for blog post about not-for-profit takeaways in Report to the NationsEvery two years, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) publishes what has become the definitive guide for preventing and detecting workplace fraud. The recently released Report to the Nations: 2020 Global Study on Occupational Fraud and Abuse draws conclusions from more than 2,500 fraud incidents — including 191 in not-for-profit organizations.

In fact, this year’s report devotes a special section to fraud in not-for-profits. Although not-for-profit fraud isn’t necessarily worse than fraud in for-profit companies, it can be different in important ways.

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Continue Reading The 2020 Report to the Nations and Not-for-Profits

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected businesses and not-for-profit organizations alike. With Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law, what options do organizations have to receive funds?

The Not-for-Profit team wants to share with you a special information sheet answering questions you may have:

thumbnail image of PDF for cash options for not-for-profit under the CARES act
  • Five ways to get cash now under the

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One of the strongest predictors of a not-for-profit’s long-term survival is multiple revenue sources. Many organizations with only one or two found that out that the hard way when they failed during the 2008 recession.

a hand pointing to a computer screen with a web page about revenue streams; image used for blog post about not-for-profit revenue sources

The same is likely to be true for not-for-profits that do — or don’t — survive the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

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Continue Reading Finding Multiple Revenue Sources During a Crisis

Charitable contributions aren’t always eligible for tax deductions — even when the not-for-profit recipient is tax exempt and the donor itemizes. Take “quid pro quo” donations. These transactions occur when your organization receives a payment that includes a contribution and you provide the donor with goods or services valued for less than the total payment.

a hospital glove holding a pen and writing "donate" in a checkbook' image used for blog post about not-for-profit contributions being quid pro quo

Let’s take a closer look.

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Continue Reading Quid Pro Quo Not-for-Profit Contributions – What to Know

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has put enormous financial stress on many not-for-profits — whether they’re temporarily shut down or actively fighting the pandemic. If cash flow has dried up, your organization may need to do more than trim expenses.

a pencil and eraser point to a drawing of a lightbulb with a question mark in the middle; image used for blog post about assessing a not-for-profit's financial situation

Here’s how to assess your financial condition and take appropriate action.

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Continue Reading How is Your Not-for-Profit’s Financial Situation?