Your not-for-profit’s board of directors meetings don’t always need to be performed up-close and personal in the same room. Many organizations hold virtual board meetings via phone and with Web-based applications. Participation May Improve It can be difficult to secure full board meeting attendance, but going virtual might allow members to attend meetings they otherwise… Continue Reading
The amount of money your not-for-profit raises in fundraising campaigns is meaningful, but so is how efficiently you’re able to raise it. Such costs can be measured using two metrics: Cost ratio and return on investment (ROI). Let’s take a look. Find a Formula These two metrics can be used to evaluate both fundraising activities… Continue Reading
Whether it’s in the business, government or not-for-profit sector, ethics seem to be on everyone’s minds these days. To ensure your supporters and community understand your not-for-profit organization’s values and the policies that uphold them, a formal code of ethics is essential. Here’s how to create one. 1. Identify Rules of Conduct You probably already… Continue Reading
Your not-for-profit probably already ensures that donors receive a receipt with information about claiming a charitable contribution deduction on their tax return. But your obligations may go further than that. For noncash donations, you might have responsibilities related to certain tax forms. Form 8283 for Donors When filing their tax returns, donors must attach Section… Continue Reading
Russ: This is PKF Texas Entrepreneur’s Playbook. I’m Russ Capper, this week’s guest host, and I’m coming to you from the Gulf Coast Regional Family Forum, and my guest is Renée Wizig-Barrios, Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer of the Greater Houston Community Foundation. Renée, welcome to the show. Renée: Thank you, Russ. Good… Continue Reading
The relatively new federal procurement standards significantly alter the way not-for-profit organizations 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 Up the Standards The standards, “Uniform Administrative Requirements,… Continue Reading
Many not-for-profit organizations supplement their usual income-producing activities with sponsorships or advertising programs. Although you’re allowed to receive such payments, they’re 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. So it’s important to understand the possible tax implications of income… Continue Reading
Most charitable not-for-profits have a never-ending need for volunteers. But finding new ones can be time-consuming — and volunteer searches aren’t always successful. Here are recruitment ideas that can help your not-for-profit. Look Nearby Is your not-for-profit familiar to businesses, residents and schools in the surrounding community? People often are drawn to volunteer because they… Continue Reading
When a donor promises to make a contribution at a later date, your not-for-profit likely welcomes it. But such pledges can come with complicated accounting issues. Conditional vs. Unconditional Let’s say a donor makes a pledge to your not-for-profit in April 2018 to contribute $10,000 in January 2019. You generally will create a pledge receivable… Continue Reading
Your not-for-profit is likely 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 from certain groups — particularly relative… Continue Reading
For most nonprofit organizations, there’s no such thing as too much good publicity. If you’re struggling to get enough attention from media outlets, follow these tips: 1. Seize the day. Raise your nonprofit’s profile by putting out news releases regularly rather than just occasionally. A variety of events, such as the addition of a key… Continue Reading
After a flurry of year-end fundraising, you and your not-for-profit’s staff are probably ready for a little break. Your supporters may be tired, too. At some point, even the most philanthropic individuals experience donor fatigue and start saying “no” — even to their favorite charities. Here’s how to remain engaged with donors and keep your… Continue Reading
When your not-for-profit desperately needs a new facility, costly equipment or an endowment, a capital campaign can be the best way to raise funds. But to be successful, a campaign requires strong leadership, extensive planning and dedicated participants. Leading the troops Capital campaigns generally are long-term projects — often lasting three or more years. To… Continue Reading
People are naturally inclined to make charitable gifts around the holidays. With the end of the year fast approaching, your not-for-profit should prepare now to take advantage of donors’ generosity. Here are four tips for making the most of the season: Strike early. Plan events or solicitations for early December or sooner. By being one… Continue Reading
Jen: This is the PKF Texas Entrepreneur’s Playbook. I’m Jen Lemanski, this week’s guest host, and back again with Nicole Riley, one of our Audit Senior Managers on our Not For Profit team. Welcome back to the Playbook Nicole. Nicole: Thanks, glad to be here. Jen: Not for profits do fundraising in a whole variety… Continue Reading
Jen: This is the PKF Texas Entrepreneur’s Playbook. I’m Jen Lemanski, this week’s guest host, and I’m back again with Annjeanette Yglesias, one of our tax managers on our not for profit team. Welcome back to the Playbook Annjeanette. Annjeanette: Thanks Jen, it’s nice to be here. Jen: So we’ve been talking the past few… Continue Reading
Jen: This is the PKF Texas Entrepreneur’s Playbook. I’m Jen Lemanski, this week’s guest host, and back again with Nicole Riley, one of our Audit Senior Managers on our Not For Profit team. Welcome back to the Playbook Nicole. Nicole: Thanks, glad to be here. Jen: Now I’m on the boards of several not for… Continue Reading
Not-for-profit organizations receive more than simple cash donations. Your support also likely comes in the form of gifts in kind and donated services. But even when such gifts are welcome, it can be challenging to determine how to recognize and assign a value to them for financial reporting purposes. Recording gifts in kind Gifts in… Continue Reading
Term limits for not-for-profit board members can be a double-edged sword. They can allow you to easily let go of unsuccessful board members, but they also can cause you to lose the best sooner than you’d like. Consider some of the issues involved before making a decision. Review the pros Term limits allow you to… Continue Reading
Not-for-profits that ignore the IRS’s private benefit and private inurement provisions do so at their own peril. These rules prohibit an individual inside or outside a nonprofit from reaping an excess benefit from the organization’s transactions. Violation of such rules can have devastating consequences. Defining terms A private benefit is any payment or transfer of… Continue Reading
Not-for-profit special events can be lucrative from a fundraising standpoint, but they also carry significant risks. Proper insurance coverage can help protect your organization. Special event, special planning Risks associated with special events run the gamut from accidents and personal injury to fraud and theft to cancellation due to inclement weather or nonappearance by a… Continue Reading
Information is power. And regularly supplying information to your not-for-profit’s board of directors is the key to the board properly fulfilling its duties. This doesn’t mean you have to share every internal email or phone message. Board members should, however, receive and understand information that will help them work together and better serve your organization…. Continue Reading
If your not-for-profit solicits funds online — or uses other fundraising methods that cross state boundaries — it may need to register in multiple jurisdictions. We’ve answered some commonly asked questions. My charity receives occasional contributions from out-of-state donors. Do I need to register with those states? Yes, but only if you’re actually asking for… Continue Reading
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