In the first part of our four-part series on independent audits for non-profits, we examined when they are necessary and why they are a good business practice even when they are not required by law. An audit serves many purposes, including acting as useful tool...
When we hear the word “audit,” most of us think of a financial audit by the IRS. There are, however, many kinds of financial audits that are significant in non-profit association management: Contact Monitoring Internal Review External Management Review IRS Review In our four-part series Audits for Associations, you’ll...
There has, perhaps, never been a greater need for philanthropy in this country than at this time. In response to that need, on July 17th, the United States House of Representatives passed the “America Gives More Act of 2014,” a game-changing legislative package that will...
Association board members who efficiently review and vote on issues of importance do a great service to the organizations they serve. They create a forward momentum that propels activities forward rather than allowing the organization to grind to a halt, unable to evolve. Yet one of...
A previous post offered a primer on non-profit board functions. It outlined five key activities of every effective NPO board member: Determine the mission and purpose of the organization Select an executive director of administrator Provide feedback, report, and review for the chief executive Foster effective organization planning Ensure an...
When I network professionally, I have discovered that becoming a member of a non-profit board is not a “hot topic” for younger people. Many think that they need to be older, wiser, or more experienced before they have something to offer. Nothing could be further...
LinkedIn is a professional, business-oriented social networking service. Over the past year, it has made significant changes in its functionality with real benefits to not-for-profit organizations. Unfortunately, many associations spend precious resources on paid marketing efforts when LinkedIn’s new-and-improved functionality can accomplish many of the...
When board members are elected or appointed to their posts in an association or non-profit, the information packets they receive are filled with facts and factoids about the organization’s past, present, and future. What would further foster effective board leadership is a board member’s primer,...
We work with both individual membership and trade associations and sometimes I’m asked to explain the difference between the two. The simple answer is, quite frankly, very simple – but beyond that there are two different cultures that these distinct organizations have. The simple answer is...
When people think of nonprofits they generally think of charitable organizations which are organized to help out society as a whole. The IRS, which grants corporations non-profit status indicates the following as the reason an organization can become a 501(c)3 - for any group “organized...