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Nonprofit Charitable Orgs: Most Popular ArticlesThese articles are the most popular over the last month. Steps to a Nonprofit Start-Up There are a number of steps to incorporating as a nonprofit organization. Here are the most important ones, in the order in which they should be done. Writing a Mission Statement How to write your mission statement. Writing a good, succinct, and clear mission statement is not hard but it does take care and thought. Grant Proposal Writing grant proposals doesn't have to be a mystery. Here are some basic guidelines. Fundraising Brief Fundraising is the life blood of any nonprofit organization. But, where do you start? Here is a briefing on the major methods of fundraising and sources of those donor dollars. Essential Steps to Nonprofit If you have an idea or feel called to serve the greater good of your community or even the world, you may be ready to set up a nonprofit organization. Nonprofit Sponsorships Every year, corporations spend millions of dollars on cause-related marketing and event sponsorships. Unfortunately, many nonprofits don't have a clue about how to approach a potential sponsor.... Fundraising Without Fear Pitman's book is quick and precise. He has developed what he calls his R.E.A.L. process to guide us through the fundraising cycle. R.E.A.L. represents [i]research, engage, ask, love[/i] and back to [i]research[/i]. Follow the process, rinse and repeat. Nonprofit Incorporation Incorporation is the first step toward becoming a tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Here are the steps you will have to take to achieve nonprofit incorporation. Board Responsibilities What are the responsibilities of a board of directors of a nonprofit? Great Fundraising Letters Just like copywriting, writing great fundraising letters is not for the amateur. However, unlike businesses that can often afford to pay the big bucks for great copywriting, nonprofits usually depend on in-house staff to write that crucial letter and to put together their direct mail package. Here to help are the Cardinal Rules of writing a fundraising letter. Annual Reports Annual reports can help you demonstrate your accomplishments to current and future donors, cultivate new partnerships, and recognize important people. Profit vs Nonprofit Here are some of the differences between a business and a nonprofit. Endowment A well funded endowment is the goal of most nonprofit organizations. It is a fund that produces income. Name Your Nonprofit So you've decided to organize a nonprofit. Among the first things you need to do is decide on an appropriate name. Pros & Cons of Incorporating Not every nonprofit needs to incorporate and apply for 501(c)(3)status from the IRS. To help you decide, we've compiled a list of advantages to nonprofit incorporation and some important drawbacks. Planning Is Not an Event Peters Drucker's self-assessment model is so flexible that it can be used anywhere, from the corporate boardroom to the smallest of nonprofits. Bylaws A legal document outlining the self-imposed rules that will regulate an organization's own actions. Tax Numbers Does having a tax id number make you a nonprofit? 501(c)(3) One of the most common types of nonprofits, a 501(c)(3)corporation has many advantages, such as tax-exempt status, ability to receive donations from foundations, and that its donors can take tax deductions for their gifts IRS Classifications The IRS has several classifications under which you can register your nonprofit organization. Determining which category to use is an important part of applying to the IRS. Articles of Incorporation A legal document that creates a specific type of organization, a corporation, under the laws of a particular state. Letter of Inquiry Tips Many foundations prefer or even require grant-seeking nonprofits to submit an LOI, or Letter of Inquiry, before sending a complete proposal. The LOI allows the foundation to quickly screen potential candidates for funding, making sure that they do not waste time on ill-conceived ideas or those that do not fit with the foundation's mission. Make your LOI a winner. Writing Fundraising Materials Tom Ahern, master of fundraising copy, suggests that when you start writing any communication piece, imagine that you have "four sets of ears." Each set of ears pays attention to a different group of stimuli and represents one of the four basic personalities that resides in the minds of your readers. Grant Writing Journalists know that an effective article tells the reader who, what, where, when, why, and how. Well-written, interesting grant proposals should do the same for their readers and, in the process, tell a compelling story. Nonprofit Charitable Orgs - HowTos An index of HowTos for the Nonprofit Charitable Orgs guide site. Form 990 The 990 allows the IRS and the public to evaluate nonprofits and how they operate. Since nonprofits are not required to file annual reports or even to have financial audits by independent accountants, the 990 is a critical disclosure. Recruiting Volunteers There are numerous methods you can use to recruit volunteers. However, not all of them will be appropriate for your organization or your specific needs. Nonprofit Postage Rates A perk of nonprofit status is nonprofit postage rates. Here is how you can apply for this privilege. Tax-Exempt vs. Non-Tax-Exempt Does your organization have to become a tax-exempt nonprofit? Grant Writing - a Review If you are new to grant proposal writing, or simply want a refresher course, you would do well to start with these two books from Jossey-Bass. Startup Questions Should You Start a Nonprofit? Before you do, ask yourself yourself some hard questions. Gates Foundation The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest in history. It may well be the most important as well. Approaching intractable world health problems as systems failures that can be solved, the Foundation is bringing new hope to those who had given up on helping the poorest people in the world. Grant Information Sources Finding grant opportunities and information about possible funders is an ongoing project for any grant seeker. There are dozens of resources for grant information and some of the best are online. Cause-Related Marketing Cause-related marketing, or CRM, has exploded in recent years even though it is a relatively young concept. It began, on a national scale, in the early 1980s when American Express joined with the nonprofit group that was raising funds to restore the Statue of Liberty.... Start an Endowment An endowment is something a nonprofit of any kind and size can attain. An endowment is also something that can insure your organization against the future. Nonprofit Career It is more appealing than ever to work for a nonprofit organization. Find out why and cool reasons to go there first. Fiscal Year A fiscal year is a 12-month period for which an organization plans the use of its funds. Hero's Journey I contend that a truly good nonprofit leader not only maps out a course for him or herself, but knows how to chart a course for those he or she seeks to lead. Course Review This beautifully arranged four-week course walks you through the basics of creating your annual report and takes the fear out of the process, from collecting the information to production and mailing. Branding a Nonprofit Branding your nonprofit is not marketing and advertising (although both of those activities will help your brand). Branding is about selling everything associated with your organization. Board Compensation Only about 2 percent of nonprofits compensate board members and it is unusual outside of large, complex entities such as health care systems or large foundations. Online Fundraising Everyone is excited about online fundraising. It isn't easy but it can be effective and cost effective when done right. EIN Every business, profit or nonprofit, has to have an EIN from the IRS. Donor Recognition Instead of fancy baubles or plaques, find inexpensive and personal ways to thank your donors and connect them to your mission. Guide to NPO Grad Programs Whether you’re looking for a career boost or an opportunity to break into the nonprofit world, a master’s degree focused on the public sector can help you get there. Market Planned Giving Planned giving is not just about setting up the many planned gift vehicles. It is also about marketing your program to donors and prospective donors. Nonprofit Job Search The nonprofit world has been creating more jobs in the last few years than other sectors of the economy. Here are some tips to help you in your nonprofit job search. Business Plan Nonprofits have a lot in common with a business and managers of both must understand and follow a lot of the same practices. One of those is to have a business plan. Sarbanes-Oxley The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, enacted to govern publicly-held companies, provides a blueprint for nonprofits that want to ensure financial responsibility and transparency. Is Your Board Helpful? Your board of directors can be a help or a hindrance. Here are some characteristics of a healthy board. Use them to evaluate yours. Reaching Local Media Whether your nonprofit is in a large city or a small town, reaching your local media is essential to your public relations program. Here are tips for becoming a favorite source for your local reporters. Fundraising Registration It is not enough to become an IRS registered nonprofit in order to raise funds. Most states require registration too. Email Tips There are a lot of issues around email communication, but the fact is that electronic-based communication is here to stay. So, whether you use email for fundraising or communicating with your volunteers, what can you do to make sure your emails are done right? Here are some tips. Credit Card Processing With more and more nonprofits offering donors the ability to make credit card payments, there is the potential for plenty of confusion. Your organization could end up paying more than you need to for processing transactions. Before Recruiting Volunteers You may be very anxious to get started on recruiting volunteers for your organization, but some preliminary work needs to be done first. Board of Directors Ken Burnett, guru of nonprofit management and fundraising, has a new book to help you with your board of directors. Don't Lose Tax-Exempt Status It is wonderful that you have jumped through all the hoops to become a tax-exempt, charitable organization. But now you must be careful that your actions don't draw attention from the IRS or cause you to lose your exempt designation. Volunteer Position Description An incredibly useful tool, the volunteer position description creates the basis for your volunteer recruitment efforts. It explains the assignment, plus the skills, abilities and interests necessary to perform the volunteer task successfully. Position descriptions can and should be written for both individuals and volunteer committees. Identify Major Donors We all dream of the ultimate goal in fundraising, a major giver who endows our organization with millions. We hope he or she will walk into our door one day and plop down a check. Capital Campaign A capital campaign is a time-limited effort by a nonprofit organization to raise significant dollars for a specific project. Social Marketing Social marketing is a lot about regular marketing except that you are trying to promote behavioral change such as cessation of smoking or safe sex. Building a Gift Chart What is a gift chart? It’s a planning tool to tell you how many gifts and prospects you will need to raise a specific amount of money. Great Donor Relations Great customer service is the key to donor relations. Corporate Giving Corporations are a major source of funding for nonprofits. Learn what corporate philanthropy means and the forms it can take. Nonprofit Crisis Planning Crisis management is key to the success of nonprofit organizations. Don't delay your crisis planning. Don't ruin your hard-won reputation by handling difficult situations badly. Getting Foundation Funding Armed with the right tools and information, any director or development professional even volunteers for your organization can have success pursuing foundations. There are essentially five principles I take organizations through in our quest for the holy grail of foundation funding. Effective Fundraising This book by Nolo Press is the perfect gift for the newly minted nonprofit manager or development director. Private Foundation Private foundations are generally founded by an individual, a family or a group of individuals, and are organized either as a nonprofit corporation or as a charitable trust. E-Philanthropy Today, almost every nonprofit has basic online marketing capabilities such as a Web site as well as the ability to take donations and send email. But, are those nonprofits making the most of their online capabilities? Needs Assessment Even though the goal for your new nonprofit is not to make a profit but to change lives, it is also a business. As such, it is important to adopt many business-like procedures. One of those is conducting a survey and/or other research before you launch a product or service. Corporate Foundation A corporate foundation often maintains close ties with the donor company, but it is a separate, legal organization. Nonprofit Corporation The most frequently asked question of visitors to our site is "I want to start a nonprofit...Where do I start?" Here is a book that will guide you through that crucial first step of incorporating your nonprofit. Wealthy Wired Donors That wealthy donors are quite active online is the conclusion of an excellent study by Convio and others that explores the "wired" lives of wealthy donors, and how nonprofits are either capitalizing on the wired behaviors of their donors, or are missing the boat. American Red Cross The American Red Cross is an American tradition, and deeply engraved in our national memory. We give to it generously; and it responds with aid and relief during our worst disasters. Planned Giving Planned Giving is a complex program of various financial instruments that can be adapted to each donor's needs. Is Your Nonprofit Board Bored? Are your board members nodding off at your board meetings? Or maybe not even showing up? They may be afflicted with boardroom ennui resulting from not having anything of substance to think about or do. Charitable Giving Giving USA has released its annual report on charitable giving for 2005. Getting Attention Even if your organization is struggling and there are so many other priorities than hiring a good pitch man or woman, there is help in Joseph Barbato's easy-to-read and practical "Attracting the Attention Your Cause Deserves/" Basics of Corporations You don't have to be a lawyer to set up your nonprofit organization, but here are some basics about corporations that will be helpful. Board Fundraising It is a common problem. Board members are reluctant to accept their responsibility to give and to solicit gifts for the nonprofit they serve. Here are some ways to overcome the board's resistance. How to Apply for 501(c)(3) Applying for 501(c)(3) status is not easy. We have some suggestions and resources for you. Mission Creep Mission statements are more than just decoration for your office wall, and your website. A good, focused mission statement makes decisions much easier. Online Fundraising Auctions With the help of the Internet, online auctions break the barriers of time and geography and allow organizations to reach a broader audience and increase their fundraising potential. Online auctions also offer a more quantifiable value proposition to donors and sponsors. They also dramatically expand the marketing reach for organizations as a whole, creating a greater awareness of the cause and a greater fundraising capability. Nonprofit Board Questions Serving on the board of a nonprofit is not something to be taken lightly. Board members need to be prepared to pay attention and willing to make hard decisions. But what should someone who is approached to serve on a nonprofit board think about? What should he/she look for before making a decision that will affect them in terms of money, time, and perhaps even reputation? Email Fundraising Email, or online, fundraising is coming of age. In a world of instant news, email is now the medium to raise funds around the globe and almost instantly. Youth Media Agency How do you use young volunteers? One nonprofit involves them in a youth media agency to fill the community’s need for social marketing while providing the teenagers with a positive experience that builds career and personal skills. Business Activity Most nonprofits engage in some kind of business activity to help support their organization. But, what activities are related and what are unrelated? And, what are the tax implications? Youth Volunteer Facts Young people actually volunteer at a much greater rate than adults. How can you take advantage of this youthful drive to do good? Attracting Mature Workers Nonprofits could avoid a predicted labor shortage by learning how to attract older workers who might be able to fill the expected shortfall. Fiscal Sponsor Fiscal sponsors are nonprofit organizations that help other organizations to receive grants or tax-exempt funds. Restricted Gifts Donors can choose to designate how a nonprofit can use their gifts. Cause Marketing & Boomer Women Although Barletta's book is aimed at business, nonprofit marketers should pay attention as well. Older women represent a large vein of social responsibility that nonprofits and businesses can mine. Why Apply for 501(c)(3) Status Many nonprofits do not need to apply for 501(c)(3) status. Here are two questions to ask yourself before you go through the arduous process of applying.... Baby Boomer Retention Baby Boomers are too valuable to pass up. But recruiting them as volunteers and retaining them may be a bit more complicated than we at first thought. It is clear, however, that smart analysis and strategic implementation will put your nonprofit ahead in the competition for boomer volunteers. Raise Money Through Auctions Online auctions are a cost-effective way for charities to expand their reach and engage supporters willing to donate but who for reasons of geography, babysitters or other conflicts find themselves unable to attend the annual gala or other live event. Special Events Special events are not a way to raise a lot of money immediately, but they can be a part of your strategic plan to cultivate future donations, and to boost your profile in the community. Planned Gifts from Women The primary strategy that Stelter suggests for marketing to this key group of donors (from knowledge gained through focus groups) is to produce materials that closely mirror how women view themselves. Holiday Themed Auctions Coming up with fresh and creative ways to build a charitable auction is the key to enticing bidders, driving up earnings, and raising more money from your fundraiser. One way this can be done is by running “theme” or “concept” auctions. Fiscal Sponsorship Sometimes, organizations are too small and have too few resources to become a full nonprofit. Or, their purpose is limited and temporary. How can they solicit tax-free contributions? Planned Giving Considerations Every nonprofit wants to raise funds...fast. A Donor Disclosures 501(c)(3) nonprofits must abide by many IRS rules in exchange for their considerable tax advantages. The most common rules have to do with donor disclosures. Best Websites Look for nonprofit information O=online. There are hundreds of websites with information about nonprofit topics. We have narrowed the field to our favorite picks. Wealthy Donors Pt II These donors generally prefer giving online and find that charity websites and other online communications usually fulfill their expectations but rarely exceed them. From Profit to Nonprofit Job There is plenty of opportunity for corporate employees to move into the nonprofit world if they are drawn to work that is mission-driven. But it takes more than a fuzzy dream. Unemployment Insurance Costs Typically, a nonprofit and for-profit pay for unemployment claims through a state unemployment insurance tax (SUI). But unlike their counterparts, nonprofits have an alternative choice – to become a reimbursing employer. Finding Board Members Good board members are not that difficult to find once you know where to look. Purchasing Audit Services With the increasing need for accountability by nonprofit organizations, more and more nonprofits are turning to audit services. Problem Board Members We are often asked how to handle a problematic board member. The question is a good one and most boards will likely be confronted with such a problem at some time. DBA D.B.A. (Doing Business As): An alternative name or trade name used by a business. Giving USA 2005 Giving USA provides an annual report on charitable giving. Here are key points from the 2005 report which covers 2004. Employee Giving Programs Not every charity is a good candidate for such programs, but don't count them out if you are a new charity or a small one. Here are some tips to pursuing corporate employee donor programs. Nonprofit Public Opinion The most recent Harris Interactive DonorPulse survey found that the public's trust of nonprofits has been affected by recent scandals. Getting Email Through Filters Email marketing is more than throwing out a few email messages to donors once in a while. Consistency matters in bonding donors to your organization, but consistent messages also get through spam filters more often. Annual Fund The Annual Fund is an organized effort to obtain gifts on a yearly basis to support, at least in part, general operations of a nonprofit organization. Young High Net Worth Donors The demographic profile of high net worth (HNW) donors has changed rather dramatically in recent years. First, there are more of them, and second, they are younger. Online Generation Gap If Tobey Gordon Dichter is not a social entrepreneur, I don't know who would be. She exhibits the innovative thinking that allowed her to first grasp a societal problem and then to develop a solution. Publications for Nonprofits These publications are the most widely consulted in the nonprofit sector. They are must-have's for anyone working in a nonprofit. Is Your Nonprofit Wired? A good question that is floating around among nonprofit professionals is "How can nonprofits use social media?" I'm not sure what the answer is and probably few people so far really know. But we all need to get educated because the young are already there. Raise Money Through Bequests This book lays out, in terms anyone can understand, the steps to setting up a bequest program, how to keep it going strong, how to market the program, and what to do when those bequests start rolling in. Product Fundraising Here are frequently asked questions about product fundraising and how to find fund raising products. Community Foundation Community foundations provide services to donors who wish to establish endowed funds without incurring the administrative and legal costs of starting independent foundations. Finding Good Board Members Good candidates for your board may be closer than you think. Start with the closest networks and work you way outward to the community. Recruiting Young Volunteers Recruiting youth volunteers requires the ability to put yourself in their shoes. Here are some tips for recruiting and engaging them. Nonprofit Financial Management When asked what about their organization keeps them awake at night, most nonprofit executive directors and senior managers will give the short and simple answer: money. [p]While most bring financial management experience to their job, many have less expertise in this area than they would like. All, however, are aware that sound financial management is linked with every function of the nonprofit and is essential for organizational success. Green Printing Do you automatically rule out green, or environmentally-friendly, printing for your nonprofit because you think it is too expensive?Read on, and learn how you, too, can make green printing as affordable for your nonprofit as it is beneficial for our environment. Transition to a Nonprofit Job Breaking into nonprofit work is not a slam dunk by any means. But, a new book, Transitioning to the Nonprofit Sector:Shifting Your Focus from the Bottom Line to a Better World by Laura Gassner Otting, provides specific information to help you find your way through what can be a confusing, even daunting challenge. Donor Levels Should you include suggested donation levels on your donor's return envelope? Spotting Social Entrepreneurs David Boorstein, in his book, [i]How to Change the World[/i], provides many clues to identifying or becoming an organization that is entrepreneurial, and the qualities that characterize people who are social entrepreneurs. Earning Donor Trust It's true. Many donors do not trust many nonprofits. How can you avoid being on the list of distrusted nonprofits? Here are some tips for a trustworthy future: Fees for Services Many nonprofits count on fees from services they offer to clients for part of their annual incomes. There are several things to be aware of however. Donor Research You may not be able to hire a donor prospect researcher to prepare detailed information about your donor prospects, but you can start pulling together some basic information just with some time and patience. What is a Nonprofit? The term, nonprofit, is used rather loosely to describe groups that come together to achieve a mission, rather than to make a profit. Flexible Volunteering Do you frequently have 15 minutes or so to spare? Do you sometimes have a free hour or two on the weekends? Would you like to make a positive impact on the environment? Then get ready to be a flexible volunteer for the planet. Money From Newsletters Research has shown that donors like to receive newsletters...the problem is that they are not always read. Author Ahern says this is because so many newsletters are simply not interesting. Giving Circles Giving circles are rapidly becoming a popular way for individuals to channel and amplify their philanthropic impulses. Preauthorized Gift Program Would you like to reduce your fundraising costs, increase the lifetime value of your donors, while making it as easy as possible for your donors to give on a regular basis? It may seem too good to be true, but by creating a successful preauthorized gift program, you really can achieve all these benefits for your organization. Online Donors The number of online donors is growing. But who are these donors? Citizen Base Support Ashoka, known for its work in identifying and fostering social entrepreneurs, has an entire program dedicated to helping organizations working on social change achieve sustainability through a broad engagement of their communities beyond the usual seeking of grants and traditional fundraising. Effective Postage Postage plays a crucial role in your direct mail campaign, and not just as a cost. Each type of postage connotes different messages to the recipient. Designing for Mature Readers Your donors and volunteers are aging. Are your print materials age appropriate? If not, you will lose some of your best supporters to other organizations. Design effictive print materials for your mature readers. Guide to Volunteer Management This short book is packed with suggestions and real life experience. It begins with a discussion of "What is Supervision?" thus swinging attention away from the volunteer to a consideration of what you, the supervisor, should understand about supervising volunteers. Safe Giving Guide The most frequent questions we get about charitable organizations are, "How do I know if an organization is legitimate?" and "How do I report a possible fraudulent nonprofit?" Federated Funds Federated Funds provide a safe and easy way for people to donate to charities. Business-Like Nonprofits When asked how they would feel about operating in a more business-like fashion, as well as incorporating branding strategies into their daily activities, many nonprofit leaders still tell me that "it would make us look too much like the for-profit sector." And my response is always the same—"Get over it!" Charitable Gift Annuities One of the simplest and most popular forms of life income gifts is the charitable gift annuity. Cultivating Donors Cultivation is what makes solicitation possible, and ultimately donations. Done well, cultivation sets the stage for easy and successful "asks." Leadership Gap The coming leadership crunch in nonprofits has been in the news for some time. The retirement of the baby boom generation plus the explosive growth of nonprofits in recent years promise a disaster for nonprofits as they look for new leadership. Clinton's Global Initiative Bill Clinton is a connector par excellence. And it is this gift that has allowed him to become a driving force for good causes across the globe. Family Foundation A Family Foundation is one that derives its funding from one family. Baby Boomer Volunteers Baby Boomers are 77 million strong and present a tremendous opportunity for social engagement. A major campaign is being waged to recruit them. Learn facts about baby boomers and read tips on how to recruit them as volunteers. |
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