Not-for-profit Tax — Newsletter/Blog

How to get foundations to say “yes” to your grant proposals

If you’re worried about funding your nonprofit’s many priorities, apply to foundations. Follow these tips to help ensure grant-seeking success.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryNovember 21, 2024

Don’t let fraudsters ruin the most wonderful time of the year

The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day generally is a critical fundraising season. Don’t let fraud undermine your hard work and eat into your nonprofit’s revenues. Here’s what you need to know.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryNovember 13, 2024

Nonprofit programs: Out with the obsolete, in with the most effective

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryNovember 7, 2024

Why your nonprofit shouldn’t operate like a for-profit business

It’s not always easy to calculate a nonprofit’s risk of falling afoul of the commerciality doctrine. We explain the threat and some risky practices and activities.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryDecember 7, 2023

Why your nonprofit’s board needs to be diverse

What’s considered “healthy” diversity in a nonprofit board will vary by organization. But, at a minimum, your board should reflect your community and the people you serve. Learn how to increase board diversity.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryNovember 2, 2023

Do you have to return a donation when a donor requests it?

Sometimes donors ask for their money back. Must your nonprofit comply? It depends on several factors. But the best defense against these requests is an effective offense: Create a gift refund policy.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryOctober 6, 2023

Trust and internal controls can coexist in your nonprofit

Trust tends to be the biggest potential fraud weakness for nonprofits. But by beefing up certain internal controls, you can continue to operate like a happy family and still reduce employee-perpetrated fraud.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarrySeptember 28, 2023

Build a better nonprofit board with term limits

Although there are potentially a few disadvantages to board term limits, they generally benefit nonprofits. Read on for more about how term limits can promote diversity and cooperation.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarrySeptember 21, 2023

Cut taxes by reimbursing expenses with an accountable plan

Could your nonprofit benefit from having an accountable plan? It provides a tax-advantaged way to reimburse staffers for certain work-related expenses. Read on for more about the advantages and possible drawbacks.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarrySeptember 7, 2023

Make fundraising a year-round commitment

Even if your nonprofit is gearing up for a holiday fundraising campaign, don’t neglect your ongoing fundraising plan. Don’t have one? We explain how to get started.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarrySeptember 5, 2023

Every nonprofit needs a disaster plan

Recent natural disasters in Hawaii and California should remind all nonprofit organizations to establish a disaster plan. Here’s how to help protect your people, operations and technology.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryAugust 24, 2023

Private foundations: “Disqualified persons” must color within the lines

If you lead a private foundation, you must go out of your way to prevent anything that might be perceived as a conflict of interest or self-dealing. Here’s how to color within the lines and stay out of trouble.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryAugust 9, 2023

4 ways to reduce volunteer risk

What would happen if one of your nonprofit’s volunteers harmed someone while volunteering for you? No matter how much you prize them, volunteers present litigation risks. We recommend four best practices.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryJuly 31, 2023

Nonprofits: Special events call for tax planning

Nonprofits need to incorporate tax planning into their special event preparations. Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner, 5K run or multi-speaker conference, tracking revenue and expenses is critical.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryJuly 20, 2023

Do you need to shake up your nonprofit’s culture with new ideas?

Your nonprofit doesn’t have to be on a fast track. But it should foster new ideas and innovation that will make it easier to achieve, and even expand, your mission. Here’s what to do if you’re languishing.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryJuly 14, 2023

Be smart when accepting cryptocurrency donations

Most nonprofits benefit when they accept donations from supporters in whatever form they want. So if you don’t yet accept cryptocurrency, what are you waiting for?

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryJuly 12, 2023

How to get the attention of high-net-worth philanthropists

If your nonprofit hopes to land a large gift, it needs to go to the source: high-net-worth donors. Easier said than done, right? Learn more about wealthy philanthropists and how to get their attention.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryJune 28, 2023

Putting the “public” back in your nonprofit’s PR efforts

Good PR can mean many things. But for a public charity, it means frequently, rather than occasionally, using the media to communicate with prospective supporters about successes, challenges and opportunities.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryJune 21, 2023

Overcoming benchmark resistance in your nonprofit

Who needs benchmarking? You, your nonprofit’s employees and board of directors do! We explain how best to measure performance to reach mission-critical goals.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryJune 15, 2023

Commit to continually improve your nonprofit's accounting processes

Accounting inefficiencies and errors can cost your nonprofit time and money. Here’s how to root out and repair less-than-perfect processes.

Not-for-profit TaxDebbie HarryJune 7, 2023

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