nonprofit

News for Nonprofits: Summer 2024

Identifying common traits of MacKenzie Scott donees MacKenzie Scott has granted more than $15 billion to almost 2,000 nonprofits since 2019. Now Harvard researchers have dug into data on the…

Election 2024: The Importance of Keeping Nonprofit Political Activity Nonpartisan

Most charitable organizations generally understand that they’re barred from participating or intervening in political campaigns. Failure to follow IRS rules governing nonprofits and politics may result in an excise tax,…

Even a Lower-Cost Benefits Menu Can Help You Attract Talent

Some job candidates assume that not-for-profit organizations offer lower compensation than for-profit companies do. If your nonprofit has open positions, this can be a difficult hurdle to overcome — particularly…

What to Know about Proposed OMB Uniform Guidance Changes

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) last fall released the details on what it terms a “fundamental rewrite” of the Uniform Guidance, the rules and requirements for federal awards.…

Are Your Independent Contractors Actually Employees? DOL Updates Test for Worker Status

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has, once again, updated its test for determining whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee for purposes of the federal Fair…

Cross-Training Initiatives Can Get Your Whole Organization in Shape

Elite athletes train hard to perfect their performance in a particular discipline, but they also cross-train. For example, a sprinter might, in addition to running for hours, lift weights, swim…

Why Private Foundations Need to Avoid Self-Dealing

If you’re a leader of a private foundation, you’re probably aware of the prohibition against self-dealing transactions between foundations and “disqualified persons.” But what constitutes self-dealing? And who exactly counts…

Thinking Ahead to Your Next Form 990

The deadline for most not-for-profits to file Form 990 with the IRS (May 15, 2024) has come and gone. Assuming your organization operates on a calendar-year tax basis and filed its Form 990…

Nonprofits: Act Thoroughly on Audit Findings

External audits can help assure your not-for-profit’s stakeholders that your financial statements are fairly presented according to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. They can also help prevent occupational fraud. Often,…

Combatting Negative Public Perceptions of Your Nonprofit

In 2023, Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy released a public opinion survey that provided both good and bad news for nonprofits. Although the respondents said they trust philanthropic…

Disaster Relief Charities: Know the Rules Before Providing Aid

The United States is entering the most natural-disaster-prone time of the year. Tornadoes are most likely to occur in May, and the Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1. Not-for-profits that…

Board Committees Can Help Members Make Time for Critical Work

For many not-for-profit organizations, maintaining a full and active board of directors is challenging. If your board holds frequent meetings, has high attendance expectations and requires members to do considerable…

News for Nonprofits: Spring 2024

Building nonprofit resilience through administrative spending Researchers from The Ohio State University and the University of Notre Dame have developed a mathematical model to guide nonprofits on how to divvy…

What You Need to Know about FASB Expense Allocation Rules

Many nonprofit organizations struggle with allocating expenses properly. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) can help. By complying with FASB standards, you may be able to simplify your processes. Defining…

IRS Guidance: How Nonprofits Can Monetize Clean Energy Tax Credits

Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), nonprofits — including public charities, private foundations, social welfare organizations, labor organizations, business leagues, religious or apostolic organizations, and public universities and hospitals —…