I remember a time when a visit to the dentist was a piece of cake. I knew that I could expect a brief examination, followed by praise for having zero cavities, a new toothbrush, and a mouth with that minty, "just came from the dentist" feel. However, as I got older and my excellent habits became just "so-so," I began to avoid the dentist, only going when there was a problem. I was too afraid of what she might find.Just as avoiding the dentist was not good for my pearly whites, avoiding a[…]

The Standards for Excellence® code states that nonprofit personnel policies should always address employee growth and development. However, many nonprofits have had to cut back on expenses such as training courses and conferences. A cut in the professional development budget should not mean that professional development should go by the wayside.   Now, is the time to get creative in your approach.Strategies such as job rotation, encouraging employees to volunteer in order to gain a skill,[…]

You may have heard about the recent report released by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration  which found that the Internal Revenue Service and charities were not doing enough to ensure that donors of motor vehicles avoid taking unsubstantiated tax deductions.  The report found that in 2007, over 92,000 taxpayers took unsubstantiated motor vehicle donations totaling $204 million—which may have resulted in tax avoidance by taxpayers to the tune of $17 million in taxes in 2007. The[…]

If there was a pill that your board of directors could take to solve all of its problems, I’m sure you’d order a year’s supply right away. Sadly, there is no magic pill that will create and maintain excellent board member performance.  But the Standards for Excellence Code® offers a solution -- "the board should establish stated expectations for board members, including expectations for participation in fundraising activities, committee service, and program activities.” A clearly written job[…]

The first day of school can be a major source of anxiety. You probably remember agonizing about what you would wear, getting your hair just right, and who would be in your homeroom. If starting a new school where everyone is a stranger, that anxiety level rises even higher. Beginning a new job or career, can be just as stressful. However, a good orientation to the organization can ease some of this stress and help new employees succeed.Most new employees probably receive a basic introduction[…]

According to the Standards for Excellence® code, the board should periodically review the appropriateness of a nonprofit organization’s overall compensation structure.  However, some nonprofit executives are reluctant to involve the board in decisions regarding employee compensation levels beyond approving the salary line in the annual budget.  If the board’s role is to manage the executive director and the executive director oversees staff, why should the board be involved at all? All great[…]

Conversations surrounding fundraising costs in nonprofits are often highly charged debates.  Some people feel that nonprofits must show that they have no or very little fundraising expenses.  Others draw a theoretical “line in the sand” for the maximum amount of fundraising that they believe is appropriate for any organization. My favorite article on this subject is “100 % Goes to Charity” by Lee Draper published in 2003 by Foundation News and Commentary. In this article, Dr. Draper states that[…]

I've  finally decided.  This weekend will be the weekend that I put together the scrapbook that will archive my summer memories.  Like all good scrapbooks, mine will tell a story. It will tell the story of the chocolate fudge ice cream that tasted so much better eaten from a cone on the boardwalk than from a bowl in front of my television.  It will boast accomplishments like surviving a road trip from the Mid-Atlantic area to the Deep South taken in just three days.  The scrapbook will be both a[…]

Many nonprofit organizations provide great services every day.  Counselors get glowing reviews on client satisfaction surveys.  Parents write teachers thank you letters on behalf of their three year olds.  But ever so often a program participant has a complaint to express. Sometimes it is as minor as a leaky bathroom faucet. Major complaints such as complaints of harassment from another client or employee, also occur.  Nonprofits that have procedures to address complaints from program[…]

One of my favorite summer treats is to enjoy outdoor theatre under the stars. Sadly, this year the entire season has come and gone and I did not make it out to my favorite open air theatre once.  Don’t let the debut of your fall fundraising season pass by without taking a few moments to assess your organization’s fundraising policies. Why not take some time to look over your organization’s policies addressing the privacy of donor information? In many ways, our donors value their privacy now more[…]