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Author: Lydia Alcock


2019 Class of Licensed Consultants Advance Standards for Excellence® Mission

The Standards for Excellence Institute, an initiative designed to help nonprofit organizations operate more ethically and accountably, announces its 2018 Class of Licensed Consultants. […]
By Lydia Alcock | December 13, 2018 Read More>
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Failure to Address Succession Planning by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

A long-tenured executive director is uncertain about how much longer he intends to stay with his organization and has talked with a few members of the staff about the possibility of leaving. He has not spoken to the board or stated a clear intention, and the board is hesitant to address the issue out of respect. How can this board and executive director act ethically? Read this article from the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, a Replication Partner based in Santa Clara, CA, to find out.   […]
By Lydia Alcock | October 26, 2018 Read More>
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Lack of Board Engagement: Did this Board act ethically? By the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

Disengaged board members fail to meet their ethical obligations to nonprofit organizations. If the executive director believes their nonprofit could raise more funds and serve more people, but the board's lack of engagement is impacting growth, what options are there? Read this article from the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, a Replication Partner based in Santa Clara, CA, to find out. […]
By Lydia Alcock | October 26, 2018 Read More>
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Nonprofit Fraud: Did this Board act ethically? By the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

Boards have an ethical duty to understand and fulfill their responsibilities to a nonprofit, including rigorous financial oversight. If a nonprofit loses $900,000 over eight years due to theft by the executive director, was the board acting unethically?  Check out this article from the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, a Santa Clara, California-based Replication Partner,  to find out.[…]
By Lydia Alcock | October 26, 2018 Read More>
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What Should Be Included in Our Nonprofit’s Annual Report?

Nonprofits should represent the interests of the people they serve through public education and public policy advocacy, as well as by encouraging board members, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders to participate in the public affairs of the community. When appropriate to advance the organization’s mission, nonprofits should engage in promoting public participation in community affairs and elections. As such, they should communicate in an effective manner to educate, inform, and engage the[…]
By Lydia Alcock | March 16, 2018 Read More>
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Are Tickets to My Nonprofit’s Fundraiser Tax-Deductible?

Even if everything for your fundraising event was donated, those who purchase tickets and attend your event MAY NOT take a tax deduction for the full cost of their tickets to your fundraiser. The cost to your organization for this event (or any event) does not impact the deductibility for those who buy tickets to your event. Thus, even if every single expense for your event is covered by another individual or company, those who attend still consume something of value.The important thing to[…]
By Lydia Alcock | March 16, 2018 Read More>
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What Kind of Insurance Do I Need for My Nonprofit?

Most nonprofits need General Liability insurance and Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance. If the organization has employees, workers compensation insurance, as well as other insurance offered to employees as benefits such as health, dental, and life insurance may be needed.More information on types of insurance relevant to nonprofits can be found below.Want access to resources on budgeting, financial policies, personnel policies, and risk management? Join the Standards for Excellence[…]
By Lydia Alcock | March 16, 2018 Read More>
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At What Rate Should Nonprofits Reimburse Employees and Volunteers for Travel?

Reimbursement Policy An organization's policy should be to reimburse employees and volunteers for necessary and reasonable travel expenses incurred for authorized business. The intent of the policy should be that reimbursement is fair and equitable to both the traveler and the organization and consistent with federal regulations. Individuals traveling on business are responsible for complying with travel policies of the organization and should exercise the same care in incurring expenses as they[…]
By Lydia Alcock | March 16, 2018 Read More>
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How Much Severance Should My Nonprofit Organization Give?

Employers are not obliged to give severance pay. The law only requires an employer to give severance if it has been promised in a contract, or stated in an employee handbook, or if there is an established pattern of giving severance to other employees in similar circumstances.Some employers choose to offer severance pay to employees who are terminated, either involuntarily or voluntarily. The primary reasons for offering a severance package are to soften the blow of an involuntary termination[…]
By Lydia Alcock | March 16, 2018 Read More>
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