Nonprofits that operate with a volunteer executive director are often faced with the conundrum—should this person undergo an annual evaluation in the same way that a paid executive director would be assessed?  Or, should the evaluation be skipped because the salary adjustment issue is off the table?The issue of evaluating the executive director is more complicated than simply being a precursor to providing your leader with a salary adjustment.  Even in the best of times, some nonprofits evaluate[…]

Whenever I ask someone who works for a nonprofit if their organization engages in lobbying, they cringe at thought.  We don’t lobby; bBut we educate our legislators about our cause.  We don’t lobby; but we provide comments on the governor’s budget.  We don’t directly lobby; but we belong to a coalition that lobbies on our behalf .   Is it just a game of semantics? According to OMB Watch’s, “Strengthening Nonprofit Advocacy Project,” a study of over 1700 nonprofits revealed that charities are[…]

Summer time brings many things—baseball, summer vacations, and for our organization, summer is typically the season for annual performance evaluations. Truth be told, it is hard to take the time to complete a meaningful staff evaluation process for all paid staff. The Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector® states, “Organizations should have a system in place for regular written evaluation of employees by their respective supervisors, which should[…]

Each summer, thousands of students descend on the nonprofit sector in hopes of doing something meaningful.  We welcome them with open arms, knowing that volunteer labor can be a valuable resource if managed properly.  It’s often said that a volunteer today is a committed donor tomorrow.  We love our volunteers.But ever so often, we must handle problematic situations that involve volunteers -- poor performance, a lack of team work, or clash of personalities with employees or clients.  Would your[…]

The power of compounded interest never ceases to amaze me.  Invest a dollar today and in 10 years, it could grow to be much more than that.  Who knows how much I would have accumulated by now had I started investing the money earned from my first job as a teenager.  Fortunately, I am wiser now. My personal “financial policies,” direct my spending, saving, and investment activities and keep me from spending all of my money on things which I’ll regret later.Small and large nonprofit organizations[…]

Earlier this month, we suggested that the challenging economic climate may provide the impetus for you to hire a fundraising consultant to handle a new development approach or project.  Perhaps you are trying to raise the resources to match a grant. Or, perhaps you are launching your first direct mail campaign.  At any rate, if you choose to engage a fundraising consultant to assist or lead the effort, during the pre-engagement phase, you should inquire not only if the individual is properly[…]

In this current economic climate, many nonprofits find themselves endeavoring to raise funds in new and innovative ways.  Some organizations may find themselves engaging fundraising consultants to assist with special fund drives or emergency campaigns.  Others will consider selecting a new consultant to help the organization develop top notch grant proposals for foundations or public sector sources that they have never approached in the past. As the Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and[…]

Heightened media scrutiny of nonprofits engaging in public affairs during the last presidential campaign served as a constant reminder that any implication of favoritism or preference toward political candidates can result in the loss of a charity’s tax-exempt status. Although the presidential campaign is over, nonprofits must continue to make a conscious effort to avoid participating in partisan political activities. State and local elections are in our midst and nonprofits should do whatever[…]

This all too common phrase is often spewed from the mouths of siblings.  A big sister is allowed to go to bed a little later than her younger brother. A little brother is able to stay home from school sick while the big sister has to face a possible pop quiz in math class. A child’s perception of an unfair act by a parent might cause a small tantrum that lasts for a few minutes or start an all out war that lasts for what seems like forever. Alas, the quest for fair treatment does not stop when[…]

In a report released in February 2008, Ellison Research found that the public still has great concern about nonprofits' program, administration and fundraising breakdowns.  62% of the public polled stated that they think nonprofits spend more than a reasonable amount on administration and fundraising.  Because low overhead continues to be equated with efficient, effective organizations, nonprofits are pressured to demonstrate that they spend a high percentage of funding on its programs. […]