Blog.
Most Recent Posts
VIDEO: Disclosing Your Form 990 Approval Process | 5-Minute Lessons 4 Nonprofits
SE4N's A. Michael Gellman provides a short lesson on how to approach answering the questions about your nonprofit organization’s Form 990 review and approval process on Lines 11a and 11b on page 6 of the Form 990, Part VI, Section B, including a discussion of some of the various ways to distribute the final draft of the Form 990 to the Board before filing, which Schedule O disclosures are needed, and the importance of setting procedures and providing a clear timeline to the Board.
VIDEO: Getting a Tax ID Number (EIN) for a New Nonprofit | 5-Minute Lessons 4 Nonprofits
SE4N’s Benjamin Takis provides a short lesson on how to get a tax ID number (also known as employer identification number or EIN) for a new nonprofit organization, including tips for how to most quickly and efficiently obtain the EIN and a guided walk-through of the process using the actual online application (Form SS-4) on the IRS website.
VIDEO: Establishing a Timeline to Prepare an Annual Budget | 5-Minute Lessons 4 Nonprofits
SE4N's A. Michael Gellman provides a short lesson on the scheduling and timing of the different phases of the budget building process for nonprofit organizations, including how much time to allot for budget preparation and approval and how to structure a work plan for creating initial and final drafts of the budget, seeking feedback from staff, management, and Board members, through the end of the budget approval process.
VIDEO: Opening a Bank Account for a New Nonprofit | 5-Minute Lessons 4 Nonprofits
SE4N's Benjamin Takis provides a short lesson on what new nonprofit organizations should have in mind when opening a bank account, including the preliminary steps that must be completed before opening the account and what documents and information the bank will require.
VIDEO: Applying the Segregation of Duties Principle | 5-Minute Lessons 4 Nonprofits
SE4N's A. Michael Gellman provides a short lesson on the importance of the segregation of duties (SOD) principle to nonprofit organizations, explaining how SOD is crucial not just for its standard checks and balances role, but also to help ensure that a transaction or process is a good use of resources, aligns with the mission, and enhances sustainability.
VIDEO: Drafting Donor Acknowledgment Letters | 5-Minute Lessons 4 Nonprofits
SE4N's Benjamin Takis provides a short lesson on what to include in donor acknowledgment letters, what NOT to include, how to handle quid pro quo contributions, and more.
VIDEO: Describing Your Mission in the Form 990 | 5-Minute Lessons 4 Nonprofits
SE4N's A. Michael Gellman provides a short lesson on how to approach drafting a nonprofit organization's mission statement and description for the three different parts of the Form 990.
VIDEO: Understanding the Public Support Test under § 509(a)(2) | 5-Minute Lessons 4 Nonprofits
SE4N's Benjamin Takis provides a short lesson for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations on how to understand the calculation of "public support" under Internal Revenue Code section 509(a)(2).
VIDEO: Formatting an Operating Reserve Policy | 5-Minute Lessons 4 Nonprofits
SE4N's A. Michael Gellman provides a short lesson on how to format an operating reserve policy in a way that shows your nonprofit organization's operating reserve goals in terms of both programs and percentage of budget, sets clear bottom-line budget targets, and provides a framework for operating reserve status reports.
VIDEO: Understanding the Public Support Test under § 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) | 5-Minute Lessons 4 Nonprofits
SE4N's Benjamin Takis provides a short lesson for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations on how to understand the calculation of "public support" under Internal Revenue Code sections 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) and 509(a)(1).
VIDEO: Establishing a Cash Management Target Policy | 5-Minute Lessons 4 Nonprofits
SE4N's A. Michael Gellman provides a short lesson on cash management target policies for operating and intermediate cash funds.
VIDEO: Keeping Board Meeting Minutes | 5-Minute Lessons 4 Nonprofits
SE4N's Benjamin Takis provides a short lesson on how to properly draft and maintain nonprofit Board and committee meeting minutes.
VIDEO: Adding an Assistant Treasurer Position | 5-Minute Lessons 4 Nonprofits
SE4N's A. Michael Gellman provides a short lesson on the benefits of adding an assistant treasurer position to your nonprofit organization’s governance structure, including ideas for how to implement this role.