Blog.
Most Recent Posts
![TEMPLATE: Volunteer Services Agreement [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6ccadfb4659c1d51df14d5/cf86301c-0767-4b3f-ae10-57aba7c3311f/pexels-rdne-6647113.jpg)
TEMPLATE: Volunteer Services Agreement [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
This template volunteer service agreement provides basic terms and conditions that are generally recommended for nonprofit organizations when using volunteer services. This sample document covers areas such as thanking the volunteer for their service, clarifying that compensation is not owed, waiver of liability / release language, confidentiality, use of the volunteer’s name, image, and likeness, intellectual property ownership, and more.
Video Podcast: The Purposes and Roles of the Audit Committee
Ben and Mike discuss why nonprofit organizations have audit committees, their traditional role throughout the annual audit process, the importance of the Board's perception of an audit committee's purposes, how the independence of the audit committee can serve nonprofits in expanded ways, and more.
VIDEO Q&A for Subscribers: March 2025
Ben and Mike answer questions from subscribers about record-keeping and document retention practices, using LLCs to limit liability risk in a fiscal sponsorship, disclosure of committee meeting minutes as part of the audit process, whether abstaining Board are counted for purposes of satisfying unanimous written consent procedures, and whether a quarterly Board meeting can be delayed into a subsequent quarter.
VIDEO PODCAST: The Basics of Fiscal Sponsorship Agreements
Ben and Mike discuss fiscal core concepts to understand the fiscal sponsor relationship and fiscal sponsorship agreements, including the distinction between Model A, Model B, and Model C fiscal sponsorship, key provisions that are found in all types of fiscal sponsorship agreements, and other considerations to have in mind when drafting or negotiating a fiscal sponsorship agreement.
VIDEO Q&A for Subscribers: February 2025
Ben and Mike answer questions from subscribers about how to navigate a financial environment in which grand funding is uncertain, whether people under 18 years old can serve on a nonprofit Board of Directors, whether membership dues are treated as donations or fees for services, and whether a last-minute item can be added to the Board meeting agenda.
![TEMPLATE: Model A Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6ccadfb4659c1d51df14d5/4fa14f59-82ca-4661-a339-d889aabce3ec/noah-naf-qhfxY3X6JV0-unsplash.jpg)
TEMPLATE: Model A Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
This template fiscal sponsorship agreement is intended for relatively straightforward “Model A” fiscal sponsorship relationships, sometimes called “direct” or “comprehensive” fiscal sponsorship. This sample document covers key terms such as the fiscal sponsor’s variance powers, the project leader's role as an employee of the fiscal sponsor, how assets are transferred upon termination, and more.
VIDEO PODCAST: Using Dashboards to Improve Understanding of Financial Reports
Ben and Mike discuss the role and purpose of financial dashboards for a nonprofit organization, how dashboards improve engagement with financial reports, the standard elements that make up a dashboard, and how dashboards can be optimized to best serve your organization.
VIDEO Q&A for Subscribers: January 2025
Ben and Mike answer questions from subscribers about how quickly a nonprofit Board of Directors must act to fill a vacant Board seat, how an organization can show a third party that it’s 501(c)(3) status is current and in good standing, the pros and cons of growing an organization through local chapters and affiliate structures, and the benefits of issuing an annual report for the general public to showcase an organization’s growth and successes.
![TEMPLATE: Model C Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6ccadfb4659c1d51df14d5/0ae236df-0659-4b4a-9eb1-8660e6167467/aldo-terrazas-OaHkLW3GOz4-unsplash.jpg)
TEMPLATE: Model C Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
This template fiscal sponsorship agreement is intended for relatively straightforward “Model C” fiscal sponsorship relationships, sometimes called “indirect” fiscal sponsorship or a “pre-approved grant relationship.” This sample document covers key terms such as the fiscal sponsor’s variance powers, the allowable use of grant funds, reporting and recordkeeping requirements, termination of the relationship, and more.
VIDEO PODCAST: Managing Nonprofit Governance Disputes
Ben and Mike discuss how corporate governance disputes tend to arise in nonprofit organizations, how building a culture of open debate and discussion on the Board of Directors and throughout the organization can help prevent disputes from getting out of control, navigating D&O insurance and the decision whether to report a claim, considerations for managing disputes once they've arisen, and more.
VIDEO Q&A for Subscribers: December 2024
Ben and Mike answer questions from subscribers about implementing a CEO / Executive Director succession or transition plan, how to handle errors in an already-filed Form 990, planning for the possible loss in grant funding or a change in funding sources, and whether a person can old two officer positions simultaneously.
![TEMPLATE: Multi-Year Grant Usage Schedule [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6ccadfb4659c1d51df14d5/491e0b78-493c-4b0f-972c-01c1d4c1c289/pexels-muhammad-azhar-3401382-5085262.jpg)
TEMPLATE: Multi-Year Grant Usage Schedule [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Multi-year grants can be very beneficial to a nonprofit organization but can cause significant bottom-line budget (surplus and deficit) volatility. This template multi-year grant usage schedule will help to show the true impact of a grant over the full period of its use and move attention away from the impact on any one single fiscal year budget.
VIDEO PODCAST: Using Lines of Credit to Address Cash Flow Issues
Ben and Mike discuss lines of credit and other forms of debt, whether a line of credit can be an appropriate tool to help nonprofit organizations manage cash flow, some issues to consider before taking out a line of credit, and the importance of addressing the root causes of an organization's cash flow shortfall.
![TEMPLATE: Short and Basic Grant Agreement [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6ccadfb4659c1d51df14d5/bc1462e3-deda-4cdc-a0c7-3edc747b5b6f/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4750274.jpg)
TEMPLATE: Short and Basic Grant Agreement [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
This short and basic grant agreement template is intended for situations involving relatively straightforward grants from one 501(c)(3) organization to another 501(c)(3) organization to fund a specific project or program. This sample document provides relatively concise language covering key terms such as the timing of grant payments, the allowable use of grant funds, reporting and recordkeeping requirements imposed on the recipient organization, and more.
VIDEO PODCAST: Assessing Independent Contractor vs. Employee Status
Mike and Ben discuss the legal standards for determining whether a nonprofit organization is permitted to a treat a worker as an independent contractor rather than an employee, the risks of worker misclassification and the different ways this issue can come to light, the reformulated IRS “20-factor” test, common mistakes and misconceptions about these rules, and more.