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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 [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
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]
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 Q&A for Subscribers: November 2024 [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Ben and Mike answer questions from subscribers about the spending of operating reserves, conflicts of interest related founders of a nonprofit becoming staff, deciding between filing the Form 990-EZ and the Form 990, and legal issues raised by the moving of funds between related organizations.
VIDEO PODCAST: Assessing Independent Contractor vs. Employee Status [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
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.
Five Ways Nonprofit Board Actions Can Be Challenged Under Law [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
It is well-known that Board members are subject to fiduciary duties in their oversight and decision-making role, among other rules that apply to nonprofit organizations. However, the practical reality of how these requirements are scrutinized, applied, and enforced is less understood. This article provides a brief overview of some common ways that Board decisions and actions could be challenged in court.
VIDEO Q&A for Subscribers: October 2024 [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Ben and Mike answer questions from subscribers about managing staff concerns about the additional workload that may come from forming a new subsidiary or related entity, mid-year amendments to the annual budget, whether an organization should restore its good standing as a corporation prior to dissolving, and the distinction between restricted funds and Board-designated funds.
TEMPLATE: Operating Reserves Status Report Spreadsheet [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Operating reserves are one the most important components of financial health for a nonprofit organization and a key indicator for long-term fiscal and financial sustainability. Providing regular reports on the status of an organization’s operating reserves is essential for monitoring an organization’s financial health as well as compliance with its operating reserve policy.
VIDEO PODCAST: Drafting Independent Contractor Agreements [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Ben and Mike discuss key issues nonprofits should consider when drafting independent contractor agreements for consultants and other service providers, including how independent contractor agreements impact worker classification, approaches to using and customizing template agreements, drafting compensation and scope of work terms, and more.
VIDEO Q&A for Subscribers: September 2024 [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Ben and Mike answer questions from subscribers about whether nonprofit organizations should require employees and Board members to provide receipts for small dollar expense reimbursements, tips for properly using executive sessions in Board of Directors meetings, and issues raised by nonprofits providing capacity building support to other nonprofits.
TEMPLATE: Code of Ethics [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
A Code of Ethics is one of the fundamental governance policies that all nonprofit organizations should have, and an important complement to your organization’s conflict of interest policy. This Code of Ethics template is intended to help your organization identify and express the core principles and ethical requirements with which all Board members, staff, and other individuals who serve and/or represent the organization are expected to comply.
VIDEO PODCAST: Board Meeting Tips for Nonprofits [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Ben and Mike discuss tips and recommendations to help nonprofits make their Board meetings more efficient and impactful, including best practices related to advance notice and distribution of Board materials, creating a meeting agenda, use of a "consent agenda," and whether nonprofits should follow Robert's Rules of Order.
CHECKLIST: Virtual Board and Committee Meeting Tips [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
The default format for traditional governance meetings (Boards of Directors, committees, working groups, etc.) has shifted to a virtual setting. However, most governance meetings still use agendas, approaches, and meeting structures based on old “in-person” meeting formats. This 4-page checklist is designed to help you freshen up your virtual Board and committee meetings, make them more effective, and improve participant engagement and satisfaction.
VIDEO PODCAST: Why Nonprofits Should Have Operating Reserves [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Ben and Mike discuss the reasons why operating reserves are essential for the financial health and sustainability of nonprofit organizations, the short-term and long-term purposes of operating reserves, lessons learned from past economic disruptions, and some recommendations for operating reserve policies.
VIDEO Q&A for Subscribers: July 2024 [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Ben and Mike answer questions from subscribers about the definition of cash basis accounting and its consequences, implications of Board term holdover language and legal remedies to hold organizations accountable for not following their Bylaws, the benefits of tracking volunteer hours and what this means for an organization’s Form 990 and financial statements.