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CHECKLIST: Simplified Balance Sheet Assessment
Balance sheets are part of standard nonprofit organization financial reporting, but are intimidating to most individuals and often misunderstood. This 3-step checklist uses easy-to-understand “Yes” or “No” questions to help you to work through a new balance sheet and make a quick assessment of an organization’s current financial position and changing financial health trends.
![Determining When to Involve the Board in HR Matters [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6ccadfb4659c1d51df14d5/1693932375384-7CTF3L66IYR1BRDGG2YP/marcelo-franchi-oMxU_lOmC84-unsplash.jpg)
Determining When to Involve the Board in HR Matters [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Nonprofit organizations must be extra vigilant when it comes to managing unexpected and often rapidly changing human resources (HR) issues. Hesitation to react can lead to dire consequences. However, reacting without meaningful contemplation can be equally dangerous. One critical consideration is how to develop guidance for discussions and messaging with Board members on changing HR issues.
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Capital Campaigns and the Impact of Donor Fatigue [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Capital campaigns generate a lot of excitement and buzz for nonprofit organizations. Leveraging and harnessing this energy feeds hope for a brighter future. However, nonprofits must maintain a focus on protecting long-term financial health. At the conclusion of the capital campaign, the organization must be in a stronger position. One critical consideration is gauging the negative impact on current and future cash in-flows resulting from donor fatigue.
![Use This Simple Question to Improve Board and Committee Member Engagement [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6ccadfb4659c1d51df14d5/1695142653698-88XAU223OH4O5CJQD7K3/isabel-maria-guner-velasco-M3ymaLBPMQ8-unsplash.jpg)
Use This Simple Question to Improve Board and Committee Member Engagement [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Keeping nonprofit organization Board and committee members engaged is often more art than science. The reason this task is so difficult is because of the delicate balancing act between gratitude and appreciation. It is relatively easy to show gratitude and thank volunteer leaders for attending meetings. It is another thing to make sure these volunteer leaders leave each meeting with a feeling that it was a good use of their time, that they were actively involved in discussions, and the organization appreciated and valued their input.
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Enhanced Management Strategies for Indirect Costs [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
There are many aspects to consider when it comes to managing a nonprofit organization’s indirect costs. We often think first about compliance rules, which are naturally complicated and can vary by funding source and an organization’s own internal accounting policies and procedures. One aspect we tend not to emphasize enough is staff and their propensity to be disinterested and disconnected when it comes to considering and managing indirect costs.
Three Steps to Be Better Prepared for Public Disclosure Requests
How a nonprofit organization responds to public disclosure requests provides a clear window to its commitment to accountability and transparency. However, many organizations are insufficiently prepared to respond to requests for documents. This can lead to compliance failures and/or inadvertently sharing sensitive information that was not required to be disclosed.
![Audit Planning Calendars Can Make Audits Less Stressful and More Efficient [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6ccadfb4659c1d51df14d5/1708791377742-HS2EGEXSLWLWC8DBVTV5/board-218535_1920.jpg)
Audit Planning Calendars Can Make Audits Less Stressful and More Efficient [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Financial statement audits have natural “built-in tensions” between nonprofit organizations and their independent auditors. These tensions are advantageous from a checks and balances point of view but can lead to communication challenges if not properly managed. Agreeing on a detailed planning calendar at the front end of the audit will make for a less stressful and more efficient audit process.
![Aligning Investing Purpose to Institutional Mission and Culture [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6ccadfb4659c1d51df14d5/1695078743847-JHV3GVLD4SYG6VDZ7FPT/directory-235079_1920.jpg)
Aligning Investing Purpose to Institutional Mission and Culture [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
An increasing number of nonprofit organizations are implementing mission aligned investing and this approach may soon become an expected best practice. Core investment acumen will always be focused on safety, liquidity, and return on investment (ROI), balancing the risk/reward of these three key investment pillars. However, many nonprofits with investable funds now consider mission aligned investing as an important fourth pillar of their investment strategy.
Three-Dimensional Financial Messaging
The delivery and interpretation of financial reports is a complex and sometimes unpredictable process. It becomes even more complicated when you realize that the target audience consists of multiple end-users who will be considering financial information from multiple points of view. Effective financial messaging tactics that incorporate a three-dimensional (3-D) tactical approach will give you more options and opportunities to connect with the many different types of users of financial information.
![Adding Pre-Month-End Closing Meetings Can Enhance Financial Communications [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6ccadfb4659c1d51df14d5/1703031923720-REQEY4SAWNKKSPD3H424/pexels-towfiqu-barbhuiya-9810172.jpg)
Adding Pre-Month-End Closing Meetings Can Enhance Financial Communications [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
I am always looking for efficient, creative, and low risk opportunities to improve financial communications. This usually involves both art and science, a mix of creative and structured tactics. Adding pre-month-end closing meetings is a value-added practice that takes advantage of both tactics with high upside potential for positive results.
![Time to Take a Fresh Look at Old Board-Designated Funds [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6ccadfb4659c1d51df14d5/1709987619004-PP72M5ZUDFOO03FFTIBG/oskars-sylwan-TaDYbj5q1Gc-unsplash.jpg)
Time to Take a Fresh Look at Old Board-Designated Funds [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
In my professional life I view many financial statements from a wide variety of nonprofit organizations, and I am always amazed, but not shocked, by how many of these nonprofits have Board-designated funds sitting on their balance sheets. Two questions immediately come to mind. Why where they originally established? Is the purpose still relevant today? Often the answers lie in understanding the circumstances occurring at the time the Board originally designated the funds.
![Can a Sketch Work Better Than a Financial Forecast? [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6ccadfb4659c1d51df14d5/1709301429479-FJ871XUXLIGDQ5OAJXY4/light-bulb-1133639_1920.jpg)
Can a Sketch Work Better Than a Financial Forecast? [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
Business, financial, and operational professionals love concepts related to financial forecasts. It is our way to view an abstract complicated plan in terms of dollars and the impact on resources both positive (surpluses – add to resources) and negative (deficits – use of resources). But outside our inner circle, forecasts are often viewed with misunderstanding, trepidation, and sometimes even fear. Taking a “sketch” approach can help people to embrace financial forecasts, enhance engagement, and be more confident with planning for new projects and efforts.
![GUIDE SHEET: Form 990, Page 6, Part VI, Section A - Governing Body and Management [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6ccadfb4659c1d51df14d5/1645627770981-4NE2PCKQLX5DJB6YBZXK/990+Resource+1.png)
GUIDE SHEET: Form 990, Page 6, Part VI, Section A - Governing Body and Management [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
R. Michael Sorrells (CPA) and A. Michael Gellman (CPA, CGMA) jointly authored this guide sheet to provide insights and tips on this highly visible portion of the Form 990, which directly impacts perceptions of the quality of your nonprofit organization’s management and the integrity of its governance practices.
![A Lesson for Nonprofits about Public Perception from the Crisis Text Line Controversy [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6ccadfb4659c1d51df14d5/1709903325020-J1C3HBLFN06X624YSYZ4/adem-ay-ik_AuIWeBBM-unsplash.jpg)
A Lesson for Nonprofits about Public Perception from the Crisis Text Line Controversy [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]
A controversy involving the nonprofit organization Crisis Text Line’s sharing of anonymized data with a related for-profit entity has been a major topic of conversation recently following a lengthy report by Politico. While the specifics of this situation may be unique, this story is a lesson to all nonprofits that public perception should always be considered as one of the main factors in any decision, and this public perception can be just as important as legal formalities.
Three Tactics for Communicating Difficult Budget Issues to Your Board
Difficult budget issues can often arise quickly and unexpectedly. To maintain a high level of trust with your nonprofit organization’s Board and remain transparent, collaborative, and inclusive, be sure to communicate in a timely and thoughtful manner.