Nonprofit Everything

Every once in a while we get a question that just warms our little hearts. And this week, a new nonprofit is already thinking about avoiding founder’s syndrome! Also, we talk about whether or not passthrough grants are allowed to be anonymous, and Stacey has some thoughts about how to avoid going after grants you really shouldn’t be going after. Topics: How do you keep your organization from going after grants you shouldn’t? – 0:05 As a brand-new founder, how to I avoid “founder’s syndrome”? 7:00 Are passthrough grants allowed to be anonymous? 26:20 Mentioned this week: Hang out with us on Discord! Ask us a question Sponsor the podcast

A couple of weeks ago we talked about accidentally restricting donations with an appeal, and this week week we continue the theme! Stacey talks to Guest Expert Barbara O’Reilly, CFRE, Founder and Principal of Windmill Hill Consulting, LLC about how to write specific fundraising appeals while still keeping contributions undesignated. Also this week, Stacey stumps Andy with a question about non-financial conflict of interest policies. Topics: Should we include non-financial conflicts of interest in our COI policy? – 0:05 How do we write specific fundraising appeals that remain undesignated? With Guest Expert Barbara O’Reilly of Windmill Hill Consulting 9:43 Mentioned this week: Windmill Hill Consulting, LLC Hang out with us on Discord! Ask us a question Sponsor the podcast

It’s the last episode of 2022 and we crammed in four whole questions! This week, Andy mentions about a few nonprofit-specific year-end accounting tasks (don’t worry, it’s short). We also answer a question about accidentally restricting donations, and talk up the benefits of a consent agenda for your board. Finally, we’re pretty sure someone lobbed us a question just to get us worked up for our end of year show. Topics: Are there nonprofit-specific year-end accounting tasks? – 0:00 Can we put our new Executive Director on commission? – 5:55 Our auditor says we restricted some donations we didn’t mean to. Can we appeal? – 14:37 What’s a consent agenda and should we have one? – 21:32 Mentioned this week: Dan Pallotta: The way we think about charity is dead wrong – TED AFP Code of Ethics (THIS WILL BE ON THE FINAL!) Hang out with us on Discord! Ask us a question Sponsor the podcast

Doesn’t it seem weird that the people most affected by a change in leadership are the ones with no say in the matter? Stacey and Andy seem to think so. Also this week, Stacey has some ideas about how to use storytelling in your appeals when you’re too new to have actual stories. Finally, Andy gets completely triggered by what could have been a simple math question, but instead turns into a history lesson about internal controls. (It’s better than it sounds.) Join us! Topics: What should we do if our organization is too new to have stories? – 0:00 At what level should the board approve expenses? – 7:05 Should staff have a voice in hiring a new ED? – 19:33 Mentioned this week: Hang out with us on Discord! Haiku Generator Ask us a question Sponsor the podcast

When a funder asks for a single number for the “budget”, what exactly do they want? We have some thoughts! Also, this week we turn a question about red flags to watch out for when considering an ED position into an excuse to complain about things! Finally, if you’re having trouble sleeping, Stacey and Andy have just the IRS publication for you! Topics: What number is the “budget”? – 0:00 What red flags should I look for when taking an Executive Director Role? – 5:39 How can I tell if something is Unrelated Business Income (subject to Tax)? – 14:16 Mentioned this week: Publication 598, Tax on Unrelated Business Income of Exempt Organizations Hang out with us on Discord! Haiku Generator Ask us a question Sponsor the podcast

Since it can be hard to find development staff, does it make sense to try to convert program staff into fundraisers? Stacey has some thoughts! Also this week, we find out if there are different rules when raising money for a private operating foundation, and what core activities a nonprofit should stick to when facing an economic downturn. Topics: Are the rules different when fundraising for a Private Operating Foundation? – 0:00 What core activities should we stick to in a downturn? – 3:50 Can program staff grow into the role of a fundraiser? – 16:59 Mentioned this week: Hang out with us on Discord! Haiku Generator Ask us a question Sponsor the podcast

You think your nonprofit is a mess? Wait until you hear this question — while it masquerades as a technical query about verbal resignations and bylaws, it gets weird fast! Also this week, Stacey and Andy share some thoughts about fundraising in a different state than the one you’re incorporated in, and we find out whether or not you are allowed to raise money before you actually get your determination letter back from the IRS. Topics: Can we do a fundraising event in a different state? – 0:00 Is a verbal resignation for a board chair enough? – 7:28 Can we fundraise if we don’t have our determination letter back from the IRS? – 25:04 Mentioned this week: Multi-State Charitable Solicitation Filing Note from Andy on the above link: “This looks like it’s outdated. We’ve reached out to them to see if they plan on updating it and will report back what we hear. In the meantime, the best current source of the state charitable registration requirements is probably the PDF available on the link below.” Updated State Charity Registration Provisions Survey for 2021 Hang out with us on Discord! Haiku Generator Ask us a question Sponsor the podcast

Ah, the age-old question — how do we set development goals when we’ve never had a development person before? Believe it or not, Stacey and Andy have some ideas! Also this week, we talk about how to handle naming rights when you’re renovating a building that already has a name. Finally, we tackle a particularly sensitive question that, frankly, is going to be a little uncomfortable for everybody. Sounds fun, right? Topics: How do we set goals for a new development person? – 0:00 Help! Staff want a voice in management decisions. – 9:01 Naming rights on a building that already has a name? – 21:28 Mentioned this week: The Speed of Trust Hang out with us on Discord! Haiku Generator Ask us a question Sponsor the podcast

What’s the best way to respond to memorial gifts? Stacey has some (non-ghoulish) thoughts. Also this week, Andy and Stacey have a minor disagreement about whether or not a nonprofit job is good for a person looking to advance in their career, and we find out how to train up a brand-new board member! Topics: How do we prepare a board member for first-time service? – 0:00 Is my nonprofit too small to provide opportunities for advancement? – 8:51 What’s the best way to respond to memorial (in memory of) donations? – 19:51 Mentioned this week: Hang out with us on Discord! Haiku Generator Ask us a question Sponsor the podcast

What happens to restrictions if our nonprofit is acquired by another nonprofit? We have some questions (and answers!) Plus, Stacey and Andy have tips for hiring for an Interim Executive Director, chat about some unconventional reporting structures, and get asked a very personal question. And we had to use the bleep button again this week — pretty soon we’re going to need a swear jar. Topics: How do we handle restricted gifts if we’re being acquired by another nonprofit? – 0:00 What should the roles and responsibilities of an interim executive director be? – 8:30 Is it weird to have an executive director reporting to a CEO? – 19:48 What are some causes that the two of you give to and why? – 24:47 Mentioned this week: Hang out with us on Discord! Ask us a question Sponsor the podcast