Articles

GET FREE ANSWERS TO READERS’ QUESTIONS

You'll see what your colleagues are asking and you can ask your own questions too.
We provide at least four a week, along with other free stuff.
Sign up to receive our regular free content.

Read the Current Issue

Read the articles

Download the PDF
Login or Sign Up for full access

July Webinar

From Policy to Practice: Optimizing Your Nonprofit Personnel Handbook
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
1:30-3:00 PM ET

How good is your personnel policy handbook?

Whether your nonprofit has 10 employees, 200 employees, or more than 1000, you probably have a personnel policy “handbook.” You give it to new employees and require that they sign to acknowledge receipt.

But do they actually read it? If they do, does it cover the policies you want them to understand? Does it reflect the type of working environment you want to maintain? Does it cover issues required by law? In a way that complies with the law?

Does it cover available leaves? Disciplinary procedures? Remote work? Whistleblower protections? Conflicts of Interest? Social media policies?

Does it protect your ability to change the policies? Do you have a way to update it regularly, with changes going to all employees?

Learn more and register

Nonprofit bylaw review

Don Kramer will review and comment on your own current or proposed bylaws

Do your Bylaws reflect the way you actually operate? Do they protect the interests of those who should be protected? Do they spell out clearly how to deal with governance issues? Or do they create uncertainty for those who have to implement them?

Most nonprofits don't spend a lot of time looking at their Bylaws until there is a question or a dispute. That's when you need bylaws that are clear and unambiguous, so your questions on how to proceed are already answered. That's when bad bylaws can lead to unnecessary controversies or even costly litigation. Nonprofit Issues editor Don Kramer will review your current or proposed Bylaws to see if they work for you.

Learn more

New Subscribers can have full access to the entire website and all editions for 3 months for only $17.95.

Subscribe Today

Here's what our readers say about Nonprofit Issues:
Thanks again for your excellent and helpful website - it's a wonderful resource for the non-profit community! --Stephanie H.

Thank you for your informative and keen advice on nonprofit matters. I believe it's a unique and concise place to get answers to this often wispy area called nonprofit. --Richard T.

SAY THAT AGAIN?

May 30, 2025

The loan agreement says: “All contractual rates of interest chargeable on the outstanding Term Loans shall continue to accrue and be paid even after default, maturity, acceleration, judgment, bankruptcy, insolvency proceedings of any kind or the happening of any event or occurrence similar or dissimilar.”

A former banker friend says that “any event or occurrence similar or dissimilar” is some lawyer “fancy talk” for “the kitchen sink!”

See our "Say That Again" collection

Special Report Available

Increasing Gender Diversity on the Boards of Nonprofit Eds and Meds: Why and How to Do It

This report provides a rare inside view on barriers women face to selection and success that are particular to nonprofit organizations and makes specific recommendations on how to improve the gender ratio.
Download the full report free

YOUR ONE-STOP PLACE FOR NONPROFIT LAW YOU NEED TO KNOW

Articles

Browse by Issue Date

If we solicit for small gifts, do we need to register?

Can Executive Committee approve new bylaws?

We are updating our by-laws. Is there a procedure we must follow to do this?

Can legal ramifications be curtailed by establishing an indemnification clause in bylaws?

Do we need to apply for 501(c)(3) status in order to get grant funding?

The IRS says we fall under 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(a)(vi). Can you explain why?

Nonprofit has filed State requirements but has never filed for federal exemption. Is this valid?

Is nonprofit required to allow public to sit in on Board Meeting?

Should PTA/PTO have its own EIN?

Can scholarship fund balance be refunded?

Can nonprofit pay for lunch?

Can a church be a LLC and 501(c)(3)?

What is the exact definition of "Board Consensus"?

Should a 501(c)(4) change to a 501(c)(3) charity?

Do you know of any 1 person 501(c)(3)s?

Is audition fee tax deductible?

Can a nonprofit compete with a for-profit business?

Deductions for Gifts to Foreign Charities?

Can a 501(c)(3) take a sabbatical as an organization to regroup?

Can charity provide election information?