Nonprofits should consider every year an election year. And every session of the Congress, state legislature, or local government offers the possibility of public policy change that can significantly affect the work of nonprofit organizations.

Most charities that seek contributions nationally are required to register in 39 states and the District of Columbia that require registration before starting to solicit. What about for-profit fundraisers? Are they required to register and file their contracts and other documentation in some states? Since many states are increasing their enforcement efforts to ensure that charities and fundraisers are complying with initial and annual registration requirements, it's important that charities and fundraisers abide by these statutes—especially since noncompliance can result in the imposition of significant fines and penalties.

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This presentation addresses the art and science of drafting bylaws. Well-written and formulated bylaws help shape power relationships within a nonprofit organization; provide unambiguous procedures to prevent disputes; and reduce the risks of litigation. Bylaws should provide answers, not raise questions.

Nonprofit organizations will be subject to a series of significant new accounting standards that will begin to affect their financial statements beginning with fiscal years ending December 31, 2018.  

Planned giving sounds complicated, with its CRUTs and CRATs, CLUTs and CLATS, CGAs, PIFs and other vehicles. It can be incredibly complicated, but it needn't be. Keeping it simple may be the best way to start a planned giving program for a charity that hasn't already put one in place.

Charities raising funds through special events or other activities that involve sponsorships, auctions, lotteries, or thank-you gifts must deal with a variety of technical legal requirements in advertising, calculating, and acknowledging the money. This webinar reviews those rules so that charities can comply with the interlocking requirements.

Understanding the contents of policies - their opportunities and risks - can make your organization more effective.

How do you gain the confidence of the people you work within the nonprofit world? Following clear, straightforward policies in working with donors, collaborators, employees and public officials can be immensely helpful.  This webinar will take a close look at five more key policies to help.

This webinar will provide a high-level view of some of the major potential pitfalls for nonprofit organizations that can undercut your entire program.  You don’t want to deal with a governmental investigation or private litigation if you can avoid it.  And you want to be sure that you resolve the issues quickly and favorably if you can’t.  You don’t want to be diverted from pursuing your mission.

If you are a donor, a grant-seeker, a philanthropic manager, or a professional adviser to any of them, you need to know the rules that distinguish various philanthropic structures.

The world of commercial insurance is complex and always changing. It's no wonder that nonprofit managers, executives and board members often struggle trying to understand how coverage works and the process for obtaining comprehensive and affordable coverage.

Clear gift acceptance policies can protect a charity from accepting a gift that will cost the charity far more than it is worth, and from personally insulting a potential donor whose collection of beer bottle caps you don't really want.

Experts estimate that Americans hold some $3 trillion dollars in traditional Individual Retirement Accounts. Donors with children and an IRA who are also committed to making a significant gift to charity at death are usually receptive to a suggestion to combine the gifts to children and charity by giving all or a portion of the IRA to a charitable remainder unitrust ("CRUT"). Both charity and the children can do better with a larger combined gift than with an actuarially comparable gift of a portion of the IRA directly to charity.

It can be a slippery slope for board and staff when it comes to electioneering. This audio will encourage you to participate in advocacy and help you to manage risk when it comes to electioneering.

Listen to both of our 20 minute Ready Reference Audios for one reduced price.

Protecting children is the duty and responsibility of all adults. As nonprofit entities, you have the opportunity to craft policies and procedures that not only manage your own risk but also create a space where children are protected and child sexual abuse is prevented.

Social entrepreneurs and other individuals often ask for help in starting a nonprofit organization. This webinar discusses many of the most important questions one should ask before proceeding and provide a checklist of legal and practical requirements for getting the organization up and running.

Three national sources of charity information have just published an open letter to donors confirming what most charities have known for a long time: “the percent of charity expenses that go to administrative and fundraising costs ‑ commonly referred to as ‘overhead’‑ is a poor measure of a charity’s performance.”

Nonprofits depend upon effective leadership from both the board and staff to successfully fulfill their missions and programs. The Standards for Excellence® 2.0 Ethics and Accountability Program for the Nonprofit Sector has set forth a series of significant principles and policies to enhance the leadership and governance of charitable organizations.