Questions asked and FAQ's

This blog features questions from AFP members as well as FAQ's from the AFP Fundraising Resource Center. AFP provides listings of hyperlinks to other Internet pages as a user privilege. AFP does not necessarily endorse, support or attest to the accuracy of information posted on those Internet pages. Some urls may require registration to view and/or may only be available for a limited time. Information represents only a sampling of material that may be available.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Nonprofit Exec's First 90 days and Onboarding

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The executive director’s first 90 days

http://donordreams.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/the-executive-directors-first-90-days/

Making the most of your first 90 days

http://baconlee.com/making-the-most-of-your-first-90-days/

Boards and the Onboarding Process for New Nonprofit Executives

https://nonprofitquarterly.org/governancevoice/24557-boards-and-the-onboarding-process-for-new-nonprofit-executives.html

Guide to Successful Nonprofit Executive Onboarding

https://www.compasspoint.org/sites/default/files/documents/StrongerTogether/C8_R1_Handout2_Evaluating%20the%20CEO%20a%20Process%20to%20Benefit%20the%20CEO%20the%20Board%20and%20the%20Staff.pdf

How to Welcome a New CEO

http://www.asaecenter.org/Resources/ANowDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=62305

Others

http://www.oneoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/OnBoarding-Developing-goals-for-a-CEOs-first-6-months-Agee-McDonald.pdf

http://jaroland74.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/john-rolands-proposed-nonprofit-30-60-90-day-plan/

http://www.strengtheningnonprofits.org/resources/e-learning/online/leadinganonprofit/default.aspx?chp=1

Gift Policies manuals and ideas

Looking for a Gift Policy manual? Here is some manual material and ideas.

Boston University

http://www.bu.edu/policies/files/2015/06/bu-gift-policy-manual-5-16-12.pdf
Montana State University
http://www.montana.edu/policy/gifts/
From Columbia
http://policylibrary.columbia.edu/files/policylib/imce_shared/Gift_Policies_Manual_-_11-09_edition.pdf
Not a manual but some policy ideas
St Augustine
https://www.st-aug.edu/stewardship-policy.html

AFP also has a great Hot Topic on Policies and Procedures which is available as a member benefit (requires signin)
http://www.afpnet.org/bbtdetail.cfm?itemnumber=4287

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Grantwriting fees; Bonus and Incentives; and Consultants and Consulting

Here is some material we’ve seen on Grantwriting fees and also on Consultants and Consulting. Also on Bonus and Incentives.

Grant Writers compensation

https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/grant-writer-salary-SRCH_KO0,12.htm

http://nonprofitconsultant.blogspot.com/2006/03/about-grant-writing-fees-commissions.html

http://writingkimberly.com/2009/02/01/grant-writers-working-on-commission-or-percentage-basis/

https://grantresults.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/grant-writing-as-a-career-hourly-rates-and-flat-rates-in-2013/

From 2006

https://philanthropy.com/article/Calculating-fees-as-a/172609

Some material on the Ethics of Consulting Fees from AFP

http://www.afpnet.org/Publications/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=3350

Our Hot Topic on Consultants and Consulting (Hot topics are a AFP member benefit and require membership login.

Consultants and Consulting

http://www.afpnet.org/HotTopic/Consulting

The AFP Resource Center receives many queries about consulting. Some relate to how and why to hire a consultant; others relate to how to become a consultant. In this Hot Topic paper we will address both. Much of the material herein is from AFP’s Information Exchange paper "Thinking About Becoming a Consultant?" by Linda Lysakowski and AFP’s Ready Reference guide "So You Want to Be a Consultant."

Nonprofit Communication Plans

Here is some material we’ve seen on Communication strategies and plans. I hope you find them useful as a starting point.
Nonprofit Communication Plan template
https://upleaf.com/nonprofit-resources/strategy-design/communication-plan-template
Developing a communications strategy — Knowhow Nonprofit
https://knowhownonprofit.org/campaigns/communications/effective-communications-1/communications-strategy
Communications toolkit
http://www.coloradononprofits.org/wp-content/uploads/communications-toolkit_pt.-1.pdf
How new donor communication plans can improve donor retention
https://bloomerang.co/blog/how-new-donor-communication-plans-can-improve-donor-retention/
Kickstart Yourself with a Communications Grid
http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog/2014/03/26/kick-start-yourself-with-a-communications-grid/
Getting started with Communications Planning

http://www.wildapricot.com/articles/communication-planning

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Donor Advised Funds

Definition from the AFP Fundraising Dictionary http://www.afpnet.org/ResourceCenter/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=3380 This link requires AFP membership to access. Cut and paste of the definition is below.

donor-advised fund,

a fund in which the donor exercises the privilege of making

nonbinding recommendations to the governing body as to which public charity or

charities should receive grant money from this fund. See other

fund phrases at FUND.

From the IRA

http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Charitable-Organizations/Donor-Advised-Funds

https://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Charitable-Organizations/New-Requirements-for-Donor-Advised-Funds

http://www.nptrust.org/donor-advised-funds/faq/

http://www.nptrust.org/daf-report/index.html

A variety of material via our blogs

http://afprc7.blogspot.com/search/label/NPDonorAdvisedFunds

Here is some material on Donor Advised Funds from Grantspace.org ( A service of the Foundation Center)

http://grantspace.org/Tools/Knowledge-Base/Funding-Resources/General/Donor-advised-funds

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http://www.ecfa.org/Content/TopicDAFUsedToPayPledge

http://www.gcfdn.org/StartGiving/ChoosingaCharitableFund/DonorAdvisedFundFAQs/tabid/250/Default.aspx

I want to fulfill a pledge/commitment to a specific charity through my fund. Can I do that?

No. By law, GCF may not issue grant checks to fulfill a pledge or commitment. (See above “What are the restrictions on grantmaking?”) If a donor were permitted to use an advised fund to fulfill a legal obligation or pledge, it would be clear that the donor never truly ceded control of his or her gift to GCF. For this reason, GCF cannot satisfy a donor’s pledge or obligation, even if the commitment is to a qualified public charity. If GCF is made aware that your grant suggestion relates to a pledge or commitment, the Board must deny your request.

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http://www.cfburkecounty.org/faqs.html#q02

Can I fulfill my pledges with a donor-advised fund?

Many times donor advisors include "pledge" language in their recommendations to CFBC for their donor advised funds. In accordance with the Treasury Department regulations, grants awarded from CFBC funds may not be used to fulfill personal pledges or a financial obligation of a donor.

CFBC cannot pay pledges that were pre-existing personal commitments. We suggest that instead of completing a pledge card indicating a legally binding commitment, you communicate with the charity your intent to recommend a grant from your fund at CFBC. This is not a legally binding commitment. We will not honor recommendations that reference a pledge or copies of invoices.

We recommend for both your convenience and the convenience of a charity who will receive funds through a donor advised fund, that you include special instructions such as "capital campaign" or "general support" when you make your recommendation. Space is provided for these instructions on the donor recommendation form

Donor Walls

Donor Recognition/Donor walls
http://www.plannedlegacy.com/newsletter/donor-wall-planning-questions.html

http://www.plannedlegacy.com/donor-wall-information-guide-PDF-download.cfm

https://www.quora.com/Why-is-installing-an-interactive-donor-recognition-wall-in-a-nonprofit-organization-a-good-idea

https://rcbawards.wordpress.com/tag/donor-wall-best-practice/

https://www.pinterest.com/moneyminder/donor-wall-ideas/

Organizations that use:

http://www.nps.gov/partnerships/donor_partner_walls.htm

Although we do not recommend specific vendors or consultants you can find a number of vendors in our AFPconsultants directory.

http://fundraisingconsultantsandresourcedirectory.com/results.php?loginpost=login&feedpost=post&search_type=keyword&term=donor+recognition&search_option=phrase&state=&cityzip=City+or+ZIP&miles=100&category=&heading

Staff and Employee Campaigns

Here is some material on Staff and Employee Campaigns we have seen.

We have some material referenced on our AFP Resource Center Blogs

http://afprc7.blogspot.com/search/label/NPStaffCampaign

http://afprc23.blogspot.com/2007/10/some-material-on-employee-giving.html

Some additional links (these may overlap with what we list on the blogs)

http://www.libertyhospitalfoundation.org/EmployeeGivingTree.html

https://www.givetochildrens.org/staff-campaigns/employee-campaign

http://www.charityemployers.com/resource.php?resourceid=8&titleid=1

http://giving.harthosp.org/page.aspx?pid=370

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=159

http://grantspace.org/Tools/Knowledge-Base/Funding-Resources/Corporations/Workplace-giving

https://www.blackbaud.com/files/resources/downloads/WhitePaper_AskYourEmployeesForMoney.pdf

Wednesday, December 02, 2015

Fund Management and Reporting

When it comes to managing donor gifts, fundraising professionals in nonprofit organizations have to walk a fine line. On the one hand, professional fundraisers are not the accountants or financial managers of their organizations. On the other hand, they have a fiduciary responsibility under the AFP Code of Ethics to ensure to the best of their ability that donations are recorded and reported accurately and used according to the donors’ wishes—even if the donor is no longer around.

It’s a little like when you were young and your mother told you not to let your little brother run into the street.

The following sources can help fundraisers get the information they need to monitor and evaluate financial management practices in their organizations.

Principles of Nonprofit Investment Management
This PDF document identifies and defines seven key issues involved in nonprofit investment management: objectives, payout policy, asset allocation, manager selection, risk management, cost, and responsibilities.
https://www.commonfund.org/_catalogs/masterpage/principlesofnonprofitinvestmgmt.pdf

Nonprofit Asset Management: Effective Investment Strategies and Oversight
This book is a guide for effective investment management and oversight of endowments, foundations and other nonprofit investors. Although not aimed primarily for fundraising professionals, it provides valuable information to help fundraisers evaluate and oversee their organization's management of donor funds. It covers topics such as a simple framework for the oversight of assets, setting investment objectives, investment policy, asset allocation strategies, investment manager selection, alternative asset classes, and how to establish an effective oversight system to ensure the program stays on track.
http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1118004523.html

All About Financial Management in Nonprofits
This "free library" provides links to a multitude of information sources on topics such as basics and getting started; planning and cash management; financial statements, analysis, and reporting; and special topics such as cutting costs and lease versus buy.
http://managementhelp.org/nonprofitfinances/

Financial Management Tools and Resources
The Council of Nonprofits website provides links to information sources on financial management, unrelated business income taxation, nonprofits and the new OMB uniform guidance, own your own costs, (mis)understanding overhead, and other related topics.
https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-resources-categories/financial-management

Reporting Net Assets In Correct Columns
Financial statements of nonprofits display net assets (equity) in three classes: unrestricted, temporarily restricted and permanently restricted. This article clears up some of the confusing classification issues and reporting pitfalls that persist.
http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/management-tips/reporting-net-assets-correct-columns/?r=ig-mo

The 2015-2016 Nonprofit Accounting Insights & Analysis Survey
This survey by Nonprofit PRO magazine reports information central to nonprofit accounting management, including the amount of time spent inside and outside an organization’s financial system pulling and manipulating data, and specific software features used to manage nonprofits.
http://www.accufund.com/npo-survey/uncategorised/npo-survey

Outcomes Reporting
This survey found reporting on outcomes is made difficult for most nonprofits.
<http://thirdsectortoday.com/2015/10/29/survey-finds-reporting-on-outcomes-made-difficult-for-most-nonprofits/>

Tuesday, October 06, 2015

Membership Programs

Types of Membership Programs

Giving Societies and Donor Clubs

A two-part article from The Fundraising Authority on setting up and using giving societies and donor clubs:

Part 1. Using Giving Societies and Donor Clubs Effectively

http://www.thefundraisingauthority.com/donor-cultivation/donor-clubs-part1/

Part 2. How to Set Up Successful Giving Societies and Donor Clubs

http://www.thefundraisingauthority.com/donor-cultivation/donor-clubs-part2/

Three Alumni Membership Models

Pros and cons of three membership models used in alumni associations.
http://www.alumnifutures.com/2010/06/dues-based-associations.html

Survey: Lifetime Memberships in Education Associations

Results from a 2011 survey conducted for the Reggio Alliance.
Research report dated October 10, 2011) (Download)

Examples of Successful Membership Programs

The Brooklyn Museum's socially networked museum membership

http://www.fundraisingsuccessmag.com/article/membership-20-a-socially-networked-museum-membership-403238_1.html

The Detroit Regional Chamber's tiered membership structure

http://www.asaecenter.org/PublicationsResources/AMMagArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=11120

Enticing members with loyalty programs and perks: an article from the Wild Apricot blog

http://www.wildapricot.com/blogs/newsblog/2011/10/12/enticing-members-with-loyalty-programs-and-perks

Starting a Membership Program

How to start an association: an ASAE white paper

http://www.asaecenter.org/PublicationsResources/whitepaperdetail.cfm?ItemNumber=24445

How to start a partner membership program with the National Park Service

http://www.nps.gov/partnerships/membership_programs.htm

Starting a membership program: a Boardhost answer

http://members4.boardhost.com/PNDtalk/msg/1146754110.html

An ASAE primer on dues structure

http://www.asaecenter.org/PublicationsResources/ANowDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=24748

How to Set Up a Recurring or Lifetime Membership Program on Blackbaud

https://www.blackbaud.com/files/support/guides/altruac/memworkflowrecurringlifetime.html

Member Management

Non-Profit Help: making unhappy members lifetime members in 3 easy steps

http://www.non-profithelp.com/blog/?p=234

Tax-Related Considerations

An AFP FAQ: Deductibility of Membership Dues

http://www.afpnet.org/ResourceCenter/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=3306

IRS Publication 526 (2011), Charitable Contributions

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p526/ar02.html

A Fundraising 123 Article: Are Membership Dues Deductible?

http://www.fundraising123.org/node/544#.VhaL5BNViko

Naming Policies and Opportunities

Why Having a Good Naming Policy is Important

The following article explains the value of establishing a naming policy and the requirements and elements of a good naming policy:
http://www.afpnet.org/ResourceCenter/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=3907

Examples of difficulties that can arise if you don't have a clear policy on naming:
http://www.afpnet.org/files/ContentDocuments/Name%20Dropping%20%2D%20Advancing%20Philanthropy%20JanFeb%202007.pdf

Canada has legal requirements for naming nonprofits and societies. This article gives a summary.
http://www.millerthomson.com/en/publications/newsletters/charities-and-not-for-profit-newsletter/november-2015/issues-with-naming-societies-and-not-for

Sample Naming Policies

A Generic Sample from the AFP Hot Topic on Naming:
http://www.afpnet.org/bbtdetail.cfm?itemnumber=4544

Oregon State University's Naming Policy:
http://fa.oregonstate.edu/gen-manual/university-property-naming-policy

Baldwin Public Library's Naming Policy:

http://web.baldwinlib.org/web/live/about_bpl/policies/Naming_Policy.pdf

Sample Naming Agreements

A generic naming agreement in letter form:

http://supportingadvancement.com/more_with_less/policies/phillips_gft_agreement_individual.pdf

The University of Vermont's sample naming agreement:

http://supportingadvancement.com/more_with_less/policies/uv_sample_gift_agreement.htm

Columbia University's Standardized Gift Agreement Materials:

http://www.dkv.columbia.edu/demo/admin_policy/site/policies/pdfs/GiftAgreementRev06.pdf

San Diego State University's Gift Agreement Templates:

http://blink.ucsd.edu/sponsor/gift-processing/agreement-templates.html

The University of Tennessee Foundation's Gift Agreement Requirements and Templates:

http://www.utfi.org/staff-resources/business-office/gift-agreements/

Crafting Policy on Naming Opportunities

Some considerations in establishing a policy on naming opportunities:

http://www.academicimpressions.com/news/crafting-naming-opportunities-plan

Ten suggested rules for naming policies and reasons for considering them:

http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/reality_check/naming_names_ten_rules

A sample policy on gift naming opportunities and levels:

http://adminrecords.ucsd.edu/ppm/docs/410-4.html

A discussion on the need to provide flexibility in gift policy for today’s reality and as that reality changes over time:

http://tax.cchgroup.com/images/FOT/JPEP%20Manterfield%20charitable%20planning.pdf

An example of long-term and short-term naming policies for a school district:
http://www.boarddocs.com/fl/palmbeach/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=9R8NDB5AD0A1#

Naming Opportunities in Zoos and Gardens

Naming opportunities in public gardens: Results of a 2013 survey of smaller donor naming practices.

https://www.publicgardens.org/files/files/Benches%20Bricks%20Beauty%20Bounty%20Survey%20Report.pdf

Naming opportunities at the Phoenix Zoo:

http://phoenixzoo.org/support/naming-opportunities/

Donation opportunities at the Henry Vilas Zoo

http://www.vilaszoo.org/donate

Dedication opportunities at the Lincoln Park Zoo

http://www.lpzoo.org/support/ways-give/dedication-opportunities

The Adopt-a-Bench Program of New York City's Central Park Conservancy

http://www.centralparknyc.org/about/about-cpc/womens-committee/adopt-a-bench.html

Our related Hot Topic

Donor Relations/Stewardship

http://www.afpnet.org/HotTopic/DonorRelations

Relationships are critical in fundraising. The focus of philanthropy must be relationship-building that is customized to the needs and desires of the donor. Individuals have different motivations for and patterns of giving. The more an organization knows about potential donors' motives and how they like to give, the better positioned it is to make effective solicitations.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Charity sponsored runners

Charity Sponsored Runners material

http://www.baa.org/utilities/charities.aspx

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/style/2013/11/29/want-run-boston-marathon-for-charity-with-applications-running-double-triple-even-four-times-usual-rate-good-luck/7BzQrZfSUUQ5kLgMKrT4SK/story.html

http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/charity-running-more-competitive-than-ever?page=single

http://running.competitor.com/2010/12/inside-the-magazine/running-for-a-cause-%E2%80%93-charity-resource_19169

http://www.mc-coop.org/home.aspx

http://observer.com/2014/10/fewer-charities-involved-in-the-nyc-marathon/

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Converting Special Event donors

A variety of content we've seen about converting Special Event Donors.
The Event Pipeline: Turning Event Guests into Major Donors

http://www.nycafp.org/sites/default/files/files/The_Event_Pipeline_-_Turning_Event_Guests_into_Major_Donors_-_Fundraising_Day_in_NY_6-27-14.pptx

Engaging Event Donors: Stop trying to make a pig to sing

http://npengage.com/nonprofit-fundraising/engaging-event-donors-stop-trying-make-pig-sing/

Turn Donors into Lifetime Donors with Three-Part Strategy http://www.alliance1.org/magazine/issue1-2013/turn-donors-lifetime-donors-three-part-strategy

http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog/2012/05/23/make-event-donors-your-next-organizational-donors/\

How to Take Charge of Your Fundraising Events so they’re Worth the Effort: Converting Attendees into Ongoing Donors

http://www.clairification.com/2012/11/18/how-to-take-charge-of-your-fundraising-events-so-theyre-worth-the-effort-converting-event-attendees-into-ongoing-donors/
Tips on Converting Event Donors to Organizational Donors

http://curtisgroupconsultants.com/index.php/blog/article/tips_on_converting_event_donors_to_organizational_donors/

Wednesday, January 07, 2015

Bitcoin and Other Virtual Currency

As described in Wikipedia, bitcoin is a software-based online payment system introduced as open-source software in 2009. Payments work peer-to-peer without a central repository, government backing, or a single administrator, which has led the US Treasury to call bitcoin a decentralized virtual currency. Although its status as a currency is disputed, media reports often refer to bitcoin as a "cryptocurrency" or "digital currency."

Merchants have an incentive to accept the digital currency because fees are lower than the 2–3% typically imposed by credit card processors. However bitcoins can be subject to wide price swings, can be stolen, and lack consumer protections.

Along with the growing popularity of Bitcoin, the number of charitable organizations that accept virtual currencies has been growing. At the same time, so has government scrutiny, creating uncertainty about the continuing value of Bitcoin, Ripple, Litecoin, and other, smaller currencies. In March, the Internal Revenue Service issued its long awaited opinion on the taxation of virtual currencies, ruling they should be treated as property, not currency. That creates administrative and paperwork problems for those using Bitcoin, but also allows donors to obtain generous charitable income tax deductions for donating Bitcoin that is worth more than they paid for it, just as they do for giving appreciated stock to charity.