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/>
Wednesday, December 02, 2015
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
Part 2. How to Set Up Successful Giving Societies and Donor Clubs
Three Alumni Membership Models
Pros and cons of three membership models used in alumni associations.
http://www.alumnifutures.com/
http://www.alumnifutures.com/
Survey: Lifetime Memberships in Education Associations
Results from a 2011 survey conducted for the Reggio Alliance.
Research report dated October 10, 2011) (Download)
Research report dated October 10, 2011) (Download)
Examples of Successful Membership Programs
The Brooklyn Museum's socially networked museum membership
The Detroit Regional Chamber's tiered membership structure
Enticing members with loyalty programs and perks: an article from the Wild Apricot blog
Starting a Membership Program
How to start an association: an ASAE white paper
How to start a partner membership program with the National Park Service
Starting a membership program: a Boardhost answer
An ASAE primer on dues structure
http://www.asaecenter.org/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
Tax-Related Considerations
An AFP FAQ: Deductibility of Membership Dues
IRS Publication 526 (2011), Charitable Contributions
A Fundraising 123 Article: Are Membership Dues Deductible?
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/
Examples of difficulties that can arise if you don't have a clear policy on naming:
http://www.afpnet.org/files/
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/
Oregon State University's Naming Policy:
http://fa.oregonstate.edu/gen-manual/university-property-naming-policy
Baldwin Public Library's Naming Policy:
Sample Naming Agreements
A generic naming agreement in letter form:
The University of Vermont's sample naming agreement:
Columbia University's Standardized Gift Agreement Materials:
The University of Tennessee Foundation's Gift Agreement Requirements and Templates:
Crafting Policy on Naming Opportunities
Some considerations in establishing a policy on naming opportunities:
Ten suggested rules for naming policies and reasons for considering them:
A sample policy on gift naming opportunities and levels:
A discussion on the need to provide flexibility in gift policy for today’s reality and as that reality changes over time:
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#
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.
Naming opportunities at the Phoenix Zoo:
Donation opportunities at the Henry Vilas Zoo
Dedication opportunities at the Lincoln Park Zoo
The Adopt-a-Bench Program of New York City's Central Park Conservancy
Our related Hot Topic
Donor Relations/Stewardship
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
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
The Event Pipeline: Turning Event Guests into Major Donors
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/
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.
How to Donate Bitcoin to Charity and Get a Big Tax Deduction
http://www.forbes.com/sites/janetnovack/2014/12/22/how-to-donate-bitcoin-to-charity-and-get-a-big-tax-deduction/
Bitcoin: How the Charity RNLI is Using the Virtual Currency
http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2014/sep/10/bitcoins-rnli-charity-donations-digital-currency
Fidelity Charitable Now Accepts Bitcoins
Fidelity Charitable, the second-largest nonprofit fund-raiser in the country, is allowing its donors to contribute bitcoins to their giving accounts.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/11/18/fidelity-charitable-opens-doors-bitcoin-giving/6AuPRn8ffZhcnanKtNmFoO/story.html
How Bitcoin is Used in Combatting Ebola
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.
Some Links on Virtual Currency
How to Donate Bitcoin to Charity and Get a Big Tax Deduction
http://www.forbes.com/sites/janetnovack/2014/12/22/how-to-donate-bitcoin-to-charity-and-get-a-big-tax-deduction/
Bitcoin: How the Charity RNLI is Using the Virtual Currency
http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2014/sep/10/bitcoins-rnli-charity-donations-digital-currency
Fidelity Charitable Now Accepts Bitcoins
Fidelity Charitable, the second-largest nonprofit fund-raiser in the country, is allowing its donors to contribute bitcoins to their giving accounts.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/11/18/fidelity-charitable-opens-doors-bitcoin-giving/6AuPRn8ffZhcnanKtNmFoO/story.html
How Bitcoin is Used in Combatting Ebola
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/policysocial-context/25218-bitcoin-used-in-combatting-ebola.html
An Advocate Article: "Bitcoin: It's Time for Canadian Nonprofits to Take Notice"
http://www.afpnet.org/ResourceCenter/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=27396
A History of Bitcoin's Ups and Downs
http://www.wired.com/2011/11/mf_bitcoin/
A Detailed Bitcoin Primer
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/3igq2a/rbitcoin_faq_newcomers_please_read/
An Advocate Article: "Bitcoin: It's Time for Canadian Nonprofits to Take Notice"
http://www.afpnet.org/ResourceCenter/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=27396
A History of Bitcoin's Ups and Downs
http://www.wired.com/2011/11/mf_bitcoin/
A Detailed Bitcoin Primer
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/3igq2a/rbitcoin_faq_newcomers_please_read/
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