There are some good questions here, Jeff. With an incorporated project, the relationship between its board and the fiscal sponsor needs to be clearly documented. The agreement should cover finances, employees, cheque handling, and what happens when the arrangement ends. Mission alignment matters too, although the two organisations do not…

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Outsourcing can make quite a difference when finding experienced finance staff becomes difficult. Bookkeeping and payroll seem easier to hand over, while financial strategy and board reporting need closer involvement. I would ask who actually handles the work, expected turnaround times, and how quality is checked. The February 25 session should… Read more

Hello Caroline. I agree with Wade that releasing a restriction is generally a reclassification rather than a change in total net assets. In simple terms, the amount moves from restricted net assets into the appropriate unrestricted category once the restriction has been satisfied. The organisation’s total net assets do not change simply because of…

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Hello John. For me, the key to a good expense policy is making the rules clear enough that nobody has to become a detective afterwards. I would strongly consider a per diem for meals. It reduces the mountain of receipts and saves everyone considerable administrative time. Using company cards for flights and hotels can also provide better control…

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When a new grant arrives, the obligation should be captured as soon as the award is formally accepted. The important thing is to record the award and its conditions properly rather than simply waiting for the cash to reach the bank. Depending on the accounting framework and grant terms, this may involve accounts such as grant receivables or… Read more

Checking your organisation’s status with the relevant state authorities and the IRS is a worthwhile habit. The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool can help confirm important details and identify potential concerns. I would set a recurring calendar reminder rather than relying on memory. Keeping copies of filings, confirmations, and other c… Read more

An advantage of the Nonprofit Check Plus API is consistency. An API can apply the same verification process every time. This reduces differences that may occur when staff manually search and interpret IRS records. This can make nonprofit verification easier to standardize across teams and workflows.

With family coverage, finding a fair approach can sometimes be challenging, particularly for smaller agencies. One option is to set the employer contribution at a consistent percentage and allow staff to cover any difference voluntarily. This can make the arrangement easier to understand. A lifestyle spending account for non-medical benefits could…

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Fixed government contracts can make short-term salary increases difficult to manage. A phased, multi-year approach, communicated clearly from the beginning, could provide a more realistic path forward. Small annual increases might be possible by adjusting other budget areas, alongside targeted fundraising for the specific goal. In my view, being… Read more

For a growing nonprofit of that size, I would consider community banks or credit unions alongside larger institutions. They can sometimes offer more personalised service, while networks such as CDARS or ICS may provide options for managing larger deposits across participating institutions. I would look for a banking partner that understands… Read more

Based on my experience with volunteer management, a simple spreadsheet can be a good starting point for tracking volunteer hours and calculating their fair market value for grant reporting. You could then pair this with a basic donor management system such as Bloomerang or DonorPerfect for contributions. A clear written policy that separates… Read more

I’ve found that the best CRM is usually the one your team will actually use consistently. For me, good reporting, sensible donor segmentation, integrations, and an API that plays nicely with other tools are crucial. Every platform has quirks, so I’d suggest testing real workflows before committing. The demos can be rather charming!

I’d be cautious about applying a blanket seven-year rule to everything. Retention requirements can differ depending on the record, tax rules, employment matters, safeguarding, and jurisdiction. I’d create a simple retention schedule with counsel, then securely get rid off what genuinely isn’t required.

I’d lean towards releasing the restriction as the qualifying construction costs are incurred, rather than waiting until the building is placed in service. The donor’s wording is important here, so I’d review the gift agreement carefully. I’d also confirm the treatment with your accountant and check the relevant FASB guidance, particularly ASC 958-205.

I think staying connected and informed is especially important when funding policies are changing. Nonprofits sharing their experiences with organisations like NCN can help ensure policy discussions reflect real challenges on the ground. It also gives organisations a useful way to prepare for further developments.

I too am curious how others handle post-award reporting across finance, grants, and programme teams. A short survey could be useful for gathering practical experiences. It would also be interesting to hear what tools or processes organisations currently use.

I’d probably use the actual manufacturing cost rather than the retail price. The retail price represents what the books might sell for, while the manufacturing cost reflects what the organisation actually spent. I’d still confirm the treatment with your accountant.

Calculate your overhead rate (total annual overhead ÷ total billable hours). Add that to staff wages and direct costs (meals, rentals). That gives your break-even floor. Then compare with market rates and adjust for your mission.

The new rules apply to nonprofits too. Starting in 2026, most employer-provided meals, including working lunches, are no longer deductible as a business expense.
Yes, running it through payroll is the primary workaround. If the meal’s value is included in an employee’s taxable income and reported on their W-2, you can deduct it fully as compensation.

Mark, great breakdown. The core theme: a windfall tests strategic maturity, not luck.

Avoid the cliff. Treat it as growth capital to build systems and revenue streams that outlast the gift, not as a budget patch.