[Drew]

Dan, your list of places where obligations can be hidden is quite helpful. My approach is fairly simple, but I find it reliable. When an award arrives, I go through the document carefully and highlight every “shall”, “must”, and relevant table row. I then create a simple tracker with three columns: task, owner, and deadline. Any relative deadlines are converted into actual dates straight away. One area that can be easily overlooked is amendments. When the budget changes, the tracker should be reviewed and updated as well. It takes a little time for each award, but I think the clarity it provides is worthwhile.

[Drew]

Kathryn’s stop-work order idea could certainly be useful in some situations, although it might be a little strong as a first step. I think a gentler approach can sometimes work better. Start with an email to the contract manager and ask if they can confirm the expected payment date in writing. It can also help to explain that your team needs the funds before committing to venue deposits or travel costs. Offering a revised timeline before they request one may make the conversation easier. If the delay continues, you can consider escalating the matter. Starting on a warm and cooperative note often helps.

[Drew]

The accounting side is probably where things become a little complicated. From what I have seen, cryptocurrency is generally treated as property for tax purposes, rather like shares. This means the value is usually recorded when the donation is received, rather than when it is eventually converted to cash.
Platforms such as The Giving Block and BitPay can help with conversion and reduce some of the volatility and security concerns. There can still be setup and transaction costs, so I would check the pricing carefully before choosing one.
As for the future, I think cryptocurrency will remain a useful niche option. It may not be necessary for every nonprofit, but it could be worth considering if your supporters are comfortable with digital assets.

[Drew]

Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud is an interesting option, although some organisations may find it more than they need. I have also come across Bloomerang and Raiser’s Edge, and each has its own strengths.
For me, good activity tracking is essential. Being able to see emails, calls, donations, and other interactions in one donor record makes it much easier to maintain a personal relationship.
I would also clean up your existing data before choosing a platform. It can save considerable trouble later. Getting someone from finance involved early is sensible too, since they may notice integration issues that others overlook.

[Drew]

<div>Beyond overhead, I find indicators such as the program expense ratio and liquidity worth considering when assessing financial health. The right benchmarks can vary depending on the organisation and its mission, so I would avoid relying on a single percentage. Looking at reserves, debt levels and the diversity and stability of revenue can provide a broader picture. Together, these measures can say quite a bit about an organisation’s financial resilience.</div>

I second @Callum suggestion of tools such as Pactman Nonprofit Check Plus API. It would really make verification a lot easier.

• This reply was modified 1 month ago by  Drew.