For government funding, the standard project features in QuickBooks Online may prove insufficient when compliance requirements become more complex. A more robust solution, such as Sage Intacct, is often discussed for its stronger grant tracking capabilities. The initial setup requires careful consideration of reporting needs. I hope this… Read more

This is a delicate matter. Taking on debt to fund a salary carries significant risk. The organization should have a clear and achievable plan for generating the revenue needed for repayment. Without a strong strategy, the financial burden can become difficult to manage. It may be wiser to first establish a solid development foundation before… Read more

There are some interesting questions here, Mark. I would keep an eye on recurring giving because crowdfunding can be a good way to introduce people to an organisation. Rural communities can also respond well when the story feels close to home. AI can help with drafting and scheduling, but building donor trust is still very much a human job. That… Read more

Thanks for bringing these questions together, Mark. Donor retention seems to sit quietly underneath quite a few of the issues raised. Small, regular contact can be more effective than appearing once a year with a large request. Smaller charities can manage this without specialist staff if responsibilities are shared. A simple spreadsheet and… Read more

Hello, Kelle. While I am not a lawyer, I would lean strongly towards this being a shared board responsibility. The treasurer may provide financial oversight, but every board member should understand the reports, ask questions, and take their stewardship responsibilities seriously. A healthy culture of transparency makes this much easier. Relying… Read more

Hello. This is one of those questions where there is no universal answer. I think asking donors to cover transaction fees can work if the option is clearly explained and remains voluntary. Some donors will happily do it because they want more of their intended gift to reach the charity. However, it can make smaller donations feel unnecessarily… Read more

This survey looks quite intriguing. The focus on an ecosystem approach to programme design is certainly an interesting take, particularly when organisations can so easily become stuck in their own silos. I will take a look at the questions. Ultimately, the value of research like this depends on how well its insights translate into the real world.… Read more

Michael, I admire the proactive approach to staff welfare in such a difficult situation. At this stage, financial decisions shift from growth to stewardship and fulfilling outstanding obligations. The board needs a clear picture of what is owed to staff, creditors, and others, along with any remaining reporting requirements. Having a proper plan… Read more

For nonprofits that need to verify an organization’s status before donations, grants, or partnerships, how would you compare using the Nonprofit Check Plus API with checking the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search manually? Which approach would make for a more practical workflow, and why?

Under accrual accounting, deferred revenue may be appropriate when the organisation has not yet earned the full amount. Recognising everything upfront could distort the results for both the current and future years. Keeping the timing clear can make financial reporting much easier to understand.

I would probably keep these responsibilities separate. A board treasurer is generally better placed to provide oversight than to handle routine bookkeeping. Having the same person reviewing and entering transactions can make internal controls harder to maintain. Keeping the treasurer focused on reviewing reports and financial oversight seems like… Read more

Linking salary increases to a three-year average exchange rate sounds reasonable, but local inflation and cost of living are also important factors. In my view, a market-based approach, perhaps using local housing or salary benchmarks, could provide a fairer picture. An Employer of Record may also be able to provide useful country-specific data.… Read more

Keeping hard copies of every past grant application can quickly take up a surprising amount of space. From my perspective, electronic storage is generally a practical option unless a funder specifically requires paper originals. A well-organised cloud folder with clear naming and retention rules can make documents much easier to find when needed.

The dip in donations is a bit concerning, though a fantastic opportunity is often undervalued. We have gotten a bit lazy talking at people rather than with them. What I think will be best is genuine relationship building and intentionality with every supporter. The outcome usually involves more consistent funding and advocates if we listen well.

Based on my experience with donor databases, the boss’s approach misses the relationship. Thanking only the administrator is like thanking the postman for a birthday card. Hard credit the fund, soft credit the individual, and send a warm personal note to the donor who directed the gift. Just skip tax-deductible language and benefits talk to keep…

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I think overhead percentage is only one small part of the picture. Reserves, revenue diversity, debt, cash flow and transparency can tell donors much more about financial resilience. I’d also look at whether the numbers make sense alongside the organisation’s mission and activities.

This is a good read. You may want to include these two perspectives in your next conversation:

8. Treat social media as a donor journey, not just a traffic source

Social media should not simply send visitors to a nonprofit’s homepage. Each campaign should guide people toward a specific next step of donating, volunteering, signing up, attending an…

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Jordan, I know that manual verification grind well. API solutions like Nonprofit Check Plus or CharityAPI can verify EIN and tax status instantly, often with a free tier.

Michael, this is a worrying catch. I have always just pointed people to the IRS sample policy, assuming it was a safe template. Now I feel a bit silly for it.

The distinction between “interested person” and “disqualified person” is subtle but important.

Thanks for sharing. It has genuinely made me rethink my own advice.

It is so hard to know who to trust just from social media.

My personal rule of thumb is to check the IRS tool first to confirm they are legit. Then I look at Charity Navigator to see how much of my money actually goes to the programmes, not admin. That is usually the deciding factor for me.

It takes a few minutes, but it gives me real peace of mind.