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

The world of endowments can sometimes feel like trying to understand quantum physics. This piece makes a strong case for flexibility over the traditional idea of forever, which I found refreshing. The comparison between true and term endowments is particularly clear and raises an important question about whether permanent endowments are always the… Read more

Mark, thanks for sharing this. It is an interesting look at how accounting can influence an organisation’s reputation and perceived legitimacy. The section on the “starvation cycle” is particularly thought-provoking, showing how an obsession with keeping overhead low can actually undermine effectiveness. It is a good reminder that there is plenty… Read more

It was a real trial by fire, was it not? Many organisations without reserves had to scramble for survival, often relying on bridge loans or aggressive cost-cutting. For those with reserves, the pandemic demonstrated their value as a financial lifeline. What I took away from it is that having money set aside, even a modest amount, is not simply a… Read more

It is a tricky situation, and the answer is probably a definite maybe. If the grantor is silent, you need a reasonable spending schedule that aligns with the programme’s objectives and the terms of the grant. Using everything in year one could raise questions about planning and sustainability. I would suggest creating a budget timeline and seeking… Read more

Getting your head around the ERTC can feel a bit like having a first date with the tax code. The webinar sounds like a wise move, as the finer details can trip up even experienced professionals. One important point, as I understand it, is making sure you are not claiming wages that were already covered by PPP forgiveness. Think of them as separate… Read more

Ah, the classic DAF attribution puzzle. Many organisations get caught up in this, and it can feel like navigating a labyrinth. If you credit the individual, you risk misrepresenting the legal source when those grant letters arrive. The DAF sponsor is generally the legal donor for tax and audit purposes. I would suggest using a note field for… Read more

I saw the recent discussion here about post-award grant reporting. I’m trying to understand a narrower step that happens earlier: when a new award arrives, how do its actual obligations get into whatever system you use to track them?<div>Before I go further I want to check the workflow with people who actually do it, because I think I may have the… Read more

Thank you for asking. Restricted fund accounting is one topic I would put near the top of the list, especially when an organisation is juggling several grants at once. A practical session on tracking grant expenses and preparing reports could be quite valuable. I would also welcome something on indirect costs and recent Single Audit requirements.… Read more

That is a tricky one. Paying staff every two weeks can be convenient, particularly where there are hourly employees, but it also means two additional payroll runs each year. Giving managers an extra week for approvals could make the process considerably calmer. Personally, I would favour that option because the schedule remains straightforward… Read more

The main risk is that these unusually favourable arrangements can disappear when local politics or budgets change. An organisation could then face the rather awkward task of finding affordable space at short notice. I would keep a small reserve fund for that possibility and make sure the agreement includes clear termination terms. Maintaining… Read more

Local accounting firms, retired finance professionals, and business networks can be good places to look. Many professionals are willing to contribute their expertise when the cause aligns with their interests. I would clearly explain the role, responsibilities, and expected time commitment before approaching candidates. Local nonprofit… 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.

I would say the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search is useful for one-off verification, but it can become time-consuming when checking multiple organizations. The Nonprofit Check Plus API offers a more practical workflow by allowing verification to be integrated directly into donation, grant, or partnership systems. For organizations handling…

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I believe every organization has a means that works for them. For mine, we verify our nonprofit status periodically through official IRS records and keep track of required filings and compliance deadlines. We also use tools such as the Nonprofit Check Plus API to streamline status verification and catch potential issues early, helping us maintain…

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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?

I have always thought a nonprofit can be doing great work while overlooking an important compliance detail that puts its tax-exempt status at risk. How does your organization verify that its nonprofit status is still active and in good standing, and what tools or resources do you use to make verification easier?

Based on what I have seen, local CPA associations and accounting firms can be excellent starting points. Try contacting their community engagement teams and asking whether they can circulate a board opportunity among staff or retired members. LinkedIn can also help you approach finance directors directly. A clear role description should explain… Read more

A $1 lease sounds rather lovely, but there can still be strings attached. The arrangement could change if the property owner’s circumstances or priorities change, so having a backup plan would be wise. I would also make sure the agreement clearly covers maintenance, termination, and renewal. Keeping some financial breathing room could make an u…

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From what I have seen, seven years is often used for financial and tax records, although requirements can vary. Childcare records can be a different matter, particularly attendance, health information, and staff documentation. I would separate governance and financial records from student and personnel files. Keeping properly organized digital… Read more

Yes, fundraising for a particular event can work, provided the appeal is clear about where the money will go. If donors are told their contributions are specifically for the gala, there may be restrictions on how those funds are spent. I would include a short statement explaining what happens to any surplus. That small detail can prevent an…

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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… Read more

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 e… Read more

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

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

That is an interesting point, Kristin. Pass-through funds can appear on the Form 990, depending on the circumstances and the organisation’s role in handling them. The agency relationship is particularly important because funds received on behalf of others may not necessarily be treated as the organisation’s own revenue. A clear note explaining the… Read more

AI can be particularly useful for grant writing drafts and sorting routine donor emails, which can save quite a bit of time. The main thing is to review its output carefully, as AI can sometimes produce inaccurate information. Data privacy also deserves careful attention, especially with sensitive nonprofit information. I would automate routine… Read more

When looking at nonprofit finances, overhead ratios tell only a fraction of the story. I think it is worth considering operating reserves, revenue diversity, and whether the organisation publishes clear annual reports. Donors may also learn more by looking at unrestricted cash flow rather than focusing too heavily on administrative percentages.… Read more

When considering nonprofit tech stacks, the sheer number of platforms can feel rather overwhelming. I would start with a simple list of what you actually need before chasing shiny integrations. Things tend to work better when leadership has a clear direction, because even good software cannot resolve an unclear strategy. Peer communities like this… Read more

A solid volunteer policy can start with clear role definitions and a simple tracking spreadsheet or lightweight CRM. For FMV rates, the Independent Sector publishes annual guidance that many organisations find useful. It may also be worth pairing this with a straightforward gift acceptance policy for contributions handled by volunteers. The… Read more

This is a thoughtful set of questions, and in my experience with membership models, the key is creating genuine community value rather than simply adding clever pricing tiers. Starting with a small, committed group and growing gradually can make the process more manageable. Simple, consistent communication is also easy to overlook, but honest… Read more

For a nonprofit at that scale, I would look beyond traditional banks and compare institutions that understand nonprofit cash management. I would also prioritize options that can help diversify deposits and manage funds efficiently while staying within FDIC insurance rules.

You can start by automating the first verification layer rather than trying to automate the entire compliance process. The IRS already provides searchable nonprofit status, Form 990 filings, determination letters, and revocation data. If you connect those checks to a workflow, it can eliminate a lot of repetitive manual research.

I completely agree. A polished social media presence is evidence of marketing, not proof of legitimacy. The IRS itself recommends checking a nonprofit’s tax-exempt status, eligibility to receive deductible contributions, and filings through its Tax Exempt Organization Search. For donors who want to make this process faster, APIs can come in h…

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From what I have seen, gradually releasing a restriction as construction milestones are completed can be a good approach, provided the gift terms and accounting guidance support it. The timing should be based on the specific restriction and applicable accounting requirements rather than waiting automatically until the building is fully in service.… Read more

That is an interesting point, and the narrower definition of an “interested person” in a sample policy could potentially create gaps. In my view, it may be worth reviewing the policy against the broader “disqualified person” definition under Section 4958 and tailoring it to the organisation’s circumstances. For healthcare organisations in partic…

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To me, this essay makes a fair point. When a smaller group of very wealthy donors carries an increasing share of the fundraising burden, it can be difficult to sustain over the long term. There is value in finding ways to make giving feel accessible and meaningful to a broader range of people. A healthier giving culture should ideally include…

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What an interesting discussion. In my experience, choosing the right finance stack comes down to separating the essential features from the nice-to-have ones. The best combination will depend on the organisation’s size, budget and technical capacity. For many small to medium nonprofits, tools such as QuickBooks Online, Divvy and Martus could p… Read more