In mid-October of this year, Israel’s Registrar of Charities issued “10 Golden Rules for Donors” (Hebrew). While the document is meant as a guideline for individuals, it holds immense value for the Israel’s charities, as well.
Below are The 10 Golden Rules (in English) and its implications for nonprofits operating in Israel.
The word fashla is Hebrew colloquial for “screw-up”. And yes, even your accountant, an Israeli charity’s best friend, can make a few.
As a banker I see this particular slip-up more often than you think. Here are two ways to avoid your accountant inadvertently putting your organization in the red.
On August 2nd, I attended a lecture organized by the Jerusalem Web Professionals (JWP) and given over by appSTUDIO on “Making Your Website Mobile in 2011.” The embedded 5 minute video is an edited version of my after-session interview with some of the consultants that attended the event and the experts from appSTUDIO; including answers to the 5 Questions Every Nonprofit Needs to Ask When Considering Developing an App.
I recently read an article that argued that the “fundraising process itself, in particular, donor relationship building, is program building, and not just the means to an ends.” This got me thinking that there are other activities besides fundraising that…
Once again, the Israeli nonprofit organization Magan David Adom (MDA) and it’s American supporting charity, American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA), are in the news after all five members of AFMDA’s executive board resigned, stating that they “refuse to abdicate or compromise in any way our fiduciary duty to AFMDA and its donors.”
First, allow me to say that writing this piece is painful; it is disturbing (to put it mildly) that an organization that has such a positive impact on Israel’s daily life is getting such negative press.
Two, which side is right or wrong is of secondary importance. Regardless how the situation plays out in the near or distant future, organizations can learn RIGHT NOW from the very public debates raging between the American and Israeli arms.
Specifically, the core issues — defining roles, trust, independence, and personnel — are the same faced by all international organizations, and, as such, can provide a constructive case-study for nonprofits, their board members, and their donors.
The fiscal requirements of an American charity have become more complicated in recent years. Increased scrutiny from the IRS, more intricate tax documentation, the recent economic crisis, and donors’ need for transparency, are just a few of the challenges facing the sector. When a charity operates internationally these difficulties are only exacerbated. These global organizations are expected to be familiar with regional and global charity regulations, comfortable working in foreign languages and cultures, able to cope with inherent increased expenses, and capable of forging new relationships – all while maintaining a high level of accountability.
A powerful tool in helping a “Friends of” organization cope is an additional account abroad in the country in which it operates. When used to its potential, this kind of account is invaluable.