Donors are using their business tactics and strategy to choose the charities and projects in which they get involved; an increasing trend that has received even more attention since Dan Pollotta’s TED talk.

So I thought it was fortuitous that I was invited to attend a conference for new financial start-ups, essentially a chance to listen to the concerns and foci of investors. After all, donors’ logic dictates that the same tactics should apply to both their for-profit and nonprofit investments.

After listening to the advice offered by the various speakers, I can say that opponents to the changing nonprofit landscape should stop bemoaning the ruining of the charitable sector by the business tactics of today’s “venture philanthropists.”  In addition to understanding donors, there is much to be learned from the for-profit sector.

Here are 9 tips offered to businesses at the conference that nonprofits should internalize, as well:  

Tip #1 – Outsource Less

To Businesses: “While it might be cheaper to outsource many back-office activities, having these menial tasks done in-house present a more established company to investors.”

Applications for Charities:

In my experience, there are two types of outsourcing for nonprofits: administrative and fundraising.  While administrative outsourcing or conglomerates can be a useful thing, fundraising can be tricky.

Outsourcing fundraising refers to the use of fiscal sponsors or intermediaries to raise funds.  Essentially, checks are being written to a name other than the intended charity.  While many factors can be used to judge the effectiveness of fiscal sponsors or the like, it has been argued that raising funds through another organization dilutes a charity’s name recognition and presents the organization as more amateurish.

As a matter of fact, many consultants and seasoned fundraisers will decide whether to establish an “American Friends” supporting charity in the United States based on this last criteria and not on any financial incentives.

Tip #2 – Voluntary Registration with the SEC

To Businesses: “While many firms do not need to register with the SEC [Security Exchange Commission] or other government watchdogs, it was suggested that voluntary registration can certainly show investors that a company takes itself seriously.”

Applications for Charities:

Whether in the States or in Israel, there are organizations that are either exempt from or can opt out of certain registration or reporting requirements.

One of the best examples of this, is houses of worship in the America, who are exempt from filing the dreaded 990.

In Israel, the two “main” certifications that a charity can receive are the Nihul Takin [Certificate of Proper Management] from the Registrar of Charities) and Seif 46 [tax-deductible status] from the Tax Authority.  While much can be said for not applying for tax-deductibility status (read my previous article), the extra filing to obtain the Nihul Takin seems to always be worth it as many institutional donors expect to see it and the government themselves views this certificate as the litmus test for proper management.

Tip #3 – Third-Party Verification

To Businesses: “Investors always feel better when a company has a third party checking their numbers. And yes, sometimes this costs money.  But do it anyway.”

Applications for Charities:

Charities have a few ways that they can verify their numbers: impact measurement and charity ratings.

Whether it’s business tactics or limited funding for the nonprofit sector, in general, the need for impact measurement has become clear (though the source of financing this research has inspired many an article).

Charity rating have been in existence for years, though here too the exact nature of the ratings is also a source a great debate.  The evolution of Charity Navigator, for example, is the perfect test case for this challenge.  With that said, many seem to agree that it helps to have someone’s stamp of approval — and there are more rating sites for charities to choose from every year.

(It is interesting to note that in Israel, there is only one organization that rates nonprofits, Middot, whose business model has Israeli charities paying for the evaluation.  Not only has this financing model not caught on but 2012 saw a big backlash to some of Middot’s joint initiatives with the government — the subject of another piece altogether).

Here too, with charities’ “mismanagement” of funds making the headlines every month, third-party verification is continually playing a more important role.

Tip #4 – Simplicity

To Businesses: “The more complicated your market strategy the harder it is to explain to investors.”

Application for Charities:

Where to start?!

With increased competition in the nonprofit world, it is critical for charities to distinguish themselves from other organizations and highlight their added-value.

• Internally, nonprofits and their employees must understand their mission, what Guy Kawasaki refers to as the company’s mantra.
• Externally, the nonprofit needs to ensure that all their programs and PR are sending the same messages.  A nonprofit engaged in mission creep or sending mixed signals presents a watered-down identity.

Tip #5 – Manage Risk

To Businesses: “We care about good risk managers.”

Applications for Charities:

In the for-profit world risk-taking is an understood part of doing business and an integral part of business strategy.  Navigating risk is much more important than avoiding risk — avoiding risk entirely robs a business venture of potential revenue streams.

In the nonprofit world, risk appears in a number of forms: programmatic risk, proper due diligence, and embezzlement, to name a few.  While the possible tools and tests available to donors and charities are too numerous to even begin to list, it boils down to one thing: a properly functioning board of directors.

A well-run board will not only help avoid most pitfalls, but it is also the first thing (and sometimes the only thing) that many donors inspect.  (Example: A Healthy Board Imbues Trust with Potential Donors.)

Tip #6 – Don’t Reinvent the Wheel

To Businesses: “You Don’t Need to Reinvent the Wheel.”

Applications for Charities:

New charities are formed every day based on the tenet that it can be done differently or better than previously before.  (Need a I mention, “innovation?”)

While proving uniqueness and value is critical, not every aspect of the business model needs to be one-of-a-kind.  Building on previous proven methodology is a great way to save money and time.

Tip #7 – Educate Investors

To Businesses: “Educate investors.”

Applications for Charities:

Take nothing for granted.

Donors don’t necessarily see the need, appreciate the subtleties, nor value organizational priorities. And they won’t unless an organization decides to explain it to them.  (This is why G-d invented  fundraisers and PR experts.)

An axiom in the nonprofit sector states that donors will only give when asked.  True.  Just as importantly: donors will give more when they understand.  

Tip #8 – Always Preserve Your Reputation

To Businesses: “Play by the rules. Your reputation is all you have.”

Application for Charities:

• Innovation is great…but in a controlled environment.  When a new project or donation has the potential to call into question the entire organization then it isn’t worth it. Stay far away.
• When Murphy’s Law rears its ugly head – whether as a scandal, foe pa, or a simple typo – respond quickly.  Don’t let others dictate the conversation surrounding your reputation.  (Example: No News is NOT Good News: What Went Wrong with Komen for the Cure.)

Tip #9 – The Buck Stops Here

To Businesses: “Due diligence questionnaires should be filled out by the CEO.”

Application for Charities:

Nothing exists in a vacuum.

In order for any new initiative or fundraising effort to succeed, it must have the support (and sometimes the active help) of the top brass.  Staff and volunteers look to the leaders as personal examples.  If it ain’t flowing from the top, it won’t get far.

CONCLUSION

Jim Collins said that “Great business corporations share more in common with great social sector organizations than they share with mediocre businesses.”

Instead of focusing of the differences between the two types of corporations, more attention should be given to the similarities.  And if donors are more business-thinking then so be it.  There is plenty to learn and apply from businesses.

Though, if we’re already quoting Collins then I’ll end off with this: “Social sector organizations increasingly look to business for leadership models and talent, yet I suspect we will find more true leadership in social sectors that the business sector.”

A little off the topic but I couldn’t resist.

Keep an open mind and tizku lemitzvot,

Shuey

Disclaimer:  This blog houses my personal opinions and is for informational purposes only — not advice. As charity laws can be quite complex and ever-changing, please refer all questions to qualified and licensed professionals.  Read the full disclaimer.

Photo courtesy of Ijiwaru Jimbo (Flickr)

Two recent articles by Stephen Donshik have crystallized why board members need to stay objective.

1. Bylaws sometimes allow for board members to receive remuneration for attending meetings.  Payments of any amount, however, erase the status of “volunteer,” essentially, destroying what the organization was hoping to achieve when it recruited this individual.  
2. Additionally, a board member can potentially win contracts from the organization in which he serves. However, this person is then tasked with critiquing his own work, a near-impossibility.

Even with the best of intentions, losing objectivity weakens the board’s ability to accomplish its primary task of governance.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey

EXPRESSDEPOSIT’s are a new feature to the site, offering 100 WORDS OR LESS on funding, finance, trends, and best practices relating to Israel’s global nonprofit sector.

Photo courtesy of Huskyte77 (Flickr)

Here are links to the articles I’ve reviewed and posted to Twitter recently.  This week’s topics include: Jewish & Israel Sectors • NP Strategy • Funding, Budgeting & Impact • Philanthropy • Internet & Social Media • Boards • Op-Eds

As always, you can stay up-to-date with these articles and more by following me on Twitter or subscribing to receive The Nonprofit Banker by email.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey
@nonprofitbanker

JEWISH & ISRAEL SECTORS

NonProfitBanker: New post >> Future Trends in Israel’s Nonprofit Sector: A Review of the Top Headlines in 2012 ow.ly/1RCQF9

NonProfitBanker: The authors of this eJPhil post on Jewish innovation shouldn’t worry too much about funding ow.ly/1RX3Ao I’m the 3rd comment

NP STRATEGY

Exciting. NAFund is using profitability-impact matrix to improve upon their already gr8 work ow.ly/1RQpQz // can you use it too?

5 Things That an Eventful 2012 Taught Charities ow.ly/1RI8eo on Philanthropy via GTak

10 resolutions to bring your Social Venture to success ow.ly/1RZWcm via GTak

FUNDING, BUDGETING & IMPACT

Why Impact Sourcing is easier to implement than Impact Investing (Yes, there is a dif) ow.ly/hnBG4 by DaveBatstone on SSIReview

Bold statement >> Social Impact Investing Will Be the New Venture Capital ow.ly/1RXL4C on HarvardBiz via GTak

You realize how hard measuring impact is only after this article ow.ly/1RS9WT by andrew_zolli on SSIReview

The value of strategic financial leadership ow.ly/1RSGN9 on NAFund // sounds important enough that I might read it again

The funder’s mantra >> Those affected by a problem have to help define the solution ow.ly/1RVECZ from p2173

PHILANTHROPY

VERY important >> Philanthropy: Wealthy Young Donors Push Charities to Show Results ow.ly/1RFaeK via GailPerrync

Strategic philanthropy has a new name – Entrepreneurial Philanthropy – & 6 clear steps ow.ly/1RRrEX on SSIReview

A Case Study in Getting Nonprofit Fundraising Right ow.ly/1RSvbJ from nedgington

8 questions to make your philanthropy be more strategic ow.ly/1RHqwx via eJPhil

SOCIAL MEDIA & INTERNET

Thanx Fundraisinisfun I’m a Google+ Communities believer…almost. He makes a great argument ow.ly/1RTVD8

Can’t argue w/ the numbers >> 5 Reasons Why a Nonprofit Should Prioritize the Mobile Web NOW ow.ly/hqK6h by NonprofitOrgs

BOARDS

I’ve seen these ex w/ more than a few of my clients » Ethical Dilemmas connected w/ Nonprofit Boards ow.ly/1RX4dm on eJPhil

What 2 talk about at nonprofit board meetings? (hint: it should only be 1 thing) ow.ly/1S5SEP on npquarterly via GTak

OP-EDs

Liberating 990 Data ow.ly/1RSxrL on p2173 // amen to that!

Can the Circular Economy save our planet? (& produce nice revenues too?) blogs.hbr.org/cs/2013/01/is_… on HarvardBiz via katyaN4G

]]> http://nonprofitbanker.com/weekly-roundup/weekly-roundup-february-10/feed/ 0 http://nonprofitbanker.com/regulations/israel-regulations/trends-to-look-for-in-2013-a-review-of-the-top-stories-that-affected-israels-nonprofit-sector/ http://nonprofitbanker.com/regulations/israel-regulations/trends-to-look-for-in-2013-a-review-of-the-top-stories-that-affected-israels-nonprofit-sector/#comments Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:37:11 +0000 http://nonprofitbanker.com/?p=3320 Read more →

The following is a “nice” story.  An example of a charity’s CEO showing fiscal responsibility and financial leadership.  It is the kind of story we all-to-often don’t hear about as the media chooses to focus more on misleading reports about the lack of financial know-how in nonprofit organizations rather than on organizations that “get it.”

Recently, I had the pleasure of getting together with the aforementioned strategic CEO for coffee.

Two year ago, this female colleague applied for an Executive Director (ED) position at a particular charity knowing that the organization was facing a 500 thousand shekel (approximately $130 thousand) deficit. After about nine months on the job, the nonprofit was back on track and on the road to a surplus for the following year.

What was this ED’s technique and how could other nonprofits benefit from her experience?  

To put things in perspective, the organization’s budget was 1.5m shekel or $385k. This means that the impending deficit stood at approximately 30% of the charity’s budget. Yikes.

This ED’s financial challenge was twofold:

1. Entering the position at the beginning of the fourth quarter, she first had to make sure the organization finished the year without a deficit.
2. In the slightly longer term, she needed to return the charity to sustainability.

I asked this ED to delineate on some of the key decisions that helped get the organization back on track and that might be of assistance  to nonprofits facing a similar budget crisis:

1) A Deficit Isn’t a Temporary Problem

Credit of any sort is only a band-aid that doesn’t address the source of the budget problem. Budget problems require budget solutions – expenditures must be adjusted for reduced income.   Even meeting next year’s budget does not solve a current year’s cash crunch.  Expenses need to be cut, even if only temporarily.

2) Cutting Staff is Sometimes the Hardest but Quickest Solution

There was no avoiding the fact that more than a third of the 1.5m shekel budget was comprised of salaries. With only four months left until the end of the fiscal year and facing a 500k shekel deficit, drastic action was required. The quickest way to address the organization’s insolvency problem was to reduce the staff, which it did,shrinking to a staff of two from a staff of five.  The hope was that the reduction would be temporary until the charity once again stabilized the budget.

3) Get the Board on Board

The director was quite explicit that she couldn’t have pulled off the recovery by herself; the board of director’s support was critical. The board was very aware of the precarious financial state of the charity and was looking for a CEO that was just as self-aware, willing to make the hard choices.  The board then supported the director 100% during the recovery period.

4) Be Patient When Re-Hiring Staff

The director made the decision to rehire back the staff to their original jobs only after (1) all debts were covered (2) funds for the reinstated budget were promised and (3) there were no cashflow problems in the horizon. (And in case you’re wondering, it has been seven months since the re-hiring and there have been no additional cashflow glitches.)

5) Government Grants Might Be Good for the Budget but are Bad for Cashflow

As of my coffee conversation, this charity had yet to accept any government grants. While secure in their funding (when an organization is accepted, of course), Israeli government grants arrive only after expenditures have been made and can wreak havoc for cashflow (see previous post, Israeli Government Grants: The Broken Promised Land). The CEO made the decision that having a more stable cashflow was better than extra padding for the budget. A serious consideration for charities with budgets below the 2 million shekel mark.

6) Understand the Benefits and Limitations of Funding Sources

To prevent future budget and cashflow problems, this director rethought the organization’s funding sources.  Specifically, in the future to rely more on smaller local (Israeli) funders and less on restricted funds.   While this approach diversified the sheer number of donors, making the organization less in danger should a supporter choose to pull out, the fundraising process was more labor intensive.  On the other hand, a more local approach allowed the organization to consider — and secure — in-kind donations, a source that had yet to be utilized.  It should be noted that the charity is a grassroots organization and this local-donor-approach appealed very much to its inherent character.

7) Prestige Can be Just as Important as Cash

The organization didn’t drop foreign grants altogether.  It was more strategic about whom it approached and secured a very well-known foundation grant.  More important that the money was the prestige associated with getting a grant from this particular foundation.  Simply receiving the grant opened doors with local foundations.  For this charity it was a double-win (money and connections) that made the pursuit of this foreign grant worth the effort.

While the next two items weren’t used to help this organization climb out of the hole, the director did tell me that these tips are critical to helping the charity stay on-track:

8) Create Two Budgets

Hope for the best but plan for the worst, or more accurately, the less-than-best.  The first plan reflects a fully funded budget and the full execution of the nonprofit’s activities.  The second plan reflects more modest expenditure should promised funds not materialize.  Essentially, this director was putting into practice what the Nonprofit Assistance Fund refers to as a Rolling Financial Projection (Paragraph 1.2).

9) Prepare Early

At the time of this meeting in early November, this CEO had more than 70% of the following year’s budget promised.  While this is a tad early, this is certainly the right thinking.  No organization wants to be caught fundraising to cover the current year’s expenses, ideally  not past the first quarter and most definitely not passed the second quarter.  Otherwise, the charity is forced to focus on immediate needs and incapable of developing a more long-term financial strategy.

While there is certainly no one-size-fits-all solution for financial management, these tips certainly strike me as a skeleton key capable of opening most doors.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey

Disclaimer:  This blog houses my personal opinions and is for informational purposes only — not advice. As charity laws can be quite complex and ever-changing, please refer all questions to qualified and licensed professionals.  Read the full disclaimer.

Photo courtesy of OneCog2Many (Flickr)

I’ve gotten emails from readers recently asking if my site has been on the fritz because they haven’t seen any recent Weekly Roundups. I’m happy to report that the sole reason I’ve been WAY out of touch is because on December 29th, my wife gave birth to our forth child, our first boy after three girls.  To put it mildly, my schedule is not my own.

Sorry for the tardiness, but I am officially back on track — so enjoy and keep the emails coming!

Here are links to the articles I’ve reviewed and posted to Twitter (yes, I’ve still been posting to Twitter) between December 12 – January 12, 2012.  This week’s topics include: U.S. Regulations • Jewish or Israel • Finance & Fiscal Health • Strategy & Governance • New Year Resolutions • Fundraising & Donor Strategy • Marketing & Branding • Corporate Culture • Social Media & Internet • Personal Development

As always, you can stay up-to-date with these articles and more by following me on Twitter or subscribing to receive The Nonprofit Banker by email.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey
@nonprofitbanker

U.S. REGULATIONS

Has your nonprofit filed w/ the State where it fundraises? Basics from @TonyMartignetti tony.ma/u966NF

RT @GTak: The Rise of the Charitable For-Profit Entity ow.ly/1EaJMn // hoping these lead 2 shift in thinking in other countries too

RT @GTak: IRS new online search tool for nonprofits & donors 1.usa.gov/xLkh3J

RT @DonKramer: Can a house of worship rent their facilities? Would it affect nonprofit status? bit.ly/bT1XAJ

RT @DonKramer: Can the Executive Director of a nonprofit fire a board member 4 disagreeing? bit.ly/wBiw83

JEWISH OR ISRAEL

In interesting trend of Jewish donors & the challenge to Jewish nonprofit orgs ow.ly/1DYYmA on @eJPhil

@NonprofitBanker: New Post: Israel Nonprofit Orgs Can (Begrudgingly) Now Use Credit Cards ow.ly/8Xs3V Progress?

FINANCE & FISCAL HEALTH

Packed PDF: Detecting & Preventing Fraud/Embezzlement in Your Nonprofit bit.ly/uVWgib by @VenableLLP via @Nonprofitslaw @GTak

RT @GTak: Beyond Financial Oversight: Expanding the Board’s Role in Pursuit of Sustainability ow.ly/1Cq1PN

RT @NAFund: Fiscal fitness is a great New Year’s resolution! ow.ly/8kEjj

8 key steps for Nonprofit Financial Leadership (thats right, didn’t say Management) ow.ly/1Ek0ZG via @NAFund

ABCs of Financial Oversight: Good review of the WHYs & HOWs of transparent reporting ow.ly/8ERmz on @eJPhil

What comes 1st, strategic planning 4 the future or financial sustainability 4 now? ow.ly/1FU9Qd on @eJPhil

STRATEGY & GOVERNANCE

RT @NAFund: A to Z Survival Guide for Uncertain Times via @fdncenter ow.ly/8228T

I hate learning lessons from disasters >> A Global Nonprofit Ponzi Scheme? Lessons from a Fiscal Sponsor’s Collapse ow.ly/91uk8

4 ingredients to keep your nonprofit connected to its mission statement ow.ly/1EdfiJ by @Cmcuesta via @npmaven

Tips from the trenches: Building a board & selling impact when launching a nonprofit ow.ly/8yIYr via @emilychan @FCNewYork

Uber comprehensive >> Legal & strategic look at having youth serve as board members ow.ly/1EEpuI by @emilychan 

Charities should trust themselves more & not jump on band wagon of “must-have” tools ow.ly/8EQs3 on @eJPhil

Using a Decision Matrix: the road to joyful decision-making, by @HildyGottlieb ow.ly/1F5Evf

42 pgs of thorough RT @emilychan: Strategic Volunteer Engagement – understand complexities & max advntgs @RGK_Center bit.ly/w8LaC6

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

RT @GTak: 5 [Optimistic] Nonprofit Trends to Watch in 2012, by @nedgington ow.ly/1C6Yxv

A potporri of new Year resolutions from various nonprofit personalities ow.ly/1DcTVw Compiled by @Philanthropy

Nonprofit Law Blog: Top 10 Events in ’11 ow.ly/8v3V3 from @emilychan @GTak via @FCAtlanta // like watching a movie in fastforward!

FUNDRAISING & DONOR STRATEGY

Proof that Donor Advised Funds aren’t just 4 evading taxes >> Fidelity Charitable has best yr ever ow.ly/1F3IWL via @dan_blakemore

RT @GailPerrync: How to throw an event/party that everyone wants to attend ow.ly/8tChp // Wow. I’m flying in for next year’s!

9 Ways Board Members Can Raise Money w/o Fundraising, by @nedgington ow.ly/1FaApQ via @NAFund

RT @GTak: Refining the Art of Giving: Donating to good causes has become a complex biz ow.ly/1BYuTI on @WSJ

Dif perspective, like Drucker RT @GTak: Branson: Screw Business As Usual & Make (Huge Piles Of) $$ By Doing Good ow.ly/1BHv9y

Excellent RT @p2173: Worth a read. The Trouble With Impact Investing – Part 1 on @SSIReview shar.es/fXTd4

R the giving priorities of wealthy Americans totally off? This author thinks so ow.ly/8GLRJ via @GuideStarUSA

Inspiring story of the ripple effect 1 charity can create (& the potential we all have) ow.ly/1Eft8s

MARKETING & BRANDING

RT @phyllismufson @JobHuntOrg: Personal (& org) branding using your email signature ow.ly/8tHkx

I’m on a reading binge of articles by @Sales_Source on marketing & selling yourself & your biz/org ow.ly/1ERvoV - something 4 every1

Oy! >> The Accidental Rebranding of Komen 4 the Cure, by @kivilm ow.ly/1FlIEH ht @eJPhil // When a gr8 nonprofit lacks a com strategy

RT @HildyGottlieb: Excellent RT @kevin_monroe: 6 questions your nonprofit board can use 2 avoid a Komen-like Crisis ow.ly/1FUCHf

SOCIAL MEDIA & INTERNET

Google+ intros pages >> RT @IndSector @dheyman: A primer on Google+ for nonprofit orgs bit.ly/y6Aidl

Dead-on! >> Creating a Social Media Strategy 4 Your Nonprofit: The Secret Sauce, by @askdebra ow.ly/91ozn on @eJPhil

The advantages to nonprofit orgs of using infographics ow.ly/8BSbe

CORPORATE CULTURE

Amen! RT @going_concern: 5 Reasons Why Your Boss Should Buy You an iPad tinyurl.com/8x2k8dt

RT @joannefritz: neg coverage of JPMorganChase’s “American Giving Awards” nyti.ms/uPNTAO // rare 4 public contests 2 actually do good

Gr8 takeaways >> RT @Mule_Kick: Blockbuster Misses a Golden Opportunity…Again bit.ly/sR4CBl

RT @kyleplacy: Taking Your Business Mobile: The Why & The How ow.ly/1G6meI

Powerful >> RT @augieray @mkrigsman: How Fuji survived & Kodak didn’t ow.ly/1Ek3QU (Danger of competing w/ marketing not products)

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Volunteering – A Great Way To Learn Real Executive Leadership ow.ly/1CPbvb

Gr8 Advice: Why Most LinkedIn users Don’t Get Results, by @DanSchawbel ow.ly/8gya5

How modern tech has made “getting organized” less efficient ow.ly/1E6Dz1 on @HarvardBiz via @joannefritz

RT @AlisonRapping @phyllismufson: How 2 Be a Leader When You Don’t Have Authority ow.ly/1E9JDI by @workawesome

10 questions that lead to true success (spoiler: money isn’t the answer) ow.ly/1EPpZa via @GuyKawasaki

“Failure Week” at British high school to teach students resilience & benefits of risk ow.ly/1FGILv

On February 28th, 2011, I had the privilege and pleasure of presenting a 10 minute presentation entitled “The Changing Role of Money” at the FONSI (Future of Nonprofit Summit – Israel) Conference in Jaffa, Israel.

Don’t let the somewhat intangible and grandiose name fool you, the conference was  a bold attempt to provide concrete tips, tools and trends on marketing, branding, technology and social media for the nonprofit sector.

In my short session, I described how money is changing from an object of secondary importance into a measuring stick and marketing tool.  I then detailed how financials and budgets are now being  used proactively to make sure the right message is being conveyed about a nonprofit organization.

As I promised the attendees when I spoke, below is the PowerPoint presentation that accompanied my speech.  (The presentation has been upgraded to clarify some points and include links to the articles and tools that were cited.)

Attendees were also kind enough to tweet some highlights and I’ve included them here.

Slides and tweets not enough for you, the conference was also video taped!

In the coming days and weeks I hope to write a piece or two about some of the ideas I mentioned.

For those that attended the conference, I hope your enjoyed.  Please feel free to reach out to me about anything I spoke about.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey

N.B.  I greatly enjoy sharing my experience and expertise and am available to speak — free of charge — to  organizations, conferences, board members, and donors.  More information is available here.

Links to the articles I’ve reviewed and posted to Twitter between February 28 – March 6, 2011.  This week’s topics include:  U.S. Regulations  •  Israel  •  Strategy & Governance •  Fundraising & Marketing  •  Social Media & Internet

You can stay up-to-date with these articles and more by following me on Twitter or subscribing to receive The Nonprofit Banker by email.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey

U.S. REGULATIONS

Board Meeting Minutes: always keep in mind who will be reading them, by Nonprofitlawyer http://ow.ly/1s6tLx via GTak (great ideas regardless of the country)

DonKramer: If a donor relocates to dif state, do you need to register to solicit in that state? http://ow.ly/1s5F0B // often overlooked!

DonKramer: Does the law exempt churches from disclosing their finances, salaries? http://ow.ly/1s6y4u // “churches” of any religion

DonKramer: A nonprofit receives a store gift card as a donation. How to treat it on income statement/balance sheet? http://ow.ly/1s6Mgz

IRSnews: You may be eligible for 1 or more of these valuable IRS tax credits http://ow.ly/1s6O6G via IndSector

ISRAEL

Last week’s interest rate hike could be re first of many if certain market conditions aren’t met http://ow.ly/45jBC

GOVERNANCE & STRATEGY

4 questions to help decide the best legal structure for a new nonprofit (by Benetech) http://ow.ly/1s7TLy via P2173

MarionConway: From a Foundation Perspective – What Makes An Effective Nonprofit? http://ow.ly/1s6MwQ via Npmaven

FUNDRAISING & MARKETING

GailPerrync: Where will the money come from? My Golden Rules for Identifying Donor Prospects http://ow.ly/42jWt

Weigh in: semantics or 2 truly dif approaches? “Investment Approach to Philanthropy” by Tactphil http://ow.ly/1s7Qm6

IndSector: Value of a volunteer hr in Texas is $21.47. What is it in your state? http://ow.ly/1s7KPp

Thoughtful piece on how new Gen defines adulthood. Gr8 for understanding young donors. (by RosettaThurman) http://ow.ly/1s7Lya

Augieray & Jer979: 6 Marketing Lessons From A Hollywood Movie Producer http://ow.ly/1s6y24

SOCIAL MEDIA & INTERNET

Comprehensive list of tools to help you go “officeless” http://ow.ly/1s5Qgf via NAFund & Practicalecomm & NetSuiteorg

AlisonRapping & NonprofitMediaW: Great list! 22 Hot New Social Media Tools http://ow.ly/1s6M1P via Rjleaman & CindyKing

Very. Good. Advice. Augieray: Gmail Failure Shows Danger Of Becoming Too Cloud-Dependent http://ow.ly/1s6O47

Links to the articles I’ve reviewed and posted to Twitter between February 15 – 20, 2010.  This week’s topics include:  U.S. Regulations  •  Israeli & Jewish Nonprofits  •  Strategy & Governance •  Fundraising & Marketing  •  Social Media & Internet

You can stay up-to-date with these articles and more by following me on Twitter or subscribing to receive The Nonprofit Banker by email.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey

U.S. REGULATION

Comprehensive essentials of nonprofit Board Meeting Minutes (part 1) http://ow.ly/1s4wZX by GTak & Nonprofitlawyer

If a nonprofit changes its name must it also file a new IRS exemption application? By DonKramer http://ow.ly/1s4Dyv

ISRAELI & JEWISH NONPROFITS

HUGE! Israel Knesset passes bill forcing nonprofit organizations 2 report foreign donations http://ow.ly/1s4hZh via eJPhil

NGOmonitor makes a great case why Transparency for Israel Nonprofit Orgs Isn’t Anti-Democratic http://ow.ly/1s4seu

Formal or Informal Friends: What’s Best 4 Your Israel Nonprofit organization? http://ow.ly/1s4fVv on eJPhil // another great piece by S. Donshik

Interesting take on salaries at “Jewish” (in name only) nonprofit organizations http://ow.ly/44eiq by N. Guttman of jdForward

GOVERNANCE & STRATEGY

One solution how to stop Boards of some Israel nonprofit orgs being just window dressing http://ow.ly/1s4990 (Hebrew)

New study explores the benefits & challenges of collaboration amongst nonprofit orgs http://ow.ly/40VmS on eJPhil

FUNDRAISING & MARKETING

Important difference btwn endowment & designated funds as explained by DonKramer http://ow.ly/1s4unQ

Solicitor Training: How Everyone Can Raise Friends & Funds, by Stephen Donshik http://ow.ly/1s47G8 on eJPhil

If it’s too hard to change people, change their environment! By KatyaN4G http://ow.ly/1s48cs // great advice even when not trying to persuade someone

SOCIAL MEDIA & INTERNET

Lessons from Red Cross: Twitter Mistakes & How To Handle Them, by Kanter http://ow.ly/1s45Vt

Combating popularity: Great tips for those managing online communities & forums (by Askdebra) http://ow.ly/1s4tBg

Links to the articles I’ve reviewed and posted to Twitter between January 31 – February 6, 2010. This week’s topics include:  Governance & Strategy  •  Fundraising & Marketing  •  Social Media & Internet  •  Personal Development  

You can stay up-to-date with these articles and more by following me on Twitter or subscribing to receive The Nonprofit Banker by email.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey

Governance & Strategy

• GTak: Top 11 Hot Topics for Directors http://ow.ly/1s0vii (Deloitte) via Normanmarks - important for nonprofits too!
• Lessons in oversight after nonprofit org suddenly shuts down, leaving large debt http://ow.ly/1s1nx7 via Npquarterly
• Great food for thought: HildyGottlieb: What if nonprofit boards were about exploration, discovery, leadership, change? http://ow.ly/1s0CHw
• SSIReview: Monopolies, high interest & abusive collection, rampant in microfinance http://ow.ly/1s0wov via Nonprofitlawyer & Adincmiller
• Great analysis of the pros & cons! GTak: Private foundation or donor-advised fund? (in Nytimes) http://ow.ly/1s0K45

Fundraising & Marketing

• Lessons from Google’s (many) unsuccessful attempts at corporate philanthropy http://ow.ly/3PAaW via FundraisingNews
• Great analysis of DOs & DON’Ts of Haiti-donation followup by nonprofit organizations http://ow.ly/1s0Wfj via FundraisingNews

Social Media & Internet

• 9 Ways to Encourage People to Comment on your Blog http://ow.ly/1s0zbc via CharlieKalech
• Nonprofitorgs: 10 e-Newsletter Best Practices for Nonprofit Organizations: http://ow.ly/1s0BGB
• Askdebra & AskAaronLee: Facebook Places vs Pages: What’s best 4 your nonprofit? by Johnhaydon http://ow.ly/1s0Jf4
• Why outsourcing your social media efforts isn’t the answer, by NealSchaffer http://ow.ly/1s1lTj via Nonprofitlawyer & Socialcitizen
• Johnhaydon: Becoming a Trust Agent w/ Chrisbrogan & InboundNow (see video or read transcript) http://ow.ly/1s1nAL

Personal Development

• Ajlovesya: 3 nonprofit job websites that offer great resources for job seekers & employees http://ow.ly/3O8Mh