This comprehensive two-part series examines donor advised funds (DAFs) from a strategic nonprofit perspective. Part 1 provides a critical strategic assessment framework for nonprofits considering DAF cultivation, including market analysis, organizational readiness evaluation, and competitive positioning. It introduces a five-factor...
This implementation guide represents Part 2 of a comprehensive two-part series on Donor Advised Fund (DAF) cultivation for nonprofit organizations. Part 1 provided strategic assessment tools including organizational readiness evaluation, competitive market analysis, and resource requirement planning to determine DAF cultivation...
Part 1 of the 2026 Nonprofit Strategic Planning Guide focuses on essential foundation building that organizations must complete before effective strategic implementation. This practical resource addresses six critical internal capacity areas: evaluating current plans, clarifying mission statements, environmental scanning, strategic...
Part 2 shows you how to turn your strategic plan into real results. You've done the foundation work in Part 1—now it's time to make it work in the real world. This section covers nine practical strategies that bridge the gap between having a plan and actually using it: building community partnerships, measuring impact in ways funders...
The recently enacted federal tax reform legislation, known as "The One Big Beautiful Bill," introduces significant changes affecting nonprofit organizations, private foundations, and higher education institutions. This analysis examines key provisions including expanded executive compensation excise taxes, tiered foundation and...
The first half of 2025 has presented unprecedented challenges and opportunities for the nonprofit sector. Federal funding uncertainties stemming from executive orders and budget freezes have created operational instability, while approximately one-third of U.S. nonprofits receive some form of government support, making these policy...
This is Part 1 of a two-part series examining tax-exempt status requirements for nonprofit organizations. Part 1 addresses federal 501(c)(3) requirements, while Part 2 will examine state requirements that create additional compliance obligations beyond federal law. The 2025 political landscape presents complex challenges for 501(c)(3)...
This is Part 2 of a two-part series examining tax-exempt status requirements for nonprofit organizations. Part 1 addressed federal 501(c)(3) requirements, while Part 2 examines related state requirements that create additional compliance obligations beyond federal law. Nonprofit organizations must navigate complex state-specific...
This comprehensive analysis provides a practical framework for nonprofit strategic planning in preparation for 2026 and beyond. The guide offers scalable, step-by-step processes tailored to organizations of varying sizes and resources, from small nonprofits with budgets under $500K to large organizations exceeding $2M. Part 1...
Nonprofit executive compensation remains a critical governance challenge requiring strategic balance between competitive market rates, donor expectations, and mission alignment. This comprehensive analysis examines best practices for establishing transparent, defensible compensation packages including cash and non-cash components,...
Building trust and transparency in nonprofit organizations is critical for sustainable success in today's competitive landscape. This comprehensive analysis explores how nonprofit leaders can establish robust trust frameworks through financial accountability, governance excellence, and stakeholder engagement. Covering legal...
Nonprofit mission creep threatens organizational effectiveness and sustainability in today's challenging funding environment. This comprehensive guide explores how nonprofits can identify, prevent, and address mission drift while maintaining focus on core objectives. Learn practical strategies for mission assessment, recognize warning signs of...
Transform your nonprofit's Form 990 from a compliance burden into a powerful strategic management tool. This comprehensive guide shows how to leverage Form 990 data for financial performance analysis, operational improvements, and compelling fundraising narratives. Learn essential KPIs, benchmarking strategies, and storytelling techniques that...
This analysis examines the impact of President Trump's January 2025 executive orders on nonprofit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The orders target federal funding recipients, requiring certification of compliance with anti-discrimination laws and threatening enforcement actions against organizations with "discriminatory DEI...
The Trump administration's executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs have fundamentally reshaped the compliance landscape for nonprofit organizations. These orders eliminate federal DEI requirements, rescind decades-old affirmative action mandates for federal contractors, establish a binary sex...
When your executive director leaves unexpectedly, will your nonprofit survive? This practical guide shows you exactly how to prepare for leadership transitions before they happen. You'll get ready-to-use tools for identifying key positions at risk, developing your current staff into future leaders, and creating emergency backup plans....
Clear, consistent communication serves as the backbone of successful nonprofit operations, whether during routine activities or unexpected crises. Organizations with established communication policies and procedures navigate challenges more effectively while maintaining stakeholder trust and operational continuity. This analysis...
This comprehensive guide provides nonprofit leadership with essential information on regulatory compliance requirements, focusing on organizational governance, tax-exempt status, structural foundations, and emerging compliance areas including technology governance and international operations oversight. As the first part of a...