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...



Executive Director/Board/Governance
Navigating Uncertainty: 2025 Midyear Nonprofit Operating Review
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...
Part 1: Navigating Political Activities: A Federal Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) Organizations
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)...
Part 2: State Requirements for Political Activities and Tax-Exempt Status
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...
2026 Nonprofit Strategic Planning: A Practical Guide
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: Best Practices and Procedures
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,...
Nonprofit Trust and Transparency: The Foundation for Success
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: Getting Back to Your Roots
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...
How to Use Your Form 990 to Improve Your Organization’s Financial and Operating Performance
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...
Nonprofit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Determining How to Comply with the Trump Executive Order
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...
Understanding the Trump Executive Orders: Implementing Necessary Policy Changes
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...
Nonprofit Succession Planning: A Step-by-Step Guide to Protect Your Organization
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....
Building Your Nonprofit’s Crisis Communication Plan Before the Crisis Occurs
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...
Nonprofit Regulatory Compliance Guide: Part 1 – Governance, Tax-Exempt Status, and Organizational Structure
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...
Nonprofit Regulatory Compliance Guide: Part 2 – Financial Management, Employment, and Human Resources
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...
Nonprofit Regulatory Compliance Guide: Part 3 – Fundraising, Program Delivery, and External Relations
This third part of the comprehensive regulatory compliance guide examines fundraising regulation, program delivery requirements, and environmental compliance for nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit leadership must navigate complex state registration requirements, professional fundraiser oversight, digital fundraising compliance,...
Nonprofit Regulatory Compliance Guide: Part 4 – Risk Management, Legal Compliance, and Reporting
This final part of the comprehensive regulatory compliance guide addresses risk management, legal compliance, reporting requirements, and organizational transition procedures that ensure sustainability and accountability. Nonprofit leadership must understand insurance requirements, enterprise risk management frameworks, data...
Maximizing Nonprofit Board Performance: A Comprehensive Guide to Director Recruitment, Engagement, and Governance Excellence
Effective nonprofit board governance requires strategic recruitment, comprehensive training, and ongoing engagement of directors who bring diverse skills and unwavering commitment to organizational mission. This analysis examines critical factors for building high-performing nonprofit boards, including targeted recruitment strategies,...