http://charitynetusa.com/blog Nonprofit tips, tools, and insights from a Master of Nonprofit Management Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:31:34 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en People sometimes question the need for a mission statement, but an accurate, effective mission statement is essential to your nonprofit organization. Why? It’s the most widely used nonprofit marketing piece, and it’s your first and most concise tool to win public understanding.  What’s included in a mission statement? A mission statement encompasses ... http://charitynetusa.com/blog/?p=125 No matter how worthy your nonprofit’s cause, you won’t automatically attract funds.  Sometimes you have to start with the basics; fundraising. Successful fundraising requires organization, a simple implementation strategy, a plan to motivate your volunteers and something to offer in return for the “donor” support. Many nonprofits are sitting on a pile ... http://charitynetusa.com/blog/?p=122 Many non-profits do not take the time to hash out an estimated budget for their programs before embarking on the grant proposal process. However, establishing a budget is an essential step in the operation of every organization, regardless of whether or not they are seeking grant funding. Without conducting some ... http://charitynetusa.com/blog/?p=117 Fees for Applying for 501c3 Tax Exempt Status are Set Increase! User fees will increase for all applications for exemption (Forms 1023, 1024, and 1028) postmarked January 3, 2010: $400 for organizations whose gross receipts are $10,000 or less annually over a 4-year period $850 for organizations whose gross receipts exceed $10,000 annually over ... http://charitynetusa.com/blog/?p=110 It’s summertime, and it’s a great time for any organization to really push their fundraising efforts! Car washes, walk-a-thons, chicken bbq’s... all of these are great ideas and they can really aid in bringing in a few dollars; but wouldn't you rather they bring in a few hundred dollars? Any organization ... http://charitynetusa.com/blog/?p=113 “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” Will your organization rise to the top or will it buckle under the pressure of an unstable economy?  Most likely, you would prefer the latter, but in order to “get going” it’s imperative that an organization utilize strategies that are both ... http://charitynetusa.com/blog/?p=107 More and more organizations are using charity auctions to supplement their fundraising. Charity auctions can be profitable and fun, however to ensure success organizational administrators must undertake careful planning and maintain an eye for details. The amount of time necessary to plan such an event will vary depending on how ... http://charitynetusa.com/blog/?p=95 Many nonprofit organizations with which you may be familiar have names that contain the word “Foundation”. However, in many cases these organizations are not foundations in the legal sense, but rather are public charities. While both private foundations and public charities are 501(c)(3) organizations, there is quite a substantial difference ... http://charitynetusa.com/blog/?p=89 On a day to day basis I have dealings with a variety of nonprofit organizations, and have discovered one pressing issue that seems to be faced by all organizations, startup and established, big and small-conflicts of interest. Because conflicts of interest can be a serious threat to both an organization′s ... http://charitynetusa.com/blog/?p=85 Your dream has become a reality. The cause that is your passion has been transformed into a functional organization. You′ve established a board, clarified your mission, adopted bylaws, incorporated, and achieved 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. After such exhaustive effort has been expended, it would be senseless to ... http://charitynetusa.com/blog/?p=77