The NonProfit Times

The Winter 2013 (2) Edition Of Exempt Magazine

2013-11-08T10:10:00.000-05:00

The new issue of our sister publication, Exempt Magazine, is now online for our readers to enjoy. Here's a look at some of the stories you can find within the pages of the Winter 2013 edition.

Articles

Joint Costs And Social Media: Dennis Morrone and Priti Singh write about how social media has become an effective tool for nonprofits to raise awareness, change public attitudes and behaviors toward a social issue, attract donors, educate chosen constituents and publicize programmatic successes.
Nonprofit Trademark: Protect Your Fundraising Brand: With the daily barrage of information competing for your donors’ attention, how does your fundraising campaign stand out and get noticed? Many nonprofits don’t realize that their “brand” is one of the most valuable assets.

Column:

Minimize Your Risk When Allowing User-Generated Content On Social Media: Allowance of user-generated content on social media pages controlled or operated by a nonprofit can raise a number of potential legal risks and liability issues, which are due in large part to the fact that the nonprofit might not have complete control over what a third party posts or displays.

Featured Nonprofit Job: President/Executive Director

2013-11-06T09:47:00.003-05:00

The Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco (CCCS) announced today that it is seeking a new President/Executive Director to run the organization. Do you think you fit the bill? If so, read on for more details on this nonprofit job.

The chosen candidate for this position will be charged with driving innovative program development, the establishment of new strategic partnerships, and directing organizational growth initiatives. Position will require innovative leadership to meet the demands of a rapidly changing, regulatory and competitive landscape.

To be considered for the President/Executive Director position at CCCS, candidates must possess a demonstrated track record of building high-performing teams with strategic focus and operational discipline. In addition, successful candidates will have proven leadership experience overseeing complex business models in the non-profit, financial counseling, or retail financial services sectors. A bachelor’s degree is required, though an advanced degree is preferred.

You can apply for this job today by visiting the NPT Jobs Career Center.

4 Ways Of Finding Society Donors

2013-11-04T15:16:00.002-05:00

Nonprofits will gladly accept a donation of any size but when it comes down to it receiving a gift from higher-priced donors are much more helpful in the fundraising enterprise.

The most sought after gifts come from what are called Society Donors. These individuals tend to make the biggest donations and, as such, are the biggest catch for any fundraiser. During the 2013 Blackbaud Conference for Nonprofits, George Durney and Page Bullington of Marquette University discussed the best ways to secure a gift from a Society Donor. The process should involve a careful, dedicated program of cultivation.

Based on surveys taken at 12 institutions of higher learning over a 20-year period, Durney and Bullington offered the following reminders when going after Society Donors:

Have patience. On average, it took 13.2 years for a donor to make their first $1,000 gift.
Keep donors engaged and giving. Those who gave $1,000 in fiscal year 2009 gave in about 73 percent of the years they were on file.
Have a cultivation plan. Some 57 percent of donors made a first gift of less than $100.
Establish donor potential. The higher the first gift, the quicker they became a higher-level donor/

The NPT 2013 Top 100: Who's #1?

2013-11-01T11:47:00.000-04:00

For the 25th time in the history of The NonProfit Times, we have unveiled the NPT Top 100. And for the sixth year in a row, the YMCA of the USA came in at number one in our study of the top grossing nonprofits.

Released in our November 1 issue each year since 1988, the NPT Top 100 ranks organizations by total revenue (with at least 10 percent coming in the form of public support). The Y took the top spot again this year thanks to a strong combination of program revenue ($4.556 billion), public support ($827 million), and government support ($614 million). Overall, The Y's total revenue in 2012 was $6.239 billion.

Coming in at a distant second was Goodwill Industries International, which had a total revenue of $4.894 billion. Much of those funds came in the form of program service revenue ($3.404 billion).

Other organizations that made the top five this year were:

United Way ($4.260 billion);
Catholic Charities USA ($4.227 billion); and,
The Salvation Army ($3.353 billion).

You can view the full report on our website, in addition to an exclusive interview with Dan Romano of Grant Thornton, who broke down the NPT 2013 Top 100.

***

Not to be forgotten amidst this news is the rest of the content of the November 1 issue. Included in this month's edition of The NonProfit Times are stories about ObamaCare guidelines for nonprofits, the story of a group trying to use neuroscience to reframe human services, and an opinion piece from our Editor-in-Chief about what shape organizations are going to take in the future.

Wanted: Participants For The 2014 Best Nonprofits To Work For Report

2013-10-31T09:59:00.000-04:00

The Tote Bag Design.

UPDATE: This is the last day to nominate your nonprofit! Don't miss your chance to get your organization listed in the report. As a bonus, all those who complete the registration process will receive a tote bag with the design shown to the left and, in addition, will be entered for a chance to win a $100 AmEx Gift Card. We will be choosing our lucky winners tomorrow.

Do you think your nonprofit is the best for which to work? Now is your chance to prove it by nominating your organization for The NonProfit Times' 2014 Best Nonprofits To Work For Report.

NPT, along with the Best Companies Group, releases a report of the 50 best nonprofits to work for in the United States every year. Last year's study was highlighted by the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a Jacksonville, Fl.-based organization that helps veterans who were injured in combat. This was the third year in a row that WWP won the top honors; will it win again in 2014, or will a new organization take the crown?

Other top organizations included the American Heart Association, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Alzheimer's Association.

Now is your chance to see if WWP will reign again, or if another nonprofit will dethrone it. Simply go to the Best Companies Group website and register to participate. There is no cost to complete the survey online, so all we require is your time. All applications must be submitted by October 31.

Those who complete their registration will also be entered for a chance to win a $100 American Express gift card!

Once registered, participants will receive the following information in their e-mail:

The Employer Benefits & Policies Questionnaire;
The Employee Engagement & Satisfaction Survey;
Survey distribution instructions; and,
Other supporting materials and instructions.

As an added benefit to completing the survey, all participants will have the opportunity to purchase the Employee Feedback Report, which details the results of their specific survey. These would normally cost thousands of dollars if initiated independently.

Register today to make sure your nonprofit is represented in the 2014 study!

5 Donor Problems For Nonprofits

2013-10-28T14:20:00.000-04:00

Nonprofits exist to solve problems. Yet as many nonprofit managers will attest, they are much happier solving problems that exist outside the organization. One thing is for sure: Any organization that has problems with its donors has problems.

Wayne Elsey, founder and CEO of Soles4Souls, wrote in his book "Almost Isn't Good Enough" that there are at least five issues that nonprofits encounter from donors. Solving these problems, Elsey wrote, can help an organization increase its footprint and success.

The five problems are:

“I can’t find you online.” Update the Website every 30 days (or 10). Hire or contract with someone who knows digital Web design. “If I can’t find you on Google, then you don’t exist.”
“I don’t understand what you do.” A good rule of thumb is if you can’t recite the mission of your organization, then you have no hope of spreading the message and funding your work.
“It’s difficult to get more information.” Donors want to know something about the organization before they are asked their vital statistics, including address.
“It’s impossible for me to get involved beyond giving money.” Leaders should be asking how they can get more people involved so they can see the pain in the lives of those in need.
“I never hear from you except when you want me to give.” A relationship based on one party asking and the other giving isn’t much of a relationship.

5 Techniques To Safeguard Your Technology

2013-10-25T10:37:00.000-04:00

The Internet is a useful place for nonprofits to be, but it can also be a veritable danger zone for your technology. If you aren’t careful, you could find yourself on the receiving end of a malicious virus that could severely hamper all the hard work your organization has done.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to keep your information out of harm's way before you dive into the web.

In the book "Nonprofit Management 101," Holly Ross, executive director at the Drupal Association in Portland, Ore., encouraged nonprofit managers to take the security of your devices seriously. She recommended the following five techniques to keep your operation running smoothly:

Firewall: This is basically a gate between the outside world and your network of computers. It’s essential that you have a firewall set up to keep spammers, hackers, and other malicious people from infiltrating your network to use it for nefarious purposes.
Antivirus protection: Antivirus software should be installed on each of the computers on your network. Worms and viruses continue to be written every day, so it’s essential that you purchase the regular update packages for whichever program you choose to use.
Backup: Most people view backing up as insurance for extreme situations such as natural disasters, but the backup is most important in many day-to-day situations.
Passwords: The simplest thing you can do to protect your organization’s data and files is to put in place a strong password policy. Ensure that staff are both using different passwords for logins and changing their passwords frequently.
Physical security: Equipment like laptops, printers, and desktop computers should be secured to desks with cable locks so they can’t be removed.

Feds: Charity Boss Stole $4 Million

2013-10-23T11:27:00.001-04:00

Brian James Brown, the former head of a charity advocating for Native Americans, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he stole $4 million from the organization.

According to a report in The Oregonian, Brown was arrested on Sunday at Portland International Airport, just as he was returning from a month-long trip to Thailand. Authorities say that his excursion was paid for, in part, by the funds allegedly stolen from National Relief Charities (NRC).

The arrest comes 11 days after a federal grand jury in Portland handed up an indictment against Brown, which charged him and unnamed co-conspirators with attempting to defraud NRC. The indictment further stated that Brown stepped down as head of the organization in 2005 to form his own nonprofit, Charity One Inc., which did business as the American Indian Education Endowment Fund.

Brown allegedly convinced NRC to fund Charity One with $4 million from 2006 to 2009, saying the funds would be used to offer scholarships to Native Americans.

"Instead," the government wrote in a news release, "Brown and unnamed co-conspirators allegedly used the entire $4 million for their personal benefit."

To keep the checks of either $100,000 or $200,000 coming in, Brown allegedly delivered falsified financial statements to prove that the money was being used appropriately.

Brown was allowed to go free after his arraignment as he awaits his Dec. 17 trial. He was ordered by U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis J. Hubel to surrender his passport, wear a GPS ankle monitor, and stay at home from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

You can read the full report in The Oregonian.

Featured Nonprofit Job: Chief Operating Officer

2013-10-21T11:31:00.001-04:00

San Diego Rescue Mission is looking to hire a Chief Operating Officer (COO). Do you think you have what it takes to succeed in this position? If so, read on for more details.

The chosen candidate for this position will direct and coordinate both the clinical and operational activities relative to the day-to-day Mission operations, ensuring the internal operations run smoothly and efficiently to maximize Mission resources. Other primary responsibilities include:

Work with Board of Directors and committees to establish policies and programs and administers such programs.
Establish appropriate metrics and structure to ensure the effective implementation occurs to support both the long-term and short-term objectives.
Measure the effectiveness and progression of the strategic plan.
Identify, develops, implements, maintains and updates consistent policies, procedures and practices to gain operational efficiencies across all programs and services.
Lead, coach, develop and retain the Mission high-performance management teams with an emphasis on developing capacity in strategic analysis and planning and budgeting.
Manage staff with multiple competing priorities and preferences.

Qualified applicants for this job should have a Bachelor's degree though an advanced degree is preferred. Candidates are also required to have at least five years of experience in finance, operations or related positions. You can find out more about this job by heading to the NPT Jobs Career Center.

(Also check out San Diego Rescue Mission's other featured job -- VP of Development)

Featured Nonprofit Job: Director, Chemical Products Technology

2013-10-18T13:35:00.000-04:00

It's not everyday that we get nonprofit jobs on our Career Center in the field of chemistry, as our newest featured position proves, there's a first time for everything.

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) in Washington, D.C., is looking to hire a Director of Chemical Products Technology. The chosen candidate for this position will serve as the staff executive for several of ACC’s product specific groups. The position will have primary responsibility for managing issues, programs, staff, budget and advocacy efforts to achieve their assigned groups’ goals and objectives. This position will also work to coordinate activities of the groups with the broader ACC and other key local, national, regional and international organizations/stakeholders.

Given the field this organization works in, it's important that you have some background in chemistry before applying, though this is not required. Specific requirements include:

Eight years of issue management experience in a business, trade, or advocacy organization;
Strong leadership skills;
Strong written and oral communication skills;
Organizational and budget management experience;
Austomer/member focus with ability to facilitate consensus; capability to work within a large organization and foster coordination across groups; and,
Strong technical competency with the ability to learn and manage complex issues.

If you are interested in applying for this position, head to the NPT Jobs Career Center for detailed application instructions.

Thes Nonprofit Times' Resource Marketplace: Technology Guide 2013

2013-10-16T13:06:00.005-04:00

The October 15th edition of The NonProfit Times includes a number of great editorial items for our readers to enjoy, but it also has another great feature useful for nonprofits which is our semiannual Technology Guide.

The Technology Guide contains the latest top resources for nonprofits seeking assistance for all types of technology, from donor management software to payment processing. The guide is designed to help decision makers in the nonprofit section who are seeking technology-related products and services.

Clients who are featured in the 2013 Technology Guide include:

All of these services and more will help your nonprofit make the right decisions when it comes to technology. Check out the 2013 Technology Guide II today to see what options are available for your organization.

If you’re a supplier and want to advertise in either our April 2014 or October 2014 Technology Guides, please contact Mary Ford at 973-401-0202 x206 or mary@nptimes.com

The October 15 2013 Edition Of The NonProfit Times

2013-10-15T13:59:00.000-04:00

We are pleased to announce that the October 15th edition of The NonProfit Times is now available both online and in print.

This new issue features a new Executive Session with NPT Editor-in-Chief Paul Clolery and frequent NPT contributor Rick Christ, who is vice president at Peabody, Mass-based Amergent. Joining them were Todd Baker, vice president, strategic services at Re-source One in Tulsa, Okla.; Cathy Finney, deputy vice president, strategic services, at The Wilderness Society in Washington, D.C.; and, Mark Rhode, vice president of Russ Reid in Pasadena, Calif. This panel discussed, among other things, the finer details of the request for proposal (RFP) process.

"From the calls I’ve been getting lately, putting out an RFP today is not a process but a bludgeoning," said Clolery, leading off the discussion.

Click here to view the full Executive Session.

Other features of the October 15th issue of NPT include:

Articles

Gmail Tabs Not Slimming Email Just Yet: If you are a frequent user of Google's email service, known as Gmail, you probably noticed some changes to your inbox. Specifically, Gmail now has four primary inboxes: Primary, updates, social, and promotions. Nonprofit marketers have been worried that their crucial fundraising emails will be relegated to some pseudo-spam limbo. Analysts have a message for nonprofits: Don’t panic just yet.
GUSA Cuts Quarter Of Its HQ Staff: The ongoing reorganization of Girl Scouts of the USA (GUSA) has carved more than a quarter of the 325 employees from the national headquarters in Midtown Manhattan.

Columns

Mythbusters: Everyone knows that multichannel donors are worth many times the value of single-source donors. Except that’s not entirely accurate, said Sarah DiJulio, principal at M+R Strategic Services in Washington, D.C.
Phoning It In: There’s a mobile phone application (colloquially known as an app) for just about everything these days. As smartphones continue to grow in popularity, it’s only natural that nonprofits would want to create an app of their own. But according to experts in the field, that’s not necessarily the best route to go.

Featured Nonprofit Job: Senior Director Of Membership And Marketing

2013-10-14T11:43:00.003-04:00

Are you a marketing expert? Our newest featured nonprofit job, bought to you by the Optical Society (OSA) will be right your ally if that's the case.

The Washington, D.C.-based organization is looking to hire a Senior Director of Membership and Marketing to lead the planning and management of OSA’s membership, marketing and education programming. The chosen candidate will also be a key stakeholder in developing and implementing a strategic plan for membership and marketing services.

Other main responsibilities include:

Overseeing Membership and Marketing staff and ensures functions are efficiently executed, high quality, and cost-effective, and that growth/development objectives are met or exceeded.
Tracking membership and marketing programs, assessing program impacts, and making modifications as needed.
Managing and coaching of direct reports.
Building and maintaining positive relationships with volunteers, peer societies and external organizations.

Qualified applicants will have six to eight years of management-level association experience and experience with program planning, budgeting, execution and tracking. A Bachelor's degree is required, though a Master's degree is much preferred.

You can learn more about what it takes to succeed as a Senior Director of Membership and Marketing by heading to the NPT Jobs Career Center.

Mercersburg Academy Alum Donates $100 Million

2013-10-11T11:52:00.001-04:00

In what was the second-largest gift ever given to an independent school in the U.S., Mercersburg Academy announced Thursday that it had received a gift of nearly $100 million from alumna Deborah J. Simon and her foundation.

The donation, which Simon said was made out of gratitude for her two years at the Mercersburg, Pa.-based institution, is the leading gift so far in the school's "Daring to Lead" $300 million capital campaign. When combined with recent campaign gifts that include support for a new student center, Simon and the Deborah Joy Simon Foundation have pledged nearly $107 million to Mercersburg Academy.

"We are thrilled beyond words for this transformational gift and the confidence that Deborah and her foundation have placed in us," said Douglas Hale, head of school. "Because of their vision and generosity, young men and women from all walks of life will have access to an extraordinary education that will allow them to realize their potential."

Simon, who is a member of the Mercersburg Academy Board of Regents, praised Hale for his "vision" for the school. "This is a place where faculty are encouraged to experiment with new ideas and technologies to engage students more fully in their education," she said.

According to a press release announcing the donation, Simon's gift will help Mercersburg Academy achieve its goal of ensuring its education is affordable for its students. Currently, 32 percent of students receive need-based financial aid, and 49 percent receive a combination of merit and need-based scholarships toward tuition. The Academy accepts students in grades 9-12.

Previous gifts to U.S. independent schools that equaled or surpassed Simon's gift include a $128 million donation to the Newtown, Pa.-based George School in 2007 and $100 million to the Hightstown, N.J.-based Peddie School in 1993. The previous high donation to the Mercersburg Academy came in 2000 by alumnus and former President of the Board of Regents H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest, who donated $35 million.

Featured Nonprofit Job: Development Coordinator

2013-10-08T13:19:00.001-04:00

Care 4 Needy Copts, located in Plainview, N.Y., is looking to hire a Development Coordinator. Think you have what it takes to succeed at this position? Read on for more details on this newest featured nonprofit job.

The chosen candidate for this position will be responsible for fulfilling three main goals for the organization: Expand the organizational financial resources by increasing and diversifying the donors’ base in the organization; provide technical support to the organizational fundraising strategy and fundraising plan; and, provide technical and administrative support to the current fund raising activities.

Other essential responsibilities include:

The Development Coordinator will be expected to contribute to the organization’s financial growth and ensure that all fundraising events and initiatives are in alignment with their mission and goals.
Develop and execute a fundraising plan to increase contributions from all sources, including foundations, individuals, and corporate gifts.
Plan special events, along with cultivation, marketing and recognition functions. These include the Annual Gala and other events.
Oversee production of all print and virtual public relations and marketing materials, including newsletters and updates, and annual reports.
Direct the maintenance and upgrades to the organizations website and public information communications.
Increase the donor’s base and direct the activities to diverse type of communities.

Qualified applicants will have three to five years of experience in fundraising and marketing for a nonprofit. A Bachelor's degree is required though an advanced degree is preferred.

You can learn more about what it takes to be a Development Coordinator by viewing the full job listing on the NPT Jobs Career Center.

Is Your Nonprofit Truly Philanthropic?

2013-10-07T14:00:00.001-04:00

Most nonprofit managers, if asked, would answer "yes" if they were asked whether their organization truly embodied the culture of philanthropy. But does it really?

To fully answer this question, you must first clarify what makes up a philanthropic culture. During the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ 50^th International Conference on Fundraising, representatives of the Osborne Group, a management, consulting and training firm, defined a culture of philanthropy and stewardship as follows: Everyone within the organization, including recipients of services and their families, and the board of directors, understands, embraces, believes in and acts on the person’s roles and responsibilities in philanthropy and stewardship in a collaborative and donor-centric manner.

With this definition in mind, the speakers listed six ways to create a philanthropic culture at your nonprofit:

Organizational vision provides the urgency for change. A great organization and a successful fundraising operation begin with a clear and compelling mission and an aspirational and urgent vision undergirded with shared, stated values.
Change requires a vision as well. Imagining the organization or institution once it achieves the culture of philanthropy and stewardship paints a picture all constituencies can grasp.
Start with champions and modeling behavior. These champions serve as guiding lights.
Wow the team. It is hard to make others feel great about giving and participating if the proposed change agent feels beleaguered or under-appreciated.
You need a plan. A vision without a plan is just a pipedream.
Institutionalize the new changes. Document the new policies and procedures. Reward and celebrate success.

Webinar: Can Nonprofits Raise Money With Social Media?

2013-10-03T11:23:00.002-04:00

It's the age-old question for nonprofits: Can you raise money using social media? While studies done over the last three years show that the answer is generally "no," that doesn't mean organizations should abandon ship.

The NonProfit Times, in partnership with the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN), is proud to present "Can Nonprofits Raise Money With Social Media?" This webinar, which is happening on October 25th at 1:00 p.m. EST, will show how social media is a great way to deepen relationships with your community and eventually turn them into donors, featuring expert opinions by Allyson Kapin of Rad Campaign, Lindsey Twombley of the Human Rights Campaign, and Danielle Brigida of the National Wildlife Federation.

Here is just some of the information you will take away from this special event:

Strategies that can help you move from single to multi-channel ways to engage and fundraise;
A suggestion of tools that help you move agilely in a rapidly changing environment; and,
Information about future trends to help keep your marketing mix fresh and innovative.

This special premium webinar event puts you directly in conversation with expert panelists. Take advantage of our advance registration discount: purchase your registration at our online store by October 20th to receive the early-bird rate of just $49. Full registration after October 20th will be $69.

4 Professional Development Ideas

2013-10-02T10:56:00.000-04:00

Professional development is a key skill for any employee to learn. Whether it's advancing in the ranks at your current job or taking your talents elsewhere, it's important to never to be satisfied staying in one position.

While it's always preferable to advance within your current organization, sometimes that's not in the cards. The current job market is incredibly competitive which means you will have to present yourself as a unique talent should you decide it's time to start somewhere new.

During the Blackbaud Conference for Nonprofits in National Harbor, Md., William F. Bartolini, associate vice president for development at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., offered advice on how to make yourself look unique to employers.

Find Your Passion: Sit down and figure out what your best attributes are. Test your list with a trusted friend along with a trusted co-worker.
Create A List: Use the list to describe your accomplishments, challenges you’ve faced and experiences you want to have.
Elevator Speech: Prepare a short speech that encapsulates your experiences and advantages. These types of speeches should last 30 seconds. Make them brief.
Where Will You Go?: Outline what the ins and outs to your work are. Do you want to be involved in fundraising or do a little of everything? Do you want to work in a small shop or big shop? These are all questions you should be asking yourself.

The October 1 2013 Issue Of The NonProfit Times

2013-10-01T10:23:00.001-04:00

The beginning of a new month means a lot of things but here at NPT it means one thing in particular: The release of a new issue.

We are proud to bring to our readers the October 1st edition of The NonProfit Times. Within the pages of this issue you will find stories on the NAACP's leadership transition, how the floods in Colorado have affected nonprofits, and much more. Here's a quick overview of some of the main stores in the October 1 issue:

Special Report

Special Report - Professional Development 2013: Each year we do a special report on professional development in the nonprofit sector. This year's report focuses on how preparation remains key to landing a nonprofit job in today's market.

Articles

NAACP Leadership Transition Spotlights New Generation Of Leaders: Where does the NAACP go from here now that Benjamin Jealous has stepped down as CEO?
In Colorado - Safe Shelter And Food Tough To Get When Everything Floods: The recent floods in Colorado have had a huge effect on all organizations in the states but, according to our report, it hit food and shelter agencies the hardest.
A Year After Sandy Much Is Still To Be Done: The American Red Cross’s $307 million hasn’t fixed it yet, and neither has the Robin Hood Foundation’s $73 million. The New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, devastated by Super Storm Sandy one year ago this month took lifetimes to build and “was destroyed in hours, and will take months and years to rebuild,” said Roger Lowe, senior vice president of communications for the Washington, D.C.-based American Red Cross.

Columns

General Ramblings - A Debut: Our Editor-in-Chief Paul Clolery's latest opinion column takes aim at Robert Reich's recent suggestion that public schools should not be allowed to have private foundations.
Controversy: Does volunteering for the upcoming Super Bowl in New Jersey make you a "chump," as one sports commentator recently opined? Our resident volunteer expert, Susan J. Ellis, takes issue with this suggestion.

Also included in this issue of The NonProfit Times is our Professional Development Guide, which advertises services for those wishing to go back to school for nonprofit management.

4 Questions To Ask About Web Technology

2013-09-30T11:42:00.002-04:00

Though some would like to believe otherwise, there is simply no way to run a successful nonprofit or business in today's world without being at least familiar with online technology. There are many questions managers will have but, according to experts speaking at this year's Bridge Conference, they should start with their organization's website.

Speaking at the New York City-based conference, representatives of Big Duck and the Environmental Defense Fund said that website technology is an important component of maintaining a good site and keeping it effective.

Getting the most of this technology, the representatives said, means answering specific questions regarding your current web hosting. They said that if the organization cannot give a definitive yes answer to the questions, then it is time to re-evaluate the content management and constituent management systems (CMS and CRM) and to consider alternatives.

The questions you should ask are:

Does the organization have a way to track actions such as donations, open rates and event sign-ups?
Is there enough support for the system that there is confidence it will be around for the long term?
Does the site’s publishing system make it easy for staff to update content?
Does the site have the tools and functions to meet organization goals and those of the organization’s audience?

Exempt Magazine: Fall 2013 Edition

2013-09-27T13:03:00.002-04:00

The new issue of our sister publication, Exempt Magazine, is now online for our readers to enjoy. Here's a look at some of the stories you can find within the pages of the Fall 2013 edition:

Articles

Transparency, Terrain And Terrorism: Transferring hard currency is always an issue, whether it is due to terrorism rules or the remoteness of the target. There are also vital issues of accountability for the currency transfer and to the donor.
Confusing Extension: Registrations have increased but major misconceptions about .ORG extensions remain, according to the new domain name report released by Public Interest Registry (PIR), the nonprofit that manages the .ORG top-level domain (TLD).

Column

Salary Hikes For Online Giving: A study of the past three Nonprofit Organizations Survey and Benefits Surveys sponsored by The NonProfit Times indicates that a relatively new position, online giving manager, is becoming more established while the position of major events manager/specialist has stalled or declined in compensation.

Want to subscribe to Exempt Magazine? Head to our online store for more information on pricing.

Webinar: Social Media, #GivingTuesday and End-of-Year Fundraising

2013-09-26T09:50:00.000-04:00

UPDATE: The webinar begins today but it's not too late to register! Sign up today to learn about this important topic.

Every nonprofit wants to be a part of the social media scene. Not only will it increase your organization's visibility, it could potentially lead to an increase in donations. But beware: Being popular on social media doesn't automatically mean you will be seeing improved fundraising.

Join us along with Salsa Labs for "Social Media, #GivingTuesday and End-of-Year Fundraising," a free webinar on September 26 at 2:00 p.m. Roz Lemieux, CEO of Attentive.ly, Drew Bernard, founder and CEO of ActionSprout.com, and Christine Schaefer, VP of Community and Marketing at Salsa Labs, will be speaking about how your organization can turn your social media success into guaranteed donations.

Whether it's on #GivingTuesday or end-of-year fundraising, these three speakers will walk you step-by-step through how even with just a small team and some technology tools you can easily plan, execute and measure to segment and target the right people with the right message at the right time.

This webinar might not be for another three weeks but it's never too early to register. Sign up for free today so you can learn how to turn online popularity into dollars.

Mich. Gov. Snyder Defends Use Of Nonprofit Funds

2013-09-25T13:45:00.002-04:00

Amid reports that his nonprofit paid for the living and travel expenses of a government official, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is saying that taxpayers should not be alarmed.

According to a report in Crain's Detroit Business, Snyder spoke out in defense of the New Energy to Reinvent and Diversify Fund (NERD), a foundation he started to promote various charitable causes. Various reports indicated that NERD paid $4,200 to cover Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr's stay at a hotel and that the fund is also paying for Orr's flights home to see his family in Maryland on the weekends.

When asked about whether taxpayers should be concerned about this at an event at the Michigan State University club, Snyder indicated that it was an appropriate use of the organization's money and that it was actually saving people money.

"We've been very clear it's all legal, it's all been presented, the information that's required," Snyder said. "It doesn't go to my personal benefit, it's actually offsetting costs of government, so people should feel comfortable with that."

NERD is registered as a social welfare, or 501(c)(4), organization, meaning that donors can contribute to the fund anonymously. Federal tax records show that the organization raised $368,000 in 2012, down from the $1.3 million it received in 2011. It had total expenses of $590,453 last year, compared with spending of $865,830 in 2011.

You can read the full story in Crain's Detroit Business.

9 Sobering Stats About Fraud

2013-09-24T13:14:00.001-04:00

Every nonprofit manager knows that fraud is a bad thing but too many operate under the belief that it can never happen to them. It's that attitude that can lead to fraud occurring in the first place.

Managers can’t eliminate human weakness, but they can be vigilant in preventing fraud or, if necessary, dealing with it right away. Further, prevention can be helped in part by awareness throughout the organization.

During the recent AICPA Not-for-Profit Industry Conference, Mitchell Lewis, David McRoberts and William Mellon shared several statistics regarding fraud, taken from the Association of Fraud Examiners 2012 Global Fraud Survey (which includes for-profits). Get ready to be demoralized:

Asset misappropriation schemes made up 87 percent of reported cases.
The typical organization loses 5 percent to fraud each year.
Reported frauds last approximately 18 months before detection.
Some 77 percent of frauds were committed by individuals in one of the following six departments: accounting, operations, sales, executive/upper management, customer service, purchasing.
Owners/executives and managers committed median losses at $573,000 and $180,000, respectively.
The median loss caused by occupational fraud was $140,000.
Median losses for nonprofits totaled $100,000.
Approximately 85 percent of fraudsters are first-time offenders.
Approximately 54 percent of fraudsters were between the ages of 31 and 45.

Webinar: Has Your Nonprofit Outgrown Quickbooks?

2013-09-18T15:34:00.000-04:00

Update: Missed today's webinar? Not to worry, you can view the complete slides and recording on our online library.

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Over the last year or so, Intacct Corporation has worked with us on a number of informative webinars on the current world of nonprofit financials. They are joining us for another session on one of the more popular accounting programs available: QuickBooks.

"Has Your Nonprofit Outgrown QuickBooks? Taking Financial Management to the Next Level" is the latest in our series of free webinars with Intacct. Many organizations use QuickBooks because it's easy, well known, and it simply works. But as your organization moves beyond the entry level, QuickBooks may hold you back -- slowing growth and draining productivity. Change is hard but this webinar will help you start the transition of moving to a new accounting system.

Here's what you will be learning during this webinar with speaker Joan Benson, Sr. Product Manager, Nonprofit Industry at Intacct:

Why you need a true nonprofit accounting solution.
Five signs your organization has outgrown its small business accounting solution.
How to evaluate the true costs of staying with QuickBooks (hint: it's not just the software).
How the cloud makes it easy to move to a true fund accounting system.

Register today to get your nonprofit financials back on the right track. The webinar begins on Sept. 19 at 2:00 p.m. EST.