One of the primary responsibilities of a nonprofit board is to hire and supervise the executive director (if there is one), including setting appropriate compensation every year. Setting compensation is important for two reasons, one legal and one equitable. Legally, the IRS doesn’t like to see executive directors being paid … Read More
One thing board members, especially of nonprofits with 1-3 employees, often have trouble wrapping their minds around is the idea that they are an employer. That seems too much like being a business, not a nonprofit. But the organization is an employer with the same responsibilities as any for-profit employer, … Read More
Having volunteers seems like a no-brainer for every nonprofit, but there are some things to think about when you do. In no particular order, a few of them are: Get applicable releases from volunteers before they start work, starting with a medical release. For minors, get a photo release from … Read More
The internet has been a real boon to organizations, both businesses and nonprofits, that need a little help getting started with documents. There are all kinds of templates and samples out there, generally free for the borrowing. Just remember that you often get what you pay for and choose your … Read More
The day-to-day work of a nonprofit is (or should be) managed by the executive director, which is managed by the board of directors, which is managed by the president. Too many board presidents, especially of smaller nonprofits, think that they manage the board by running the monthly or quarterly meetings, … Read More
Most people volunteer for a nonprofit board because they believe in the work the organization does, knowing that they will be asked to help with fund-raising and programming. However, there are several other board tasks that are vital to the success of the organization – and that can draw unpleasant … Read More
The by-laws of most nonprofits include provisions for an executive committee, but not all boards make regular use of them. For smaller boards that meet regularly, there may be no need for an executive committee; for large boards or those that meet less often, they are a way to help … Read More
Nonprofit boards vary wildly in their effectiveness, from barely functional to highly effective. One thing that sets the effective boards apart from the less so is a solid understanding of the board’s function and how each board member fits in. No piece of paper can change the culture of a … Read More