Outside Resource

In the nonprofit arena, charitable solicitation licenses are a necessity for certain fundraising efforts. If you are an organization or individual that asks the public for contributions or donations to support a charitable purpose, a charitable solicitation license ("CSL") is needed, unless specifically exempt by law. As many states have laws regulating the solicitation of funds for charitable purposes, it is important to check the requirements for each state your organization operates in to ensure compliance.

Your Form 990 asks whether a nonprofit has a "gift acceptance policy" that requires the review of any "non-standard gifts" (gifts other than cash or check). Additionally, a written gift acceptance policy can help manage the expectations of donors, (while treating them with respect) and also serve as guidance for board and staff members who are either on the asking, or receiving, end of contributions.

When well-crafted, Request for Proposals (RFP) can introduce an organization to high-quality vendor-partners and consultants from outside their established networks and ensure that a project is completed as planned. In An Overview of the RFP Process for Nonprofits, Charities, and Libraries, TechSoup offers basic considerations for each phase of the RFP process. 

Increasingly, nonprofits are turning to more flexible strategic frameworks instead of formal strategic plans to guide their board and staff. BoardSource's infographic, Nonprofit Strategy and Planning by the Numbers, outlines this evolution and describes different strategy and planning options, key qualities of strategic frameworks, and tips on how boards can monitor their progress towards organizational goals.

Effective Board Meetings for Good Governance: A compliation of resources to help you set the stage for meetings that are strategic, outcome-oriented, and productive. (National Council of Nonprofits)

Conducting Meetings

Do you know the proper terminology for nonprofits and boards of directors? The glossary contains important terms that will help you navigate your responsibilities as a board member. Learn more about essential documents used by nonprofits such as articles of incorporation, Form 990, and the difference between a mission and vision statement; legal obligations for board members including conflicts of interest; and governance committees, executive committees, and more common committees within boards of directors. (BoardSource)

Step By Step: A Guide to Achieving Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace (TSNE MissionWorks) provides a seven-phase, step-by-step approach to achieving diversity and inclusiveness in the nonprofit workplace. While this work is ongoing, creating a better and more productive work environment now equips organizations to face future challenges.

A commonly-used tool, the logic model graphically depicts your program, initiative, project, or even the sum total of all of your nonprofit's work. It also serves as a foundation for program planning and evaluation.

Impact is the difference your nonprofit makes: there's the work you do and the results that flow from it. However, nonprofits, grantmakers, and government partners often focus on outcomes. The National Council of Nonprofits has compiled resources and tools for evaluation and measurement of outcomes to help your nonprofit better evaluate your work, measure outcomes and success, and communicate impact.