Usually, yes. We have no experience in international law nor nonprofit administration in other countries. But we do know how nonprofits, boards of directors, donor relations, and more in general, so we can give you broad "best practices" guidance if your organization is outside the United States.
Yes! We are experts at scanning a community to find who's doing what - and doing it well. Once we get to know you and the causes that you care about, we can help you find the nonprofits who can take your donations, make an impact, and report back on their progress!
Absolutely. There are many ways to donate without the charity knowing your identity. We can help you set up those anonymous vehicles or we can be the go-between negotiating the gift. Once the details are finalized, you can stay behind-the-scenes or you can go public. Either way, the charity will appreciate your gift and put it to its greatest use!
Most of think of "nonprofit" as the broad term - it can be for any of the 29 IRS 501(c)___ types of nonprofits, ranging from Chambers to veterans organizations to food pantries to cemeteries. If an organization is a 501(c)___, it is exempt from paying federal income tax.
"Charities" is a term more commonly used to describe social services, most of which are charitable organizations. Social services provide a variety of services to alleviate human suffering and provide care, such as food, rental assistance, shelter, health services, prescriptions, mental health counseling, religious organizations, and more.
Education is a charitable activity, but not all educational institutions are 501c3 charities - some are for-profit.
Many nonprofits have a 501c3 designation but may not be thought of as charity, such as museums, art programs, and theater guilds.
If a nonprofit has an IRS 501c3 designation, the donor can deduct donations to that nonprofit from their personal/business federal tax filing within the extent of the federal tax code for that given year.
It is also important to note that IRS 501c3 organizations range from the tiny food pantry that's run by volunteers and only open two afternoons a week all the way up to major hospitals and universities.
So while the terms "nonprofit" and "charity" can be interchangeable, it is important to determine the organization's 501(c)____ status. A list of the 29 IRS 501(c)___ designations can be found here: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/other-tax-exempt-organizations
Please don't feel you need to learn all of this - that's why we're here!
Absolutely! And we can assure you that you are not alone!
Our founder, Julianne Buck, teaches a Certificate of Nonprofit Administration and she can help you understand and implement:
- your 3 Duties of Loyalty, Care, and Obedience
- nonprofit Best Management Practices
- the roles and responsibilities of board members and officers
- the policies that all nonprofits are required to have
- nonprofit financials
- the relationship between board and staff
- a board's fundraising role
- and more!
Helping you better understand the nonprofit board world can be done as one-on-one coaching, as a board retreat, or small group virtual sessions.
Let's start at the very beginning and bring you up to speed so that you can not only serve, but lead!