Fundraising

This checklist was prepared by Jane Kendall, president of the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits and a trustee of the Kathleen Price Bryan Family Fund at the time she wrote this. These tips came from more than 1,100 nonprofit leaders in the U.S. and four other countries. They were gleaned through in-depth interviews conducted as part of a W.K. Kellogg Foundation National Fellowship and through 20 focus groups held during the grassroots creation of the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits.

Planning to start an endowment? Read this series of articles by Kim Klein for Grassroots Fundraising Journal to find answers to your questions about whether it is appropriate for your situation and how to best go about establishing an endowment.

Charitable solicitation compliance is not optional. It is the law. Charitable solicitation is regulated on the state-level and the requirements vary by state. Forty-one states require registration and four additional states require disclosure statements to be included on solicitations. Charitable solicitation can take on many forms of asking for a donation, including fundraising online. In addition to registration, many states require foreign qualification of the nonprofit corporation and appointment of a registered agent.

A memorandum by Dianne Chipps Bailey of Robinson Bradshaw to describe the state and federal rules applicable to the solicitation of charitable contributions by Section 501(c)(3) organizations in the State of North Carolina.

Charitable Solicitation - Licensing, Disclosures and Acknowledgement (North Carolina)

Used strategically, crowdfunding helps nonprofits build meaningful engagement, inform their work, spread their messages, and expand their donor base to increase their overall funding and impact. Crowdfunding can still still a relatively new concept, and many nonprofits face the same questions when considering it for the first time. The Stanford Social Innovation Review looks at some of the most common questions: Crowdfunding Campaigns for Nonprofits.

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.

A series of guidelines by the Association of Fundraising Professionals which "explores a way to frame the conversation about your board's give-or-get policy so that you can gain consensus from all board members and come to a satisfactory conclusion."

Getting Your Board Members to Give, Get, or Get Off 

Ethical standards and principles are the foundation for maintaining public trust in your organization and the nonprofit sector as a whole. The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) first published its code of ethical standards for fundraising professionals in 1964, and "believes that ethical behavior fosters the development and growth of fundraising professionals and the fundraising profession, and enhances philanthropy and volunteerism."

This example job description provides a starting place, but is by no means all-inclusive. Elements beyond the standard categories which are essential to writing your job description include: the expectations of the organization for the Development Director's performance outcomes, minimum qualificiations such as knowledge of charitable solicitation laws, and language compliant with the Americans with Disbilities Act.

Investment Policies for Nonprofits - "The board of directors of a nonprofit has a fiduciary responsibility to protect the assets of the nonprofit and ensure that the nonprofit's operations and activities use the assets to further the nonprofit’s mission.