Resource Library

A report based on NC data and insights to help nonprofits and their leaders navigate executive transitions.

Charitable organizations have long used raffles as an effective way to raise support. Conducting a raffle seems simple enough, at least on the surface, right? But before undertaking a raffle, you’d be well advised to familiarize yourself with the requirements outlined in this update.

Looking to develop a risk management program? Here are five key steps in the Risk Management Process.

An organizational fraud policy facilitates the development of controls to help detect and prevent fraud against your organization.

This guide explores the expanding world of volunteer screening, identifies relevant laws as well as fundamental privacy protections, and offers suggestions for organizations and volunteers.

Many states require charitable nonprofits as well as any paid professional "fundraising counsel" or consultant hired to assist the nonprofit with fundraising activities, to register with the state before the nonprofit or professionals solicits any donations. Additionally, many states require nonprofits that enter into agreement to share the revenue from sales activity with another organization to file with the state to disclose that fundraising activity. All in all - it's complicated!

For the most recent and comprehensive treatment available on compliance issues surrounding auctions, including tools you can put to use, see this toolkit from the Guilford Nonprofit Consortium.

Most small tax-exempt organizations, whose annual gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less, are required to electronically submit Form 990-N, also known as the e-Postcard, unless they choose to file a complete Form 990 or Form 990-EZ instead.

The IRS released Notice 2015-17 containing long hoped for penalty relief and guidance regarding employer medical reimbursement arrangements.

Understanding a nonprofit’s costs is necessary in order for charitable nonprofits to be financially sustainable. Rather than reporting artificially low costs, or ignoring what it really costs to deliver programs and services, the National Council of Nonprofits is encouraging all nonprofits and board members to model transparency of full costs.

Responsibilities for filing a federal returns, reporting and disclosure documents once you have received tax-exempt status.

Earning trust through financial transparency and accountability goes beyond what the law requires, but let's start there: Nonprofits are required to disclose certain financial information to the public upon request; board members have access to financial information in order to fulfill their fiduciary duty to the nonprofit.

View IRS links for Forms 990, 990-EZ, and 990-PF, their schedules and instructions.

"The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rules known as the Uniform Guidance went into effect at the end of 2014 [...] the rules require that governments pay their nonprofit contractors reasonable indirect costs."

Whether your nonprofit is more like an intimate family or an enormous well-oiled machine, fraud can occur, and when it happens, it can damage your reputation, relationships with funders, and staff morale. In other words, you can't afford it.