Posts Tagged ‘Nonprofit’

Fiscal Sponsorship: 6 Ways to Do It Right by Gregory Colvin

Nonprofit tax law expert Gregory Colvin brings his 1993 work up to date. This expanded edition, with 20-plus pages of new material and an added index, includes recent cases, the latest developments and more in-depth analysis of concepts that were initially explained in the first edition, which has become the bible in the field.

“Greg Colvin’s book is simply the best resource one could want in understanding small and emerging nonprofit activities. –Drummond Pike, President, The Tides Center

“An update ‘must-have’ for every nonprofit interested in providing this valuable service to its clients and the public.” — –L. Wade Black, Associate Director,

Greg Colvin’s book remains an essential part of the library of every grantseeker considering some form of fiscal sponsorship.” –Kirke Wilson, Former President, Rosenberg Foundation

NPC: Tell us a little bit about your organization, American Bible Society. Why was it started?

Autumn Black: American Bible Society exists to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. The American Bible Society also equips churches and mission organizations with Bibles, Bible study resources and educational materials to teach others about the Bible’s life-changing message.

NPC: Who does it serve?

Autumn Black: American Bible Society serves people of all faiths, no faith, and across the Christian faith—Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant—American Bible Society increases people’s engagement with God’s Word.

NPC: How long have you been in operation?

Autumn Black: American Bible Society is one of the nation’s oldest nonprofit organizations. It has been in operation since 1816. We were established in 1816 and maintain a strong, nearly 200-year old history that is closely intertwined with the history of a nation first shaped only a couple of decades earlier.

NPC: How many people did you serve your first year? And, this year?

Autumn Black: American Bible Society partners with 145 national Bible Societies working across 200 countries and territories through the United Bible Societies, founded by American Bible Society in 1946, and together we have served and touched a total of 5,100,831 for fiscal year 2009 alone. This number has grown tremendously since American Bible Society’s inception in 1816 where we served 6,410 lives. This year we plan on continuing to provide more than 5 million Bibles and Bible study resources to people in some 30 countries so they can experience the Bible’s life changing message.

NPC: What is your most difficult challenge as a nonprofit?

Autumn Black: Fundraising is one of our most difficult challenges. In these tough economic times, donor’s giving may get smaller, but their hope for effective charity actually gets larger. They see the needs and struggles of people and want to respond in a way that clearly makes a difference. We are focused on serving these donors well, extending their reach and the good news of the Bible where needed most.

NPC: What was your most difficult challenge starting out?

Autumn Black: From the beginning, the American Bible Society’s mission was to respond to the spiritual needs of a fast-growing, diverse population in a rapidly expanding nation.
From the new frontier beyond the Appalachian Mountains, missionaries in America sent back dire reports of towns that did not have a single copy of the Bible to share among its citizens. State and local Bible Societies did not have the resources, network, or capability of filling this growing need. This was one of our most difficult challenges starting out and ever since American Bible Society has committed itself to organizational and technological innovation to make the Bible available where it is needed most.

NPC: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a nonprofit?

Autumn Black: The most important thing, when starting a nonprofit, is having a passion for your cause. American Bible Society works hard to challenge the notion that the Bible is a dusty, outdated rule book by helping people engage with God’s Word to make sense of life.

NPC: How can people get involved?

Autumn Black: People can get started right away by visiting American Bible Society’s website and signing up for a scripture journey at http://journeys.americanbible.org/.

NPC: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Autumn Black: We hope to always be a resource to churches and individuals who have engaged with and experienced the Bible for themselves and now passionately and enthusiastically join us in making the Bible as widespread as the water that cover the sea — so that all may experience its life changing message.

Autumn Black is the Director of Public Relations for American Bible Society. For more information about this organization, please visit the website at www.americanbible.org.

Every Nonprofit’s Guide to Publishing: Creating Newsletters, Magazines & Websites People Will Read by Cheryl Woodard and Lucia Hwang

Practical and hands on, this book shows you how to overcome inexperience and budget constraints — and produce publications that effectively promote your cause. From developing an idea to distributing the final publication, you’ll get the information you need. Find out how to:

* design and print engaging magazines or newsletters

* create an appealing website

* locate the best freelancers and vendors

* develop successful ad sales and fundraising strategies

* meet IRS and postal requirements for nonprofits

* use time-tested publishing ideas and resources

The book includes practical suggestions from veteran insiders, whose experiences range from tiny nonprofit startups to large, established organizations. The CD-ROM provides essential forms, checklists, schedules, worksheets, spreadsheets and more.

The One Page Business Plan for Non-Profit Organizations by James Horan

The edition of the One Page Business Plan Series has been specifically designed for Non-Profits. If you are responsible for founding or managing a non-profit organization… this book was written just for you! Now you can easily write a draft plan on a single page in less than two hours. Thousands of non-profits have already successfully written and implemented One Page Plans with this simple and effective planning methodology. This special version of The One Page Business Plan has been called “The One Page Promise” because it helps directors, boards, management and volunteers clearly define and live up to their promises at organizational, departmental, project and program levels… all in fast, easy to communicate and actionable terms!

NPC: Tell us a little bit about your organization, Girlstart. Why was it started?

Julie Shannan: Girlstart is a nonprofit organization created to empower girls to excel in math, science, and technology. Founded in 1997 in Austin, Texas, Girlstart has quickly established itself as a best-case practices leader in empowering, educating, and motivating girls to enjoy and become more proficient in math, science and technology.


NPC: Who does it serve?

Julie Shannan: Girlstart serves 1st-12th grade girls and families


NPC: How long have you been in operation?

Julie Shannan: Since 1997


NPC: How many people did you serve your first year? And, this year?

Julie Shannan: Since our inception, we have served over 20,000 girls. We average about 1,200 girls per year (not counting families and professional development). Our first year we served 25 girls in our after school program.


NPC: What is your most difficult challenge as a nonprofit?

Julie Shannan: Fundraising


NPC: What was your most difficult challenge starting out?

Julie Shannan: Creating a brand that girls and families could recognize and trust. Something that appeals to girls and parents both!


NPC: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a nonprofit?

Julie Shannan: Look around and see if there is something out there already doing the service that you want to provide. If so, partner with them instead of compete with them. If not, make sure the community has the need for your services.


NPC: How can people get involved?

Julie Shannan: We are always looking for volunteers to help in the office behind the scenes, or at our family science extravaganzas leading a fun science booth, or assisting with our after school programs. We also have high school volunteers helping out during our summer camps.


NPC: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Julie Shannan: Girlstart is committed to changing the way girls perceive science, technology, engineering and math and we need everyone’s help making that happen! Everyone can encourage a girl in their life, let them know they are smart enough to excel in these subjects, and they can have a rewarding career doing something they love.


Julie Shannan is the Deputy Director of Girlstart. For more information about this organization, please visit the website at www.girlstart.org.

Nonprofit Governance: Law, Practices, and Trends by Bruce Hopkins

In this comprehensive, one-stop resource, Hopkins and Gross deftly summarize the law that exists and explain and evaluate the many good governance principles that have been promulgated. Nonprofit Governance helps leaders and managers of nonprofit organizations, and their lawyers, accountants, and advisors, to:

* Understand the legal backdrop for nonprofit governance
* Sift through the numerous good governance principles and
guidelines
* Select the ones that most appropriately apply to their particular
organization
* Devise suitable policies and procedures
* Improve their operations and effectiveness
* Undertake a comprehensive governance legal audit
* Be in a position to file Forms 990 that cast them in the best
possible light regarding nonprofit governance

Nonprofit Governance is a must-read for anyone facing good governance decisions in a nonprofit organization and is lost in the maze of conflicting principles, ever-increasing policies and procedures, murky law, and the intensity of the IRS in insisting on adoption of various principles in the absence of legal requirements for them.

Peachtree Premium Accounting for Non-Profits 2010 by Sage

Peachtree by Sage Premium Accounting for Nonprofits 2010 provides advanced accounting and analysis tools to help improve the operations of nonprofit organizations. Its multi-user option* helps improve productivity with screen-level security and a clear audit trail. A pre-configured chart of accounts and customizable financial statements make it easy to get started. Analysis tools include multiple-program reporting, encumbrance tracking, 145 customizable reports, and Crystal Reports® 2008*. Nonprofit-specific reports include Donor/Grantor Summary. Prior-period locking feature and audit trails help ensure the integrity of your financial records and deter fraud. Nonprofit features include fundraising mail/merge templates.

Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits (J-B US non-Franchise Leadership) by Leslie Crutchfield and Heather McLeod Grant

An innovative guide to how great nonprofits achieve extraordinary social impact. What makes great nonprofits great? Authors Crutchfield and McLeod Grant searched for the answer over several years, employing a rigorous research methodology which derived from books on for-profits like Built to Last. They studied 12 nonprofits that have achieved extraordinary levels of impact—from Habitat for Humanity to the Heritage Foundation—and distilled six counterintuitive practices that these organizations use to change the world. This book has lessons for all readers interested in creating significant social change, including nonprofit managers, donors and volunteers.

Bylaws: Writing, Amending, Revising by Joyce L. Stephens

The bylaws, sometimes called constitution and bylaws, is the governing document of the organization. The bylaws specify how the organization will be managed, who shall be the members and how they shall be chosen. This document describes the purpose of the organization and how various matters shall be handled. This book contains: How to write understandable and usable bylaws using a simple and tested formula; how to write and adopt amendments without causing more
problems; how to chair a meeting to consider amendments or a revision; how to instruct committees; how to write and adopt a revision; and scripts for handling these and other motions. The information in this publication is directed to nonprofit voluntary organizations. Organizations which require the help of an attorney to write their bylaws include nonprofit organizations with very large purses, those providing personal or social services which could lead to legal difficulties, condominium and homeowner associations which are
governed by strict state statutes, and business organizations. However, regardless of what type of organization you have, this book will help you to understand the process better, so that you can work with the attorney more knowledgeably.

Making the News: A Guide for Activists and Nonprofits by Jason Salzman

At a time when more and more people are becoming activists, this thoroughly revised and updated edition of Making the News
explains how to generate news coverage of any important issue or
nonprofit cause – and to do so within a reasonable budget. Based on
interviews with professional journalists and media-savvy activists,
this easy-to-use handbook describes how to stage media events, write
distinctive news releases, contact reporters, deliver soundbites, and
much more. Now including the latest information about online media
coverage – including news Web sites, viral e-mail, and more – this new
edition will also insure a media edge in the Internet age. The
handbook's expanded sections on aggressive tactics, including extensive
tips on how to create newsworthy visual imagery, provides everything
needed to transform standard media events into spectacles that
reporters won't ignore.