GoFundMe Charity to Shut Down

GoFundMe Charity, the fundraising-dedicated website launched in November 2019, is now scheduled to shut down on September 30, 2021, when it will merge with GoFundMe.com. The last day to start a new fundraising campaign on the platform is June 30, 2021. Nonprofits have through December 31, 2021, to view and export their donor and fundraiser…

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Time to Replenish: Are Your Operating Reserves at a Good Level?

Operating reserves — generally, unrestricted assets you can easily tap — are often called “rainy day funds.” But stable reserves are critical for far more pressing reasons than the metaphorical rainy day. Many nonprofits, for example, have drawn on their operating reserves since the spring of 2020 to cope with the economic backlash of the…

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Building Blocks for Effective Board Membership

The pandemic and ensuing economic downturn have put many nonprofits on shaky ground. In crises such as these, solid board leadership is more essential than ever — critical decisions affecting an organization’s long-term survival must be made. As your board members attempt to stabilize the organization and build for a successful future, they should bear…

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5 Ways to Keep Remote Workers Connected

With many nonprofit employees continuing to work at home, engagement and morale can suffer. But more than a year into the pandemic, some best practices have emerged for combating feelings of isolation and disconnection that undermine productivity. Here are five: 1. Stay in regular contact Perhaps the most important step you can take is to…

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COVID-19 Relief Benefits Donors

The COVID-19 relief legislation signed into law in December 2020 includes some provisions that could be a boost to donors and the nonprofits they support. For example, it extends the temporary “universal charitable deduction” for taxpayers who don’t itemize their deductions through 2021. The deduction was limited to $300 for cash contributions to qualified charities…

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IRS clarifies royalty exception to UBIT

Provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act have brought renewed attention to nonprofits’ potential liability for unrelated business income tax (UBIT). Organizations generally are subject to a 21% tax on unrelated income, but exceptions apply — including one for royalties. Although “royalties” aren’t defined in the U.S tax code or regulations, a recent IRS…

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IRS Rules: Restructuring in Today’s Regulatory Climate

Some nonprofits have been forced to restructure their organizations due to the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, IRS rule changes from a couple of years ago make the restructuring process far easier than it once was. If you’re considering such a change, here’s what you need to know. How have the rules changed?…

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Working remotely: Don’t neglect internal controls

The pandemic has forced many nonprofits to change to work-at-home mode for extended periods, and some may remain there even as COVID-19 recedes. This shift in operations offers potential advantages, but it’s critical that organizations institute new, or adapt existing, internal controls to protect their finances and accounting-related data. Here are some of the most…

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What We Know So Far About COVID Philanthropy

COVID-19 spurred more than $11.9 billion in global philanthropy in the first six months of 2020. That’s just one of the findings in the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and information service Candid’s new report, Philanthropy and COVID-19 in the first half of 2020. In this report, Candid and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy explore the…

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Surge in virtual events lowers revenue expectations

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted fundraising from traditional events, such as annual galas and walkathons, to virtual happenings. But, according to research from the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum, the revenues raised from these events often fall below projected revenues. The organization surveyed 120 North American nonprofits and found two-thirds already had hosted a virtual campaign in…

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