A key to completing or reviewing the Form 990-PF is to have the required source documents available and organized before you start—even if you are hiring someone to complete the form for you. Categorizing Expenses For easier access to what you need, it can be helpful to categorize expenses throughout the year as follows: Administration... Read More
A foundation must deposit all depository taxes (e.g., employment tax, excise tax, and unrelated business income tax) electronically using the Electronic Funds Transfer. Generally, such transfers are made using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). If the foundation has not yet used EFTPS, enrollment will be required. After the foundation’s information is validated with... Read More
If you believe your foundation’s only asset is money, think again! Whether managed by volunteers or with the help of staff, your foundation is sure to have a range of assets at its disposal: Human assets—The creativity, passion, energy, and resourcefulness of your founders, trustees, and staff create huge potential for impact above and beyond... Read More
What are some key elements of a grantmaking strategy? A mission statement, which is informed by the donor’s intent and objectives A statement of purpose, defined by program interests, geographic focus, grantmaking style A process for accepting, reviewing, and awarding grants A set of guidelines that inform the grantseeking community about what the foundation does... Read More
Two foundations conducted a survey to ask grantseekers how they viewed the foundations’ grantseeking processes and what suggestions they had to improve them. The foundations sent anonymous surveys to 70 grantee organizations; 33 were returned. Respondents were a highly experienced group: nearly 60% had been in the field 10-plus years and 72% were either executive... Read More
General operating support is valuable for many reasons. It: Allows grantee organizations to focus on fulfilling their missions and building infrastructure, rather than on tackling peripheral projects and additional fundraising Serves as a vote of confidence for nonprofit leaders, helping to decrease burnout Lessens the inherent power imbalance between grantor and grantee, and shifts the... Read More