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1. Board Governance Resources great list of eight resources from Susan Hammond, sc Hammond Advisors

2. Free nonprofit tools from 10 different experts! from the Fundraising Coach

10 of us have gotten together to offer:

Image by Getty Images via [...]]]>

Christmas is just around the corner, I am happy to spend some time with my family, my daughter is home for a few days, and we have chosen to go to the Museum of Science today to see the Pompeii exhibit, as a family…just like we use to when they were young(er).

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

1. Facebook Timeline Covers To Spread Your Organization’s Brand? A good idea or not? from Beth’s Blog

Last week,  Facebook rolled out the Facebook Timeline to all users.   While the timeline has the potential to embarrass some users who might have inappropriate photos buried along their timeline,  the cover image might be an opportunity for nonprofits to engage their champions to help spread the word about the organization.

2. Latest Survey Says People Plan to Donate More to Charity this Holiday Season by Allyson Kapin, Frogloop

Will nonprofits raise more money than last year during their year-end fundraising campaigns? According to a national poll conducted by the American Red Cross, seven out of 10 Americans plan to donate more money to charity this year even in this economic downturn for a third straight holiday season.

3. 17 Ways to Resuscitate a Fading Facebook Page from John Haydon:

If your Facebook Page no longer has the growth and activity it did when you first launched the Page, you’re not alone. Many nonprofits have experienced the similar flatlining due to shifting priorities, turnover, or ineffective strategies.

The good news is that you can start fresh, with a few proven strategies meant to resuscitate your Page:

4. HOW TO: Make the Most of December 31 by socialbutterfly on Inspiring Generosity

According to Network for Good, 33% of giving for the entire year happens on December 30 and 31. Are you ready for the great year-end push? Grab some last minute tips on social fundraising efforts and arm yourself with these three base necessities for a successful year-end giving:

5. Americans Are Most Generous, Global Poll Finds from Chronicles of Philanthropy

Americans give more to help others than the residents of 152 other countries, according to anew global survey. That’s a big change from last year, when the United States ranked No. 5.

The poll, conducted last year with about 1,000 residents in each of 153 countries, asked people whether they had donated money to a charity, volunteered their time, or helped a stranger in the previous month.

Related articles

• Around the Web Dec 16th for NPO’s (thenon-profittoolbox.com)
• Around the Web Dce 9 for NPO’s (thenon-profittoolbox.com)

I chose the group: Non Profit Network – MojaLink to [...]]]>

There are a number of groups I belong to for my non-profit interest (most are for members only, just ask and usually you get accepted):

• Social Media for Nonprofit Organizations
• The Chronicle of Philanthropy
• Non Profit Network – MojaLink
• Jobs in Nonprofits
• On Fundraising, Hosted by AFP
• Massachusetts Nonprofit Network<
• Social Enterprise Alliance Massachusetts Chapter

I chose the group: Non Profit Network – MojaLink to ask my question:

3 comments

Les Matthews • What does the NPO do? What services does it provide, and at what cost to the recipients? To claim 501c3 status, the activities of the organization must not be too similar to those that a for-profit business would undertake — this is known as the Commerciality Doctrine. See http://charitylawyerblog.com/2009/11/08/501c3-organizations-and-the-commerciality-doctrine/.

Assuming there is no reason to not pursue 501c3 tax-exempt status, you will need to file Articles of Incorporation with the state in which you wish to headquarter US operations. Here’s a short Wiki on setting it up: http://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-501c3-Nonprofit-Organization

Sandy Deja • U.S. Federal tax law generally does not allow tax deductions for contributions to foreign charities. Although the IRS will grant 501(c)(3) status to a US group created to carry on charitable activities in another country, the IRS will deny a 501(c)(3) application from a group formed only to support a named charity in another country. Giving 501(c)(3) status to these organizations would make it too easy for taxpayers to skirt the law.

Since your proposed 501(c)(3) would make grants to foreign charitable organizations, you will have to show the IRS that your organization is not controlled by, or otherwise obligated to transfer donations to, any foreign entity. Revenue Ruling 63-252 gives five examples of U.S. charities that transmit funds to foreign charitable organizations. Three do not qualify under 501(c)(3), but two do. Pay close attention to the details of this ruling when structuring any program of foreign grants by a domestic charity. (Strangely, the IRS has not reproduced this ruling on its website. Find it in a law library, or here:[http://501cfreebook.com/Rev._Rul_PD97.html].)

J M Ventura • What is your aim ? get into U S A with your N G O ‘operation’? Or get money from U S A donors? If you just want U S A money, you can go to U S A fund raiser with similar programs to pass on ‘your’ donations after a commission. As stated, for a Peru based N G O it is difficult to get U S A tax exemption. The U S A intermediaries do get it! You need an agreement with the U S A fund raiser – and than put the U S A address on your web for donations- the money than MAY come your way – via U S A .

Hardly seems like December in New England, we have had days in the 50′s, and just a few hints of winter, more like the Christmases in LA…thinking it will NOT be a “white Christmas here in the Boston area

1. Nonprofit Governance: Why It Matters to Attend Board Meetings [...]]]>

Image by Heather Burgess via Flickr

Hardly seems like December in New England, we have had days in the 50′s, and just a few hints of winter, more like the Christmases in LA…thinking it will NOT be a “white Christmas here in the Boston area

1. Nonprofit Governance: Why It Matters to Attend Board Meetings from Susan Hammond, scHammond:

Many board members give little thought to what happens if they don’t attend a board meeting.  Here are six implications to consider, some more weighty than others:

2. 2 easy ways to get free PR in 2012 from Marc Pitman, The Fundraising Coach:

No matter how big your marketing budget is, chances are great that you could use more exposure. More postitive exposure!

I know for nonprofits, it’s much easier to fundraise when the organization is getting positive press. And it’s great for donors to see people from your organization included among the experts quoted in an article. It reassures them that they made a great investment when they gave a gift to you.

3. How to bootstrap your organization without sacrificing results: Tips and tricks for making the most of the funds you’ve got
from Socialbrite: Guest post by Emily Dubner Founder & CEO, Baking for Good:

Whether you are a for-profit or nonprofit business, you will always be dependent on cash flow to grow your business, but just because you don’t always have the funds you want doesn’t mean you need to scale back everywhere.

Here are my top tips and tricks for bootstrapping your business or nonprofit without sacrificing results.

4. Coming soon on Twitter: Enhanced brand profiles for nonprofits from Socialbrite, John Haydon:

Twitter just announced that they will offer enhanced profile pages to “increase your brand’s Twitter presence by prominently featuring your most important content and visually branding your page.”

Like Facebook Pages and Google Plus Business Profiles, Twitter Brand Pages profiles are public.

5. And just to be in the Holiday Spirit: Get Some Face Time Over the Holidays from Inspiring Generosity by socialbutterfly:

Giving can be impersonal. You write a check. You drop items off. You put some cash into the collection. And you walk away. This year, challenge yourself to go a step beyond what you’re used to doing. Challenge yourself to get uncomfortable by getting personal.

Investing in face time not only helps boost your mental health, but it puts you in someone else’s shoes and life experience. Though volunteering efforts are on the rise in some age groups, go beyond your average volunteer opportunity.

Related articles

• Around the Web Dce 9 for NPO’s (thenon-profittoolbox.com)
• Around the Web Dec 2 for NPO’s (thenon-profittoolbox.com)

Aha, December is in full swing.

1. 3 Nonprofit Lessons from The Princess Bride a fun post from Marc Pitman

But did you know there are nonprofit lessons embedded in the story? Here are three I’ve identified

Read the comments for more

2. Why your nonprofit needs a personality and NOT a brand from John Haydon

PRESENTERS:

Mathew Paisner Altruhelp: brand yourself, volunteer, connect with others by becoming a social entrepreneur. Still in Beta.

Mark Rogers, BoardProspects: the link betweek Boards, prospects and possibilities

Michael Sattler, Cauzoom: an online community funding tool – [...]]]>

Last week we attenended Social Good 2.0. It was a morning spent with businesses looking to help the non-profit community. Check out these companies:

PRESENTERS:

Mathew Paisner Altruhelp: brand yourself, volunteer, connect with others by becoming a social entrepreneur. Still in Beta.

• 
• Slides: http://www.slideshare.net/Dylan-Cauzoom/altruhelp
• @MattyP910

Mark Rogers, BoardProspects: the link betweek Boards, prospects and possibilities

• 
• Slides:  http://www.slideshare.net/Dylan-Cauzoom/board-prospects
• @Mark_BoardProsp

Michael Sattler, Cauzoom: an online community funding tool – for groups of people who want to pool their resources to improve their neighborhoods. We make it fun and easy to create projects that improve communities and share them with social networks to raise awareness and support.

• 
• Slides: http://www.slideshare.net/Dylan-Cauzoom/cauzoom
• @sattler360

Jonah Lupton  and Nick Walton, CharityAlly: is a cause-marketing platform for nonprofit organizations to maximize fundraising & awareness from donors while partnering w/ companies to create brand marketing campaigns & corporate giving opportunities through social media & philanthropy

• 
• Slides: http://www.slideshare.net/Dylan-Cauzoom/charityally
• @JonahLupton
• @NicholasAWalton

Vinay Gidwaney, DailyFeats oing small, positive actions, every day, adds up to big change. We will actually give you rewards, or donations to nonprofits, for being a good person. For real.

• 
• Slides: http://www.slideshare.net/Dylan-Cauzoom/dailyfeats
• @vgidwaney

SPONSORS

Leigh Tucker, AMS

• @NonprofitCFOs

Jon Carson, BiddingForGood

• @BiddingForGood

Alec Stern, ConstantContact

• @AlecStern

ORGANIZERS

Valerie McSorley, Northeast Sponsorship Network

• @AvantGardeVal

Image by UggBoy♥UggGirl [ PHOTO // WORLD // TRAVEL

So here are some of my pick to [...]]]>

via Flickr”]

Image by UggBoy♥UggGirl [ PHOTO // WORLD // TRAVEL

So here are some of my pick to get you thru:

1. From Marc Pitman, The Fundraising Coach: There’s still time! (suggestions on how and what to do):

And if we’re honest, as fundraisers we’re tired. It’s been a long year. Wouldn’t it be easier to coast through December and get a fresh start in January.

No!
ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR EXCUSES…AND GET TO WORK FUNDRAISING ANYWAY

2. How Are You Inspiring New Givers? from Inspiring Generosity and Socialbutterfly:

“Individuals today are no more generous than their predecessors were over four decades ago,” according to a new report released by Blackbaud titled Growing Philanthropy in the United States. The report outlines 32 recommendations for nonprofits on how to increase overall giving organized around the following four themes:

1. Enhancing the quality of donor relationships
2. Developing public trust and confidence in the sector
3. Identifying new audiences, channels, and forms of giving with strong potential for growth
4. Improving the quality of fundraising training and development

3.  From Susan Hammond, of scHammond Advisors: something that we often don’t think about: Nonprofit Governance: Twelve Elements of Good Board Minutes.

Board minutes are legal documents of the organization and subject to discovery in the event of a lawsuit.  Someone reading the minutes should be able to tell what decisions were made and why.  It is not necessary to record the meeting verbatim however.  Too much detail and you put individual directors at risk.

4. Beth’s Blog: How non-profits become experts at Social Branding Guest Post by Simon Mainwaring, Founder/Author WE FIRST

There are two elements critical to the success of any branding effort, non-profit or otherwise. The first is compelling brand storytelling, and the second is fluency in social technology. Unfortunately few brands effectively master both, as veteran storytellers struggle to deeply understand social technology, or digital natives rush to emerging technology only to overlook the importance of storytelling. Here’s how a non-profit effectively combines them both.

5. 3 Paradigm Shifts That Will Boost Your Nonprofit’s Social Media by John Haydon on Inspiring Generosity:

Regardless of where you’re at in becoming a Networked Nonprofit, you can always improve how your organization uses social media.

Here are three ways you can dramatically improve your results by changing your perspective.

Related articles

• Around the web 11/18 for NPO’s (thenon-profittoolbox.com)
• Around the web Nov 11 for NPO’s (thenon-profittoolbox.com)