The pace of life for many of us in the not-for-profit sector has become so hectic that we rarely have time to stop to ponder how we are doing. By the time your planned evaluation programs kick in, it is...
Our grant application reflected our best estimates for results and expenses. Take-up was well below our expectations and, therefore, our costs were a lot lower too. But we developed a related program that achieved similar outcomes, sort of, and used...
Much has been made in the press over the last year about the alleged fraudulent use of tax shelter plans by Canadian charities. If you’re at all interested in the charitable sector in this country, then you’ve likely read the...
According to Wikipedia, my beloved and oft-trusted source of all things worth knowing, the established discipline of knowledge management has been around since 1995. Since then, experts claim, companies everywhere jumped headfirst into various knowledge management initiatives, making it a...
Ever wondered what it would be like to go from being an armchair executive to the role of executive director or CEO of a major (or minor) organization for a limited time? Does having the power to decide on the...
Nonprofit organizations are often encouraged to include a lawyer on their board of directors. Afterall, what group couldn't benefit from some free legal advice now and then. But it's not quite as simple as that. Adam Aptowitzer, a lawyer with...
I read that a nonprofit employee recently committed suicide after being confronted with evidence that she had defrauded a nonprofit. Was the nonprofit ethically responsible for leading her into temptation? The responsibility for wrongdoing always rests primarily with the wrongdoer....
Founders of organizations are typically charismatic and driven individuals who inspire others to get involved. As a result of their commitment, a fledgling idea turns into a full-fledged reality. Then the day comes when the founder announces it’s time for...
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) recently published a list of model objects (charitable purposes) that nonprofit organizations can consult before applying for charitable status. Adam Aptowitzer, a lawyer with the Ottawa-based law firm Drache LLP, explains what these model objects...
You agreed on the date of the board meeting at the last meeting and you sent an Outlook Meeting Invitation to ensure each board member had the next meeting date in his or her calendar. You sent out the board...
