Recently, 240 forward-thinking leaders from Ontario’s not-for-profit sector came together at Toronto’s MaRS Centre. They were there to tackle some classic business-type problems with strategies that would strengthen the bottom line and the organizational culture. To take productivity to the next level, they learned, try thinking sideways. Start sharing.
Adam outlines what to expect in the way of taxes, what steps you should take if your charity is named in a will, and how to turn down a charitable bequest.
Want to have a stellar job interview? Avoid these ten common mistakes.
This article offers thirty-five suggestions for reducing risk when using volunteers in your organization.
Follow these tips to be happier at work.
How to identify, manage and resolve board disagreements.
After a decade of supporting a charity, a funder now has different priorities and wants to end their partnership smoothly.
What percentage of Canada’s voluntary/nonprofit sector workforce do you think identify themselves as white/Caucasian? Would you say (a) 22% (b) 78% or (c) 89%? The answer is (c) according to the recent Canada-wide survey of nonprofit employees conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of the HR Council for the Voluntary & Non-profit Sector (HR Council).
Why stories are an effective way to spark change.
Adam explains what a private security is, the benefits of donating securities to charity, and the tax pitfalls you should be aware of.
By the time your planned evaluation programs kick in, it is too late to make adjustments if you drifted inadvertently. In this article, we offer an easy quiz to help you assess whether you are on track.
What to consider when hiring a PR consultant.
The exact definition of supporter marketing still seems up for debate. Some see it as fundraising with a twist, others see it more as donor retention. One thing is for sure: supporter marketing is a combination of fundraising and marketing.
Want your resume to shine? Avoid these common mistakes.
Explaining why people stay in jobs that they don’t like.
An explanation of the term talent as it applies to your employees along with criteria to assess it.
Thomas Friedman, in his book The World is Flat, discusses the incredible impact globalization has had on our lives and the way we work. But what about its effect on philanthropy and fundraising?
When using a foundation’s money for unapproved programs and activities, be prepared to explain your actions.
Contradictory to their duties and obligations to the organization, some staff and volunteers actually avoid soliciting major gifts. Here are the ten most commonly asserted reasons – actually, they are excuses – for not pursuing major gifts.
Adam weighs in on whether or not it is a good idea to donate your RRSPs to charity, the tax consequences upon doing so, and the complications a charity may face when accepting RRSPs.
Much has been made in the press over the last year about the alleged fraudulent use of tax shelter plans by Canadian charities.
This month, CharityVillage speaks with one of Canada’s foremost career coaches, Alan Kearns of CareerJoy.
After speaking with numerous not-for-profits, it’s apparent that not everyone has embraced the concept of knowledge management. Why is that? Could nonprofits benefit from making knowledge management an integral part of their organizational structure?
This article offers a checklist for you to use to delineate your organization’s roles and responsibilities; we offer some suggestions as guidelines that come from our experiences of working with high performing boards.
As a new graduate and having just taken a new position with a nonprofit organization, this reader wonders how to be accepted by the rest of the staff – who seem unwilling to listen to new ideas.
This article explains why you should be focused on volunteer retention rather than volunteer recruitment.
Five top strategies for keeping employees happy.
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?
Adam explains when it is a good idea to have a lawyer on your board of directors, what an organization can and can’t expect from a lawyer serving on its board, and the conflicts of interest that may arise.
What safeguards should be in place to ensure a nonprofit’s assets are secure against fraud?
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 them to move on…
The CRA recently published a list of model objects (charitable purposes) that nonprofit organizations can consult before applying for charitable status. Adam explains what these model objects are, and how they may help organizations get through the registrations process more quickly and with less difficulties along the way
There’s a lot of buzz about the marketing tool of "positioning" these days. The term can be a bit confusing. In this article, we’re going to define positioning and walk you through six steps that help you craft a positioning statement for your organization.
What happens when an organization wants to re-brand? Imagine if you were asked how you would change United Way’s iconic mission or logo (not that it needs it) to make it more relevant or memorable? It’s not easy.
The concept of change management has always been around but today’s nonprofit landscape has made it an increasingly essential skill.
Strategies for managing and resolving issues with unreliable or dysfunctional board members.
Our Career Q&A columnist outlines how to successfully manage the tricky task of job searching while still employed at a full-time job.
Is it a new best practice for a fundraising director to bypass the ED and report directly to the board?
Implementing and maintaining a successful blog may be the most critical aspect of your online fundraising efforts. There are many reasons a nonprofit should host a blog.
While thousands of Canadians hack away in frustration at those little white golf balls – all in the name of a good cause – the question remains: is the ubiquitous charity golf tourney worth the effort nonprofits put into them?
This article discusses why you might not want to start out tracking donors and donations, and creating their charitable receipts, using a homegrown system.
Ten tips for dealing with difficult board members.
How and why should charities demonstrate corporate social responsibility practices.
On May 27, 2008, Canada’s nonprofit sector descended upon Toronto’s Metro Convention Centre for an unprecedented one-day event. With the tagline, “advancing the sector, an action plan,” The Summit was the first of its kind in the country.
Adam explains how art is appraised for tax receipt purposes, the advantages of lending art to a charity, and the special considerations for Canadian art.
If you feel like you are bombarded with challenges, barriers, problems, and other energy-draining negatives, you’re probably in just the right head space to learn more about appreciative inquiry.
Thinking of your audience as agents of change.
The American Society of Association Executives’ (ASAE) most recent environmental scanning project generated Mapping the Future of Your Association (PDF) – a book describing eight super trends affecting not-for-profit organizations.
This checklist may be of use to those considering joining a board of a charity. As well, it may be useful to staff and the board of charities who are interested in improving their legal compliance and improving their risk management.
How to ensure your relationships with vendors fit into your organization’s mission and how to efficiently find new vendors.
