Nonprofit Harvest

The Federal Budget

On Thursday, May 7th the Obama Administration presented their 2010 federal budget.  Here are a few resources to help you understand how these budget decisions may impact your organization.

• The Chronicle of Philanthropy has a good overview, Nonprofit Groups Receive Mixed Results in Obama’s Budget.

• Minnesota Budget Bites participated in the telephone budget briefings that highlighted key aspects on the budget.  Read their takeaways here.

• Learn more about what this budget means for your state with the OMB’s state by state fact sheets.
  • Minnesota

• If you’re on Twitter, follow the conversation under the #budgetnp hashtag

2009 Giving Forecast

This week the Minnesota Council of Foundations issued an update on how Minnesota’s foundation are responding to the economic crisis.  I suggest carefully reviewing the information to see if your funders giving priorities or guidelines have changed.

For organizations outside of Minnesota, the Foundation Center is doing a great job of gathering information and analysis on the philanthropic community, including a similar giving forecast for national funders.

Foundation Updates

• Despite Decline in Assets, Foundations Are Responding to Those Affected by Recession

• Responding to Economic Turmoil in the Arts

This Week’s Harvest

• Filing the E-Postcard?  The deadline is next Friday, May 15th.

• Nonprofit News Roundup: Laws and Money from Not-For Profit Accounting

• What’s the Point of a Nonprofit Board, Anyway? from Blue Avocado

• The Chronicle of Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Finance Fund are offering a special series of live discussions on Financial Management in Tough Times.
  • Thursday, May 14: Financing options
  • Thursday May28: New ways for arts organizations to finance their operations
  • Thursday June 11: The changing role of foundations
  • Thursday June 25: Making capital campaigns work in the recession

Navigating the Revised 990

Form 990 Videos: Understanding the Changes

MCN has uploaded videos from 990s Do Matter, a training designed and conducted by Eve Borenstein.  Nearly 3 hours of video is available on their website, Form 990 Videos: Understanding the Changes:

You’ll want to download the presentation slides (3.06 MB, PDF) and the sample form (2.12 MB, PDF) used during the training prior to viewing. We’ve tried to make each section roughly 10 minutes or less to allow you to learn at your own pace.

Additional Resources

• Not-For-Profit Accounting
• Online mini courses from StayExempt.org (IRS)
  
• What’s New from the IRS: The 2009 Work Plan for the Nonprofit Sector (GuideStar)
• Six Things Every Board Member Should Know About the NEW 990 (Blue Avocado)
• New 990 To Do List

This Week’s Harvest

• Nonprofit News Update from Not-For-Not-For-Profit AccountingProfit Accounting
  
  • Video: Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards (BoardSource)

• Philantopic’s Nonprofit Strategies for Tough Times: Economic Stimulus Act FAQ, including:
  
  • How do I find out which types of programs are eligible to receive funding?
  • Where do the decision-making powers lie?
  • Where can I turn for assistance and counsel?
  • Related resources

• Transcript from Managing in Hard Times: How Nonprofit Leaders Can Make the Right Decisions

• Media Matters for America launches Financial Media Matters

• Foundations comment on the State Budget
  • Foundation group throws out big ideas to shake up state budget talks (MinnPost)
  • Improve Public Services and Spend Less: Foundations Speak (Philanthropy Potluck)