Nonprofit Board Crisis

Nonprofits: Mind Your Ps and Qs? #NonprofitBoards

During the US' McCarthy era just about anything and everything could be construed as a communist leaning and/or plot.  I emphasize "construed" because in reality, as evidence proved, there were few plots to make the US a communist country and even fewer communist-leaning folks.

But the air has thickened and just about anyone or everyone and every organization can be construed to be anything but democratic in the way the MAGA's view what is the way democracy should be (e.g. Christian Democrat or White Nationalist or whatever).  

That said, according to AP, the US House passed legislation on Thursday that would give the Treasury Department unilateral authority to strip the tax-exempt status of nonprofits it claims support terrorism".  Funny thing about this bill.  First, it is already illegal to support terrorism (with the US government presumably holding exemptions).  Next, I can think of plenty of reasons the Treasury should use the authority it already has to strip nonprofit tax-exemptions but few if any times does this ever happen.

Now are we coming into a new era where the Government can indeed decide it knows best and can just strip rights like a tax exemption status?  Will there be no such democratic exercises like fair hearings and due process?  And what precisely will be construed as supporting terrorism - supporting undocumented residents in their pursuit of economic, political and religious freedom?  Objecting to biased government regulations and policies?  Communicating to Federal elected representatives about matters that alter meeting the needs of the public? 

The potential can of worms is large and biases wide.  Nonprofit boards - now is the time to organize to protect your organization's rights.  Reach out to your state associations and move this matter up to the top of your list of to-dos.  It appears that the roller coaster is getting bigger.

Nonprofit Boards: Time for New Strategies to Achieve Mission

Boards, now's the time, although it has been for some 5 years now) for new sustainability strategies.  The old models can not be sustainable.  Shared services between sister agencies can reduce costs.  Consider going back to direct mail particularly if you begin by getting the list of taxpayers or utility payers or even list of voters.  And then there's revenue models.  

Nonprofit Boards Must Now Have LONG Generative Conversation #Nonprofitboards

If your nonprofit board and exec hadn't done scenario planning BEFORE Tuesday's dawning of a pending new age in the US, it's time for some serious sitting down to think about what's next.  And "what's next" will not be a short conversation.

For sure if the next guy in the White House lives up to his promises there's going to be a LOT less $ for everyone unless of course your nonprofit is located in a state that cares about its citizens and will spend money on the basics like food, shelter, child-care, foster care, health care for those without and well, you get the picture.  

Yup, a new Ice Age will be dawning on January 6.  And while it's late, preparation is essential.  Questions to be answered include:

1. will you continue to provide ALL of your current services (have you reviewed Sustainability Mindset to create a Matrix of high value/high impact/high income programs); 
2. Will you attempt to hold onto all of your staff through thick or thin
3. Do you understand who are your high or potentially high income donors are and how you will encourage their increase in contributions
4. How's your social media and print, radio and tv presence in the community
5. Who are the other providers in your community that have similar programs such that they might be good partners
6. Are you spending on budget in places where other providers might be able to share or even take-on these expenses at a lower cost
7. How prepared is your board for hard decisions to come

All of these are just some of the generative conversations awaiting action by your board.  Are you ready?