Charities Must Take Care in Serving as Conduits

Fiscal agents can serve their community well if they carefully follow the rules and accept full responsibility

Serving as a fiscal agent is an appropriate and creative method for a public charity to deal with charitable needs in its community. But it is fraught with problems and can create damage to all if the rules are not properly followed.

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Bylaws: The "Constitution" of Nonprofits - The Art and Science of Making Them Work
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
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Do you have nonprofit bylaws that work?

Well-written and formulated bylaws help shape power relationships within a nonprofit organization, provide unambiguous procedures to prevent disputes, and reduce the risks of litigation. Bylaws should provide answers, not raise questions. Come with questions and leave with clarity and confidence in being able to recognize a workable document.

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Do your Bylaws reflect the way you actually operate? Do they protect the interests of those who should be protected? Do they spell out clearly how to deal with governance issues? Or do they create uncertainty for those who have to implement them?

Most nonprofits don't spend a lot of time looking at their Bylaws until there is a question or a dispute. That's when you need bylaws that are clear and unambiguous, so your questions on how to proceed are already answered. That's when bad bylaws can lead to unnecessary controversies or even costly litigation. Nonprofit Issues editor Don Kramer will review your current or proposed Bylaws to see if they work for you.

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SAY THAT AGAIN?

October 29, 2024

Marketers love to make their prospects feel special. But they sometimes don’t seem to want you to think about what they say to do it.

I received two items recently that made me wonder what they were thinking.

I got a package of discount coupons in the mail that touted a “specially curated” set of offers. I thought they might have my personal interests at heart until I saw it was addressed to “Resident.”

I also got a text message saying that “Kellyanne Conway wants YOU and only YOU to know what the latest polling shows” about the Presidential election. I could click the link to read the “exclusive” memo.

And I will be the only one to know? Really? Do they really think the recipients are that stupid?

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This report provides a rare inside view on barriers women face to selection and success that are particular to nonprofit organizations and makes specific recommendations on how to improve the gender ratio.
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Charities Must Take Care in Serving as Conduits

Charities Must Take Care in Serving as Conduits