December 2, 2016

Resource Type: Risk eNews

Stuck in the Middle

Certain melodies and lyrics get stuck in my head. In 1972, the single “Stuck in the Middle with You,” by Stealers Wheel, took up permanent residence in my brain. Peaking at #6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, the...

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December 2, 2016

Resource Type: Articles

Don’t Be Ensnared by the Risks of Fundraising

New Book Sheds Light on Fundraising and Collaboration Risks The Nonprofit Risk Management Center has published a new text on the emerging topic of fundraising risks: No Strings Attached: Untangling the Risks of Fundraising & Collaboration. An excerpt from Chapter 4: Individual Donors:...

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December 2, 2016

Resource Type: Risk eNews

Succeeding at Failure

I was tempted to leave the word “failure” out of the title for this week’s eNews out of fear that a title touting failure might be disconcerting to some readers. But facing the fear of failure seems to be a hot topic...

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December 2, 2016

Resource Type: Articles

Look Before You Leap

Exercise Caution When Engaging Consultants Expertise that is needed on a short-term and targeted basis or during an economic downturn or a drop in donations can spur a nonprofit to seek outside expertise. Those that hire consultants may save dollars...

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December 2, 2016

Resource Type: Risk eNews

Training Wheels

Last week I wrote about the connection between riding a vintage motorcycle in less than perfect weather conditions and the fact that things worth doing aren’t always easy to do. The feedback from readers led me to reflect on my...

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December 2, 2016

Resource Type: Articles

Love that Web Site… but not the links to information about political candidates

Here’s a REMINDER to all public charities and churches: A link to a political candidate’s web site from a nonprofit’s web site may violate federal law. IRS regulations allow 501(c)(3) nonprofits to engage in limited “voter education” activities, such as...

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December 2, 2016

Resource Type: Risk eNews

Lucky Me

It’s a big day for my favorite color as well as the day when Americans with even remote connections to the Emerald Isle celebrate all things Irish. School children will enjoy shamrock-shaped cookies and learn about leprechauns. Restaurants from one...

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December 2, 2016

Resource Type: Risk eNews

The Grand Finale

It’s finale week on reality TV. Several of the most popular reality shows on network television wrap up this week, with winners and “losers” receiving prize money, trophies, apprenticeships and recording contracts. In my experience many nonprofit leaders approach the process of...

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December 2, 2016

Resource Type: Risk eNews

Top 3 Fundraising Risks

Without fundraising, nonprofits would not exist. Ironically, fundraising itself can jeopardize our missions if we seek funds improperly or thoughtlessly. In the paragraphs below we explore three familiar fundraising risks. Failure to anticipate donor trends: Donors’ wants and expectations change...

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December 2, 2016

Resource Type: Risk eNews

The Greatest Risk of All

“I’m only human Of flesh and blood I’m made Human Born to make mistakes” – Human, The Human League, © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., EMI Music Publishing. Many leaders of leading nonprofits worry excessively about external threats:...

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