Orion Grassroots Network

Resources Blog

Nonprofit accounting alert: new 990 for FY ‘08

posted Dec 8, 2008

The new 990 form for tax exempt organizations reflects the biggest change in nonprofit tax reporting in 30 years, now requiring information on governance. As this SmartBusiness article states, "The new governance section, Part VI, requires information about the organization’s governing body, its governance and management policies, and its disclosure practices. Governance policies and practices are not required by law, but the IRS recognizes that a nonprofit is more likely to report its activities correctly if it has policies and practices in place." Definitely check with the person who does your group's books to ensure that they know these changes are taking effect. April will be too late! Also check www.stayexempt.org for more resources.

Collaborate, consolidate, or merge?

posted Nov 24, 2008

Is your organization struggling to survive? Strategic restructuring is something to consider when all avenues seem to lead to a dead end. It's a structural change that some nonprofits undertake which includes mergers, joint ventures, administrative consolidations, and joint programming — through which nonprofits attempt to anticipate or respond to threats and opportunities. Several member organizations of the Orion Grassroots Network have merged in the past year to good effect.

We had a conference call in late January '09 to discuss this, with Jo DeBolt, a Senior Associate with La Piana Associates, a consulting firm that has great expertise on the topic. Besides listening to the call audio at the link above, you might also look at the helpful strategic restructuring resources posted on their site to learn more.

Whose media?

posted Nov 13, 2008

Whose Media? Our Media! is a publication from smartMeme & the SPIN Project. Its subtitle is Strategic Communications Tools to Reform, Reclaim, and Revolutionize the Media, and that pretty much says it all. It walks one through the tools of strategic communications – planning, framing, messaging, creative campaign tactics — and offers special spotlights on digital media/Web 2.0 and funding. Download it for free, here.

Picking a consultant

posted Oct 27, 2008

Choosing a consultant to help you with strategic planning, fundraising, and the like often boils down to personal recommendations - someone recommended by a friend or allied organization. But if you're not finding options you like in your immediate area, you can cast your net much wider by visiting Idealist's consultant directory. Over 1,200 to choose from, by category and location, here.

Directors and Officers Insurance

posted Oct 10, 2008

Nonprofit organization directors and officers work hard for their mission every day, but if a claim is made against them for liability for something unexpected done on behalf of the organization, this can be incredibly costly. D/O insurance protects these people and the organization - this is a key capacity question: a single unexpected claim or legal case can seriously damage a nonprofit. While D/O insurance is widely available, the Irwin Siegel Agency offers top notch coverage to members of the Orion Grassroots Network. If you are a member, log in to the 'manage your benefits' section to learn more.

Grassroots organizing audio

posted Sep 19, 2008

The Network's conference calls cover a wide range of topics, usually in nonprofit management, but also in advocacy. Listen here to a great piece of audio on how you can make change with grassroots organizing, with Steve Max of the Midwest Academy. Their book on this topic, Organizing for Social Change, is the most comprehensive available.

idealist.org’s Nonprofit FAQ

posted Jul 30, 2008

The Nonprofit FAQ lists questions and answers about nonprofit organization, regulation, development, management, and resources. More expansive than one might think. Click here to check it out.

Orion magazine

posted Jul 30, 2008

"America's finest environmental magazine" (Boston Globe). Orion is an influential forum for re-imagining humanity's relationship to nature, culture, and place. America's foremost writers and artists are featured in the magazine. Members of the Orion Grassroots Network receive a free digital subscription as well as a 50% discount on the print edition - $20 for 6 issues for US mailing addresses/$30 Canadian/$40 everywhere else. Just log in here, click on 'manage your benefits,' and click on the link next to the Orion magazine cover to get the deal.

BoardSource

posted Jul 30, 2008

BoardSource is a well regarded organization, committed to strengthening an organization's boards of directors in order to strengthen the organization. BoardSource offers annual conferences, governance consultants, training programs, and further resources (print, web, cd) on nonprofit governance and management. The website is well organized.

Non-Profit Guides

posted Jul 30, 2008

Looking for help writing grants? Check out Non-profit Guides. Proposal guidelines, examples, and links are listed here for your benefit.

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