nonprofit

Cash vs. Accrual Accounting for Nonprofits
If you’ve recently stepped into a treasurer role for your PTA, community garden, or local sports league, you might be wondering about the best way to handle your organization’s books. There are different approaches to accounting, and choosing the right one can make your job much easier. Cash accounting (also called the cash method or…

8 Quick Fundraising Ideas for Volunteer Groups
Running a nonprofit can be hard at the best of times, but recent trends have made some things extra challenging. Membership numbers are dropping in many organizations, and grants have become much harder to secure. For volunteer teams who are already stretched thin, the thought of organizing an elaborate fundraiser might be hard to stomach.…

The Risks of Using Payment Tools Without Financial Management Tools
When your volunteer organization needs to start collecting payments, you might start looking at PayPal, Venmo, Square, Stripe or even one of those newer platforms like Zeffy or Givebutter. They’re easy to set up, they look professional, and people can pay with just a few clicks. Treasurer role handled, right? Not quite. While these payment…

Everything You Need to Know About Accepting Checks as a Small Nonprofit
When everyone carries a smartphone that can handle anything from buying coffee to paying bills, does your nonprofit really need to bother with old-fashioned paper checks? It may surprise you to hear that most of the organizations using MoneyMinder do accept checks, although most combine them with cash and digital options. Checks offer a few…

Top Challenges School Group Treasurers Face, and How to Overcome Them (PTO, PTA, Booster Clubs)
So, you’ve just become the treasurer for your school’s PTO, PTA, or Booster Club. First of all — thank you! This is one of the most important volunteer roles in any school group. But if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, you’re not alone. You might be thinking: Where do I find everything?How do I keep…

What’s the Difference Between Nonprofit, Not-for-Profit, and 501(c)(3)?
Nonprofit, not-for-profit, NPO, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3)… if you’ve heard these terms and wondered whether they all mean the same thing, you’re not alone. People often use these terms interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings that affect legal status, taxes, and how an organization can operate. These differences matter when you’re starting an organization, making a…

How to Get More Volunteers: 6 Proven Strategies to Find Volunteers for Your Nonprofit
Learning how to get more volunteers is a challenge for nonprofits of all sizes. Whether you need help with your annual fundraiser, social media management, or admin work, building a strong volunteer base is important for sustainable success. If there’s one thing to know about how to recruit volunteers for nonprofits, it’s this: make it…

How Much Budget Should Your Nonprofit Carry Forward?
How much budget should your nonprofit carry forward from one year to the next? The short answer is: it depends. For some nonprofit groups, a small reserve is enough to cover startup costs and early events. Others might need to hang onto a larger balance for long-term projects or unexpected expenses. Here are a few…

When is Form 990 Due?
Most tax-exempt organizations must file a return each year—even if no taxes are owed. Learn everything you need to know to keep your 501(c)(3) in good standing with the IRS this year. What is IRS Form 990? Form 990 is the annual information return that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. It provides the IRS…

10 Free & Printable Volunteer Appreciation Certificates
National Volunteer Week is coming up. It’s a great opportunity to take a moment to celebrate their incredible contributions to your community. How do you plan to express appreciation to your group’s volunteers? One idea? Give them a volunteer certificate of appreciation. This is a simple, yet meaningful way to recognize their hard work and…