Nonprofit Management

Contemplating a Merger? Consider These Key Issues First

Nonprofits merge for lots of reasons: successful, smaller-sized organizations may join with a competitor to expand their reach. A larger, more established organization may seek a smaller organization that has stellar programming and established connections with a target community. A group that is winding down may want its programming to live on and donates its curriculum, website, or other intellectual property to an organization with a similar mission.

Meet the Funders

Program officers Carrie Harlow from the Ahmanson Foundation and Piper Kamins of the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation visited our offices for a Meet the Funders event for leaders of Community Partners projects. Here are key takeaways from Harlow’s and Kamins’ conversation facilitated by Senior Program Associate, Otha Cole.

How to Dig Deeper When Talking to a Funder

You’ve done your research on potential funders. The basics -- guidelines, issue areas and grant cycles -- are understood. And after thoroughly reviewing a foundation’s website, 990s and any other background materials you can find, you’re considering an application for capacity building or programmatic support.

The next step? Make contact and talk to the funder directly.

INFOGRAPHIC: Nonprofits and Unpaid Interns

Top 7 Best Practice Areas for Nonprofit Financial Health

1. Cash Flow

My organization has:

A budget planning process
A board-approved annual budget
Regular tracking of budget vs. actual spending
A cash management strategy
A reserve fund

2. Effective Use of Technology & Accounting Software

My organization has:

An accounting program that:

Less Pain, More Gain? Fiscal Sponsorship as an Alternative to Nonprofit Mergers

When the venerable Center for Law in the Public Interest saw its funding dwindle after 35 years of service, they thought they had two choices: close down entirely, or merge with another organization. Instead, they did something easier, faster, and cheaper: they took their most viable program and relaunched it as The City Project – under fiscal sponsorship.

Taproot Foundation

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Public Counsel

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Nonprofit Risk Management Center

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Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership

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Nonprofit Management

1. Cash Flow

My organization has:

2. Effective Use of Technology & Accounting Software

My organization has:

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