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Happy July! As America celebrates its 250th year of independence, it’s fun to remember that the nation’s earliest leaders were not just visionaries; they were also builders of systems, stewards of resources, and believers in good governance. In fact, the country’s first major debates included questions that still sound familiar to nonprofit leaders today: How do we fund the work? Who is accountable? What structure will help the mission last? With many of you entering the second half or beginning of your fiscal year, now is a great time to take a fresh look at the structure you’ll need to deliver on your goals. Whether you’re filling a key leadership role, adding operational support, or planning for growth, the right staffing decisions can make all the difference. Missionwell can help!
This month, we’re spotlighting our Search Services, designed to help find the right people for the right seats. We’re also sharing an HR compliance reminder in an area where we get a lot of questions: Is Your “Contractor” Really an Employee?
Missionwell Service Spotlight: Search Services
Need help finding the right person for a critical role without overloading your leadership team? Missionwell offers Nonprofit Search Services that reflect structured, thoughtful recruiting support. Our approach starts with understanding your organization, the role, and what success looks like, then moves into job posting, targeted outreach, resume review, in-depth screening interviews, and curated candidate profile summaries.
We offer flexible levels of support depending on your needs. Tier 1 focuses on candidate sourcing, screening, and shortlist delivery, while Tier 2 provides more comprehensive support, including interview structure, scheduling coordination, reference checks, background screening, offer letter preparation, and negotiation support.
Our Search Services are designed for organizations navigating leadership transitions, staffing gaps, growth, or “hard to fill” roles and provide a disciplined, nonprofit informed process that emphasizes quality over quantity. Rather than simply forwarding resumes, Missionwell presents well vetted candidates with clear summaries of their experience, strengths, and alignment with your organization’s needs.
If you’d like to explore whether Missionwell Search Services could be helpful for your organization, we’d love to talk. Book a time here.
Nonprofit HR & Compliance: Is Your “Contractor” Really an Employee?
Using contractors can be a smart way to get extra help, but only if the relationship is set up correctly. A contractor arrangement that looks too much like a regular job can quickly turn into a costly compliance problem.
The title you give someone, the agreement they sign, or whether they receive a 1099 is not what matters most. What matters is how the work actually happens day to day.
- Employees usually work as part of your team. They may have a supervisor, regular hours, ongoing duties, and direction from the organization about how or when the work gets done.
- Independent contractors usually run their own business, provide a specific service or finished result, and decide how to complete the work.
When someone is treated like an employee but paid like a contractor, the organization may be responsible for back payroll taxes, unpaid wages or overtime, benefits, insurance costs, penalties, and legal fees. This is especially important because the rules are not the same everywhere. Some states apply stricter standards than federal law, so a setup that feels reasonable may still create risk.
A Quick Contractor Check Could Save You a Big Headache
Do any of your contractors work regular hours, report to a manager, or operate like part of your everyday staff?
If the answer is yes, it may be time for a closer look. A signed contractor agreement and a 1099 form do not automatically make someone an independent contractor. What matters is the full picture: who controls the work, whether the role is ongoing, how the person is paid, whether they work for other clients, and whether they are truly operating their own business.
Red flags often show up when a contractor has a set schedule, receives regular assignments, uses your internal management structure, or depends on your organization for most of their work. Getting this wrong can be expensive.
A quick review now can prevent a much larger issue later. If you are unsure whether a current or planned contractor relationship is set up correctly, contact your Missionwell consultant before it becomes a compliance concern.
What areas are a compliance risk for your organization?
Download our compliance checklist. See some gaps? Contact Missionwell for support. Book a time here.
Refer Missionwell!
If you know a nonprofit, church, school, or faith-based organization that could use stronger support in accounting, finance, HR, or board services, we’d be grateful for an introduction. Missionwell partners with mission-driven organizations to bring practical expertise, trusted guidance, and capacity where it’s needed most. Referrals are one of the greatest compliments we receive, and we deeply appreciate you helping us connect with others doing meaningful work. You can access a brief overview of Missionwell’s services that you’re welcome to share with others in your network here.
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