December 17, 2024

Ben Gose, The Chronicle of Philanthropy

The 2025 legislative session is filled with peril for the nonprofit world — including threats to foundations, big endowments, donor-advised funds, and charities with close counterparts in the for-profit sector, such as hospitals.

One bright spot is the increasing support in Congress for a new tax incentive aimed at encouraging all Americans to give.

Charities Look Inward After the Election but Are Ready to Fight

The charitable tax deduction has been around for more than 100 years, but its significance has waned since Congress expanded the standard deduction in 2017. Today, only about one in 10 taxpayers have enough itemized deductions, including charitable deductions, to exceed the standard deduction. As a result, most tax incentives for giving go to the small group that itemizes — typically the wealthy.

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Submitted by Charitable Allies

The leader of a nonprofit that primarily employs social workers asked “how can we protect our nonprofit from risk?” The attorney paused and said “Don’t do any work. Don’t serve anyone in an at-risk group at all, ever.” Many of us in the nonprofit community find his response ridiculous and a little funny. But there’s a grain of truth to it. There is inherent risk in the work of any nonprofit that serves vulnerable populations. But there are ways to increase safety and decrease risks that don’t involve stopping your important work. Let’s be honest, mistakes and wrongdoing happen. But having the right policies, insurance and training in place can reduce the frequency and severity of these issues, which can save a nonprofit thousands and keep people safe. So today, let’s break down a few ways to increase safety, decrease nonprofit liability and keep you doing missional work. Keep in mind, these are a few general tips. 

1. Identify Potential Risks 

First thing’s first, to prevent risk, you need to identify the sources of risk in what you do. Essentially, you need to be able to ask yourself about the worst case scenarios when it comes to your programs, staff, and clients. This is easier said than done. 

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By Ron Gifford, Dunleavy & Associates

How often has this happened to you: you approach a board member about their willingness to serve as Board Secretary, and their immediate response is, “Oh, thanks for asking, but I’m not a very good note taker.” Or: “I don’t have the time to prepare the minutes.”  Or, more likely: “Ugh. Really? There’s no one else who can take notes?” 

Maybe this reaction stems from the PTSD of taking notes in school. Or the fear of not being able to read your own handwriting when deciphering your notes. Or the perception of having to work too hard during (and after) a board meeting (bonus points for candor on that one). For whatever reason, almost no one gets excited about doing nonprofit board meeting minutes. 

Now, what if I told you that meeting minutes don’t have to be mini versions of War and Peace, might even fit on one page, and often can be completed by the end of the board meeting?  

You might respond, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?” (insert “mind-blown emoji” here).

I kid you not. Somewhere along the way, we’ve accepted the mythology that meeting minutes should be – and are required to be -- detailed meeting notes. But that’s just not the case. 

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The Arc of Bartholomew County named Wendy Kirts as executive director. Kirts previously served as director of direct services at Assisted Independence, LLC.

The Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership appointed Jeff Stumpf as chief financial and operating officer. Stumpf was previously executive vice president for finance and operations at the Indiana University Foundation.

The Centers of Wellness for Urban Women promoted Katrina May to director of operations and development. Previously, May served as the manager of Whole Health.

The Centers of Wellness for Urban Women promoted Michelle Clegg to the manager of Whole Health. Clegg previously served as the Connection 4 Wellness Coordinator.

Feedback...The breakfast of champions on Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. – noon at Johnson County Armory, 325 Minuteman Way, Franklin. Explore two best-practice models for giving and receiving feedback. Presented by Leadership Johnson County. Cost is $59 per person for members/alumni and $69 for general public. Register

Work-based learning: Introduction to Work and Learn Indiana and EARN Indiana webinar on

Jan. 15 at noon. Learn how to post high-quality work-based learning opportunities and receive intern wage reimbursement. Presented by Institute of Workforce Development. Cost: free. Register

Donor communications 2025: Create a strong plan webinar on Jan. 16 from 2 – 3:15 p.m. Learn how to map out an annual donor communications plan, stay on track throughout the year, and manage various campaigns and communications, so you can build stronger ties with key donors and hit your goals. Presented by Chronicle of Philanthropy. Cost: $69. Register

Emotional intelligence: Your way to employee retention webinar replay. Learn the importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace, strategies to grow emotional intelligence and the impact of EQ on your people. Presented by Jeremy York of InvigorateHR and the HR Nonprofit Peer Group. Watch

Old Bethel and Partners Food Pantry, 8032 E. 21st Street, is in need of volunteers to assist with the pantry’s operations in a fast-paced and busy environment. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old, able to lift 20 pounds, and stand for the duration of a shift, usually 4 hours. Learn more.  To volunteer, contact Arin Schellenberg aschellenberg@oldbethel.org

GivingTuesday 2024 Shatters Records

This year’s GivingTuesday saw an impressive $3.6 billion in donations and 36.1 million participants—marking a 16% jump from 2023’s total of $3.1 billion.

The New Generation of Foundation Leaders Is Younger and More Diverse

The foundation world is in transition. Some of the most recognizable names in philanthropy are stepping down, and a new wave of leaders is taking their place.

SPONSORS' INSIGHTS

Lilly Family School of Philanthropy From philanthropy student to nonprofit executive director

Forvis Mazers Fact or Myth: Low Overhead Cost Equals an Effective Nonprofit?

CHARITABLE ADVISORS' FEATURED JOBS

President and CEO - Community Foundation of Wabash County