The Non-Profit Executive

Thursday, August 31, 2006

Strategic Planning/Board Planning Facilitation

If you step into an existing organization, chances are you want to do some strategic planning at the outset. If your board has strong opinions that may not be in line with your thoughts on the best route for the organization, you probably want to have an outside facilitator help you with this.

There are a lot of folks out there who can facilitate groups and help keep your sanity while trying to make big changes (or create something with a lot of stakeholders), one who has been helpful (and reasonably priced) for me in the past is Elizabeth Lilley of Lawson Lilley Inc. http://lawsonlilley.com/

Carmen Iezzi, Executive Director of the Fair Trade Federation suggests Just Works Consulting

Legal Advice

Make sure you have a lawyer who specializes in non-profit law. They can be on your board or you can hire one.

The lawyer we use is very good (one of the only things I didn’t change about the organization when I took over), her name is Carolyn Klamp cklamp@dk-law.com or (202) 986-3300.

The firm she works with has a website at www.dk-law.com they have reasonable rates for small non-profits. She can easily provide you with a memo on board oversight responsibilities and general things that a non-profit organization needs to look out for.

Office Supplies and Furnishings

For low budget orgs furnishing an office or getting office supplies can be expensive. Keep an eye out on:
Freecycle (www.freecycle.org) and
Craigslist’s “free stuff” (http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/zip/).

Actually all of our computers have come from donations, as have our phone systems, any furniture we own, and a bunch of office supplies (pads of paper, binders, etc.). Basically, you can get almost anything for free.

Pro-Bono Design Services

2 design firm that I know of do pro-bono design services: MediaStudio and Blank, Inc.

MediaStudio does theirs through the CreatAThon once a year http://mediastudio.com/createathon/default.asp.

Blank, Inc. did our logo and letterhead for us and are simply fabulous! For info about their probono work is at http://www.blankblank.com/probono/index.html

Other Software/Tech Needs

Tech Soup at www.Techsoup.org is where you need to go for cheap technology solutions (like Microsoft Office for $10 a licence).

We have had success getting donated computers via Freecycle.org

Database or E-Constituency Management Services

There are a bunch of these out there. Don’t waste your time looking at high end versions like raisers edge, kintera, or convio if you don't have about $10,000/year to spend.

For those on budgets, take a look at z2, Democracy In Action (they offer credit card processing at pretty great rates for small non profits www.democracyinaction.org) and eTapestry (www.etapestry.com).

We (and Refugees International) started out with eTapestry (which is free for small orgs with small databases) and migrated to DIA (which is pretty cheap). We have since moved from DIA, which got too pricy for our needs, to z2 systems.

Web based databases are really the way to go as they take care of nightly backups and you can access them from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

You might also take a look at Common Knowledge's guide for selecting a ECMS.

Web/email service provider

We have a relatively cheap one, Electric Embers at http://electricembers.net/. A useful analysis of web hosting firms can be found at http://www.idealware.org/articles/fgt_web_hosting_providers.php

Phones

Sure, you can get a land line phone from verizon and pay through the nose (plus have it not necessarily port with you when you change offices, causing mass confusion amongst your members). Why do that when you can use the internet as a phone service. Cheapest is Skype which has skypein phone numbers that you get to choose for $38/year. Full research done by one of our summer interns on VoIP is below. We currently use a combination of Vonage and Skype.

Basically, we pay $50/month for Vonage's unlimited service which gets us two phone numbers (our main line and our fax line). When we answer the phone, we then transfer it to someone's desk by using the skype in line (we actually have one skype in line for 8 computers and as long as you tell the person to pick up this seems to work pretty well).

If you are going to get vonage, let me know via email at elizabeth@undp-usa.org. They have a referal program that I can use (who knows you might get a better deal). We have had some problems with Vonage and clarity plus it required us to aquire phones.


Skype VoIP service: For SkypeOut you need the following: a sound card (full-duplex is best), microphone (built-in or external) and speakers or headset.
SkypeOut: This is meant for calling traditional mobile phones and landlines. With Skype Out you can make free calls within the US and Canada till the end of the year. To make international calls you need to buy Skype credits. (Credit will remain valid for 180 days after your last SkypeOut call.)
Not possible to make emergency calls.
SkypeIn: To use SkypeIn you have to buy the numbers. SkypeIn numbers are sold on a subscription basis: a 12 month subscription is $38 and 3 months is $12. It could be a problem for others to reach you on that number. Certain calling plans do not support SkypeIn numbers.

Vonage

Earthlink:
They are offering two packages:
· True Voice Basic:- $14.95/mo (for one line)
It offers 500 minutes (flat rate for both local and long distance). Separate competitive rates for intl. calls.
· True Voice Unlimited:- 24.95/mo (for one line)
Unlimited local and long-distance calls. Separate competitive rates for intl. calls.

Verizon
804-235-7157: William
William.g.moran@verizon.com
(No VoIP service for this area)
Analog phone line:
Can provide two/three phone lines and one fax line. We can retain our old numbers.
18.98 per line per month. This is the basic fee. In addition to this, additional charges ranging from $14 to $277, depending on the package you choose.
Additional equipment: None
Installation costs: wiring ($ 285)

Broadvoice: 212-202-0300
Can retain current numbers.
Can provide three phones and a fax line.
Calling plans: Unlimited Business. $29.95(per line)
Installation costs -$87.35



Broadvox Direct: 216-373-4600
Number portability available
Can provide two/three phone lines and one fax line.
Calling plan: Residential Unlimited $29.95 per month per line (unlimited local calls)
Equipment: Adaptors for the phone. One adaptor supports two phone lines. So we would need two adaptors. Each adaptor is $85.99
Shipping fee: $11.95
Installation charges: 29.95

Packet8: Justin; 877-868-1135 (Ext 850)
Numbers are portable.
They can provide three phone lines and one fax line.
30 day risk free.
$39.99 per phone line per month. (Unlimited local calls)
$9.99 per fax line (300 minutes. For additional minutes 3.5 cents per minute)
Installation costs (including first month charges): $507.24

Voice-Pulse: Martin; (732) 339-5100
They offer number portability.
We can have three phone lines and one fax line.
Calling plan: Business Unlimited (Unlimited local calls) $45.99 per line per month.
Additional equipment: 2 adaptors
Activation fee: $59.98 ($29.99 for each adaptor)

Lingo VoIP: 866-546-4603
Number portability is available
Unlimited Business Plan: One phone line (can add up to 5 virtual lines). One fax line free with this offer.
$49.95 monthly, the first month is free.
If you want to add another phone line you can combine the business unlimited with the unlimited home plan (which means an additional 21.95 per month)
Activation fee: $ 39.90 (includes adaptor, shipping, welcome kit)
30 day money back guarantee

Qwest: 877-719-0022 Kenya
The numbers are portable.
Can provide us with three phone lines and a fax line.
(Will mail/call with additional info)

Union Datacom: Neal Behgooy 214-431-5574 Direct
Numbers are portable.
Can provide us with three phone lines and a fax line.
Monthly plan-$39.95 (unlimited local and 1500 minutes for domestic long-distance)
If our current adaptors are from Vonage we will need to buy new ones.1 adaptor supports two lines and we would

Charitable registration-so you can fundraise in all the states

If you are soliciting funds in any state, you must comply with their solicitation laws. This means filling out annual forms that vary by state. There are vendors that do this for organizations, but our experience is that the vendors are expensive and not at all reliable (we found out that our vendor, Labyrinth, Inc., had charged us for 3 years of registrations in one state but the state had no record of our registration--but perhaps they have fixed this problem). For a list of vendors who provide this service try the Chronical of Philanthropy's website.

About 35 states require charitable registrations. If you have a website that is accessible for the 50 states and ask for online contributions, you are technically supposed to be registered in all those that require it.

I don’t know what the laws are for soliciting membership dues across the country, but can find out from some of my membership colleagues.

George in my office does our state registrations… he can be reached at operations@undp-usa.org or 202-558-7104. Once he is back in the office I will get the sites that he visits and post them here.

Non-profit registration as an leagal organzation

As an organization operating in DC, you must file every 2 years with the DC government’s Registration Office (www.dcra.dc.gov). Check your orgs current status by calling them at (202) 442-4432.

If you were incorporated in another state, you need to make sure your registration is up to date in that state too (see your incorporation docs to figure that out, most nonprofits are actually incorporated in Delaware because it is the easiest place to do so… the second easiest place is DC).

Friday, August 25, 2006

Audits and Annual Tax Preparation

Some orgs do their own 990 forms and have so little funds they don’t need an annual audit. I am not comfortable with either, so we have an annual audit and have the audit firm prepare our 990 forms. We currently use Bill Voorhees at Calibre CPA Group, PPLC at http://www.calibrecpa.com/ or (202) 331-9880. They were the least expensive when we priced them out 2 years ago and have done a great job of helping us navigate everything. The Center for Nonprofit Advancement vendor database has a list of others.

Who other non-profits are using:

Angelique Davis, Executive Director at Black Professionals in International Affairs, says that: "BPIA uses North East Accounting and TAx Services, Inc. Mr. Russel Price is our contact person and his number is(301)636-6222."

Paying yourself and paying the government taxes

Payroll and federal income tax withholding:
So that you don’t have to write checks to yourself, you will want to use a payroll service. The cheapest that I have found (without compromising customer service) is www.paycycle.com If you decide you want to use them, let me know, they have a refer a friend service which sometimes gets you some special deal. We use Paycycle basic, which for $25/month does direct deposit for up to 5 employees and automatically files your federal taxes and prepares your W2s (it also has a new employee check list to ensure that your have all the required forms on file for each employee). You can also add reimbursements of expenses to your paycheck (which are not taxed), that again allows you to get your own reimbursements without signing a check to yourself.

If you really want to pay yourself (figure out your own taxes, etc.) you can do that. Just be sure to figure out what taxes need to be withheld from your paycheck BEFORE you write the check!

CAUTION: YOU NEED TO AVOID EVEN THE SEMBELANCE OF IMPROPRIETY, SO MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU ARE PAYING AND/OR REIMBURSING YOURSELF (a fact of life for a small non-profit) EITHER VIA CHECK THAT YOU WRITE OR DIRECT DEPOSIT, YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE YOUR BOARD TREASURER SIGN OFF ON THESE EXPENSES AT LEAST ONCE A QUARTER.

City/State taxes:
We do these ourselves. Paycycle actually calculates the income tax withholdings for you so all we have to do is log on once a month to the DC taxpayer service center (details at https://www.taxpayerservicecenter.com/GetStarted.jsp) and pay them.

If you don't want to sign up online, you can go get a physical booklet and mail a monthly form.


Unemployment taxes:
The DC government’s Department Of Employment Services (DOES is online at http://www.does.dc.gov/) will send you quarterly forms. Again Paycycle has already figured out how much you will owe, you just fill out the form and send it in. Very simple, but make sure you are getting these each calendar quarter (call them if you aren’t… you don’t want to be in noncompliance). They only do these forms by mail right now (no online payment).

Banking

If you have the choice on your bank, I would really encourage you to look into ShoreBank, which is a socially responsible bank that offers really good rates to Non-Profits:
http://www.sbk.com/livesite/nfp/Nfp.asp

The person there is Deborah and her email is Deborah_Kobak@sbk.com she is really helpful and can put together a proposal to make the business case for changing banks to your Board of Directors.

Insurance for the Office (general liability, directors and officers, and workmans comp)

It is important for you to have insurance for the office, just in case (and no, saying that bad things won't happen to you isn't a way to get out of your need for this kind of insurance). There are three types that we need at a minimum: Directors and Officers, General Liability, and Workmans Compensation.

I am giving you the contacts for our insurance (although you probably want to get quotes from others, check the center for non-profit advancement’s vendor bank for other people to call at http://www.nonprofitadvancement.org/org_profile3893/org_profile.htm):

Directors and Officers (to keep the Board from being personally liable if someone sues the organization): Hugh Wood Inc., Anne Marie Manzi, (212) 509-3777, amanzi@hughwood.com

General Liability (to cover your computers and in case someone gets hurt at your events): Ney Silverman Insurance Associates, 240-290-7000

Workers Compensation (required in DC): also Ney Silverman


What some other Nonprofits use:

Marian Wiggins, Director of Finance and Operations for National Student Partnerships, tells me that she uses Meagher Insurance, 800 Hingham Street, Rockland, MA 02370. According to Marian, "They have negotiated our workman's comp with umbrella, general liability, D&O insurance with various companies to get us a good rate. The contact info is David or Susan Meagher (pronounced Marr) at (781) 792-2727 or dmeagher@meagherinsurance.com"

Shana Young, currently Director of Development with Southeastern University, says "When I was at a small shop I had a great experience with Stephanie Cohen at Golden, Cohen & Braude. She was able to work with us to get great health insurance rates. http://www.golden-cohen.com/team.php"

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Employee Benefits (health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, and disability insurance)

For employee benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, and disability insurance, you can go two ways: financial advisor or small organization collective:

For a financial advisor in the DC area, talk to Mark Ulicny (tell him I said he would take good care of you): Mark Ulicny, mulicny@csfps.com, 301-571-1293

For a collective on nonprofit organazations, join the Center for Nonprofit Advancement and use their benefits packages:
http://www.nonprofitadvancement.org/

You should create a "Summary of Benefits" for the organization that details what the employee benefits are. This will make sure that you and any future hires recieve the same benefits (thus not violating any laws... which I don't know much about but understand that they exist). Depending on the type of organization, you may or may not want to provide disability benefits (interesting fact: many short term policies consider maternal leave to be a short term disability).

Since you might want a template, the one I created looks like this:

Please note: I am not an expert, but just surfed the web looking for nonprofit employee benefits and then merged them together to account for the small size of my organization. I encourage you to do the same.


Employee Benefits

Health Insurance/Dental Insurance/Prescription Plan:
UNDP-USA provides its employees with health insurance, prescription plan, and dental insurance.

Life Insurance Coverage:
Employees are eligible after 90 days of employment to term Life Insurance. The coverage amount is equal to the greater of $100,000 or the employee’s salary for one year. There is no cost to the employee; the entire premium is paid by UNDP-USA.

Short and Long Term Disability Insurance:
Employees are eligible after 90 days of employment for Short-Term Disability coverage through Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company. Coverage provides 60% of the employee's salary (with a maximum of $1,500 per week) if the employee becomes disabled and unable to work for a period of more than 14 days. Benefits begin after 14 days of illness and pays until the employee can return to work or until the end of 6 months, whichever comes first. After six months the Long-Term Disability coverage begins. There is no cost to the employee; the entire premium is paid by UNDP-USA.

Employees are eligible after 90 days of employment for Long-Term Disability, with coverage through MetLife. Coverage provides 85% of the employee's salary (with a maximum of $5,000 per month) if the employee becomes disabled and unable to work for a period of more than 180 days. Coverage pays until the employee can return to work or until he/she reaches the age of 65, whichever comes first. There is no cost to the employee; the entire premium is paid by UNDP-USA.

Pension:
Employees are eligible after one year of employment to participate in UNDP-USA's 403(b) retirement plan via pre-tax deductions from the employee's gross wages. After one year, UNDP-USA will contribute 10% of the employee's salary into the employee's savings plan, with no requirement for matching and no vesting schedule.

Holidays:
Following the federal schedule (generally 10 per year: New Years, MLK Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, Christmas)

Vacation:
15 days per year for first 3 years, 20 days per year after 3 years of service

Sick Leave:
12 days per year

Transportation Allowance:
Employees are eligible from the first day of employment to a Transportation Allowance. This allowance provides $60 per month worth of MetroCheks.

So, you are about to become an Executive Director at a small organization...

Since lots of people find themselves in the situation of trying to figure out what they need to know as a new Executive Director, I thought it would be best to share widely the information that I have discovered in my 2 years as one with a small non-profit organization in Washington DC.

I hope this helps!

Elizabeth