Nonprofit Questions & Answers

Nonprofit Questions and Answers from Nonprofit Expert

This website has been online since 1998 and since that time we have received and answered thousands of questions on many different topics concerning nonprofits.

Below is a list of questions we have gathered. We hope this will be helpful.

Growing Your Donor

Sustainable Fundraising

Don’t Devalue Your Name

How One Donor Spends $50,000 Annually With Planned Gifts of Over One Million

Cultural Competence – Political Correctness

Finding Paradise

Selecting the Best Mailing Lists – By Nancy Grohol,Lyons Direct Communications

Nonprofit Protocol

Eight Tips for Deducting Charitable Contributions

Top Ten Employment Law Mistakes

Creating A Donor For Life and Beyond!

Understanding Nonprofits in the United States

Helping Nonprofits (NGOs) Overseas

Annual Form Filing Requirements for Section 527 Organizations

Is personal identifying information provided on an exempt organization return subject to public disclosure?

Where do I file my annual return?

Can penalties for filing Form 990 late be abated?

What happens if my Form 990 is incomplete?

What happens if my Form 990 is filed late?

Do individual members of a group exemption ruling have to file separate Form 990 returns?

Will my organization’s exempt status be revoked if I filed a request to extend the due date for filing my annual information return?

What happens if I fail to file an annual return or annual electronic notice?

Are small tax-exempt organizations required to file an annual return?

Are there any exceptions to the requirement to file Form 990?

What are my filing responsibilities once I receive/apply for my tax-exempt status?

Where can I get more information about how an organization can apply for exemption from federal income tax?

Does a government entity need to apply for exemption?

Must an organization whose corporate charter is reinstated after being administratively revoked or suspended by the state submit a new exemption application?

What if purposes or programs change after an application is submitted?

Is an exemption application subject to public disclosure?

How can my application for tax-exempt status be expedited?

How long does it take to process an application for exemption?

How do I obtain an application for tax-exempt status?

How do I get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for my organization?

Do I need a tax-exempt number for my organization?

How does an organization become tax-exempt?

What is the difference between non-profit and tax-exempt status?

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying for Tax Exemption

“Employers” Need To Apply

A Unique Fundraising Idea

Service After The Sale

Nonprofit Vocation or Occupation?

Wanting To Be Heard!

Bill’s Dilemma

Are you planting seeds or weeds?

Understanding Donors and Their Money

How do I report an organization that is violating its tax-exempt status?

What should I do if a section 501(c) organization will not let me see its Form 990 or 990-T returns or exemption application materials?

How can I obtain a copy of an organization’s annual return or exemption application?

How can I determine if a particular organization is tax-exempt and eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions?

Are contributions to an organization that has not received an exemption determination letter deductible (for example, while an application is pending)?

Can I take a deduction for a charitable contribution I make to any tax-exempt organization?

From Prospect to Donor

Can returns of tax-exempt organizations be e-filed?

Who must file an annual information return?

Do I really have to show my return to anyone who asks?

When is Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, due?

What can I do to help ensure that my organization does not unexpectedly lose its public charity classification?

Why would an organization file Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption, when it is not required to do so?

What is the difference between a public charity and a private foundation?

Nonprofit Survival Tips

The Story of Generous Joe

Can Nonprofits Be Involved In Political Campaign Activity?

Can Nonprofits Lobby?

Can I get a list of donors to an organization?

What activities can jeopardize tax-exempt status?

What is the difference between section 501(c)(3) and section 170?

When is an organization’s tax-exempt status effective?

What is the difference between nonprofit, tax exempt, and charitable?

Nonprofit Donor Burnout

How Do You Connect With Your Donor?

Exempt Organizations User Fees

What does inure or incurment mean?

Processing Your Exemption Application

Preserving your Tax-Exempt Status

Understanding IRS CP120 Notice

Money or Happiness? The answer might surprise you!

The Nonprofit Arena 2010 Outlook

Nonprofit Bottom Fishing

Nonprofit Sins

Donor Retention and Recognition

Better to Give than Receive

How to Treat Your Donors

Nonprofit Results Oriented Work

Understanding The Mind Of Your Donors

How “BOLD” Are Your Donors?

How to Start A Nonprofit Organization

Fatal Flaws Committed By Nonprofits

Nonprofit “Fact Check”

Nonprofit Governance – Are You Accountable?

Nonprofit Leadership For The Future

Nonprofits Literally Searching For Money

Giving Circles – Group Philanthropy

Finding The Right Advice

The Nonprofit Of The Future – A $100 Challenge

The Donor Merry-Go-Round

How Some Try to Justify a Fundraising Approach

Customer Service And Your Nonprofit

Manage By Crisis, Or Not!

Giving Permission To Believe

Understanding the Nonprofit Arena in a Nutshell

The Gift of Self

Showing Donor Appreciation

Understand Your Donors And Thank Them Properly

Are you giving donors the respect they deserve?

Volunteers – Do You Love Them or Leave Them!

How well do you know your donor?

Donors Need A REAL Reason To Care

Gates, Buffet and Feeney! Wait, who is Feeney?

Understanding Nonprofit Employee Stress

A Learning Moment For Nonprofits

Your Nonprofit Guide To Acquiring And Retaining Donors

Hard Issues Facing Nonprofits

Fired Up Fundraising

Preparing For A Capital Campaign

The Ethics Of Hiring A Professional Fundraiser Or Grant Writer

For-Profit World, I Dare You To Take The Nonprofit Challenge

Leaving A Legacy

Would You Do What You Do, If You Were Not Paid?

When a Donor Say’s “No Publicity” What Does This Mean?

Asking for A Contribution

Director of Appreciation Versus Director of Development

A Donor Friendly Nonprofit

Is “Honoring” Someone Really An Honor?

Cause Marketing: Good – Bad – Indifferent

Sending A Donation Receipt Via Email

What Does Your Nonprofit Deserve?

Asking for a Contribution the Right Way!

Development Director Faux Pas

The Truth About Nonprofits and Multi-Level Marketing Programs

Steps To Fundraising Success

What Every Board Member Should Know

Pretending To Care

Planned Giving

Understanding The Giving Potential Of Your Community

Pennies From Heaven – True Fundraising Story

We Have Past Due Pledges! Now What?

Refunding a Donation

The Three Little Gifts

Nonprofit Hand Grenades or Horse Shoes

Homeless Shelters, Street Ministries and Safe House Resources

The Adventures of a Nonprofit Consultant

Giving Back To Your Donors

Nonprofit Donor Loyalty

Where Is My Receipt?

Nonprofits Need To Understand Their Donor

Short Cuts… Everyone Wants One In Fundraising!

Nonprofit Capacity Building / Organizational Development

How Nonprofits Attract Donors

Nonprofit Do’s and Don’ts of Operating a Retail Establishment

Donated Property

How can nonprofits dispose of donated items?

When Are Charitable Contributions Deductable?

Receiving Charitable Deduction For Giving A Conservation Easement

How do I file a complaint against a nonprofit?

IRS Investigates Community Foundations

Can Nonprofits Opt Out Of State Unemployment Taxes?

Nonprofit Employment Taxes Toolkit

Non-Profit Exemption Requirements

Oh My, The IRS Is Auditing Our Non Profit!

Donor Advised Funds

When are charitable receipts required?

Unrelated Business Income Tax Return

Charity Auctions and Charitable Deductions

The Value of Money

Employment Taxes for Exempt Organizations

A Non-Profit Requirement – Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Exempt Organization Appeal Procedures

Public Charities versus Private Foundations – What is the difference?

IRS Form 990 For Tax Exempt Organizations

How Do I Form A Nonprofit?

Annual Electronic Filing Requirement for Small Exempt Organizations — Form 990-N (e-Postcard)

What is a Grant?

Private Foundations Guide To Grant Making

Elimination of the Advance Ruling Process

How much money can a nonprofit have or carry over from year to year?

Charitable Solicitation – State Requirements

DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to provide legal or accounting advice, or to address specific situations. Please consult with your legal or tax advisor to supplement and verify what you learn here.