Please check out the JBS Nonprofit Consulting FB page for more information and a link to find deserving organizations near you!
JBS Nonprofit Consulting FB page #GivingTuesday
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Friday, August 26, 2016
Great Article!
Check out this article...it outlines even more reasons to volunteer! If you need help finding a good fit with an organization...let me know!
Staying Active Through Volunteering
Staying Active Through Volunteering
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Pulse Nightclub Shootings Victim and Families Fund
Pulse GoFundMe
Julianne Shenk
JBS Nonprofit Consulting
15 June 2016
In light of the terrible tragedy in Orlando on Sunday
morning, I am asking you to look past the “non tax deductible-ness” of it all
and consider donating to the Pulse GoFundMe effort if you are looking for a way
to help.
Over 94,000 people have donated to this effort and raised
over 4 million dollars. Every penny will go to the victims and families of this
senseless act of violence. If you are inclined to make a donation head over to
the page (link provided below) and read about the effort, the organizations
involved, the legal disclaimers and links to other information.
*Please follow the link below. If you choose to Google
the page, make sure you are supporting the right GoFundMe page. There are
several other pages popping up that I cannot confirm to be authentic. *
If you would rather help in another way, please donate
blood. No matter where you are in the country, donating blood is always a great
help to those in need.
This is not a post to push an agenda, a political belief or
leaning. This is a post asking for compassion and aid for the victims and
families of this truly deplorable act of violence. I always advocate for a healthy dialogue and
welcome differing opinions, but this is not the time or place. This is about
the deaths of 50 people. Doctors of the victims currently still receiving care
admitted today that the death toll is likely to rise due to the severity of the
injures.
If you choose not to help, that is your prerogative and I
support your decision. This post is for those that are as shocked, saddend, and
lost as I and my family are feeling. We all deal with these feelings differently.
I support the way in which you choose to do that, even if it is quietly, or not
at all.
Thank you.
Pulse Nightclub Shootings GoFundMe Campaign:
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Charity, Donating, and Social Media
Charity, Donating, and Social Media
Julianne Shenk
JBS Nonprofit Consulting
May 10, 2016
In the “olden days” (you know, the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s) your
daily mail was probably inundated with charity solicitations. Granted, there
are still a few agencies that employ the “mailer” method, but admittedly, my
mailbox is a lot lighter in that department now. Although I will admit, the address labels do
come in pretty handy.
Mailers and cold calls were very popular. With the advent of
caller ID, it makes it a little easier to see who is calling and a lot easier
to dodge the call. Some agencies have gotten smart and use fake caller ID names
to prompt you to answer, but with so few people using land line phones as their
main telephonic source, a large number of charitable agencies have taken their
campaign to social media; specifically, Facebook.
I was recently asked if I support charities through
Facebook, if I endorse charities through Facebook, and if I have ever been
prompted to or have donated through Facebook. The answer to all of those
questions: Yes. So many people are using Facebook now. In fact the demographics
have significantly shifted and young teens and twenty-somethings are not the
main users. It is our “older generation”, and sadly, for social media survey
purposes, that is 30s and up. (A tear slid down my cheek).
I am sure you are familiar with the term, “social media”.
Facebook, Twitter, Vine, Periscope, etc. are all forms of social media. Most of
you are reading this blog via Facebook or a link from Twitter. (Thank you by
the way, share with your friends!) Social media is a powerful concept. Perfect
example: The Ice Bucket Challenge of 2014. Everywhere you looked there were
friends, family, neighbors, sports figures and celebrities posting videos of
them partaking in the IBC and then challenging others to do the same. What
started out on social media, soon became clips on news shows, morning talk
shows and entertainment recap shows. Everyone knew about it. Everyone knew that
it was benefitting ALS. To put it in perspective, according to data from
SurveyMonkey[1],
66.8% of those polled felt that social media was “extremely effective” or “very
effective” for disseminating information about initiatives doing social good. [2] In the same survey, 56.9% of respondents said
that they follow or “like” nonprofits on Facebook. [3]
Here is some homework for you to try: think of your favorite
agency that you support and “Google”[4]
it. Type in the agency’s name along with the word “Facebook”. An overwhelming
amount of the time it will bring up the organization’s Facebook page in the top
3 results. You can also go directly to the agency’s webpage and look for their
Facebook link. Trust me, it will be there. If you are active on Facebook,
“like” their Facebook page and you will actively get updates and be able to
follow along with all of their activities. “Share” the page and any exciting
updates with your Facebook friends. Spread the word. Another SurveyMonkey
survey found that out of more than 1000 adults (aged 18 and older) who identify
themselves as regular social media users, 51% of respondents reported that they
hear about new initiatives for social good via social media first. [5]
This specific survey also found that 64% of users that identified themselves as
a social media user (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+)
donated $100 or more to charitable causes in the last year. [6]
A study in March 2013 by Georgetown University Center for
Social Impact released a study on “Digital Persuasion”. Digital persuasion is
how social media is being used to influence perceptions, actions, and support
for causes.[7]
The study determined that that in previous years, face-to-face communication
was the primary mode of information exchange about causes. The survey
respondents named social media as their top source for information about causes
that they support. [8]
The study also found that 55% of digitally active Americans did
more than just “like” a cause. Engaging with the causes via social media
prompted them to:
·
Donate money 68%
·
Volunteer 53%
·
Donate personal items or food 52%
According to the Georgetown survey, 82% agree that social
media is very effective in getting more people to talk about the causes and
issues.[10]
So there you have it. Follow your favorite charity. Share their
information via your favorite social media outlet and most importantly, take
advantage of any volunteer opportunities they post about or donation drives
they are having. Even if you cannot participate, by you sharing the
information, it will reach the eyes, hearts, and pocketbooks of those that can!
[1]
SurveyMonkey.com
[2] http://mashable.com/2014/09/19.
Retrieved 1 May 2016. Author: Connor Finnegan.
[3]
Ibid.
[4]
Google being used as a generic term. Use your preferred search tool (Google,
Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.)
[5] http://mashable.com/2014/09/19.
Retrieved on 1 May 2016. Author: Ryan Lytle.
[6]
Ibid.
[7] 9
Ways to Use Social Media to Support Your Causes and Charities. 2013. McKhann,
Emily. April 12, 2013. http://themotherhood.com/blog. Retrieved on 1 May 2016.
[8]
Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10]
Ibid.
Friday, April 22, 2016
FAQ
FAQ
Julianne Shenk
JBS Nonprofit Consulting
April 22, 2016
April, as you can imagine, is a busy month…and totally got
away from me in the “you need to write your monthly blog” department. One of the things that made me so busy was
answering questions. Then it hit me: You
got your blog topic! I compiled a list
of the most asked questions that I received this year.
And…don’t think I only answer questions in April! Ask me
year round!
Q: I wrote a check to Charity XYZ on the 1st of
January this year. It was intended for December 2015, but I just got too busy
and sent it late. Can I claim it on 2015 taxes?
A: No. Your check was dated 1 January 2016, it can be
claimed on your 2016 taxes. Intent does not trump legalities and tax code.
Q: How do I choose which nonprofit to support/donate to?
A: Evaluate what interests you. Are you looking to support a
specific cause or condition/disease in need of funding? Narrow down what is
important to you. You are giving your hard earned money to a group that you
should feel a connection to.
Q: How do I know if a charity is legitimate?
A: Research. Research. Research. I can do this for you. It
is what I get paid to do. But, you can do it too. Visit the website. Poke
around, follow the links, and ask questions. Also, any reputable nonprofit
exercises transparency and can provide you with their financial data. Yes, some
organizations make it a little difficult to get this information, but again, I
can help you with that. It should be researchable to everyone, but if it is
not, contact them and ask. If they are less than forthcoming with your request,
I think it best to move on to another organization.
Q: I am not in a position financially to donate money at
this time, is volunteering considered donating? Does my time count?
A: Yes. If you read some of my other posts, many espouse my
belief that volunteering is the backbone, the heart and soul, the lifeblood, of
a nonprofit organization. Giving of your
time is as important, if not MORE, important, than giving money. If your desire
is to help a cause, but you are not in the financial situation to do so, please
consider donating your time. Be hands on, it is one of the most rewarding acts
you can perform. It will also allow you to become involved and educated in a
cause that is important to you.
Q: How do I know where my money is going?
A: You can indicate intent for your donation to be spent in
a particular way. This is called a “restricted gift”. To donate in this manner,
establish (in partnership with the organization) where you would like to direct
the funds to guarantee that it is possible for the funds to be directed in the
manner you wish. In grad school I had a case study regarding restricted gifts.
A family designated a large donation be given to a local animal shelter, but
restricted the breed of animal that the funds could be used to help. The
patriarch of the family had an affinity for a particular breed of dog. They
were insistent that funds only be used to save, place, and maintain this
specific breed. The shelter’s hands were tied, as the breed mentioned in the
restricted gift letter was rare and literally never seen at the shelter. The
gift sat for years before a family member finally relented and changed the
restrictions to cover all breeds. Be sure that your gift, if restricted, is not
so restricting as to prohibit use.
The most useful donation is an “unrestricted donation”. This
allows the agency to allocate the funds to the area in most need. Do not
hesitate to reach out to the nonprofit before making a donation to ask how you
can direct your donation to make the most impact. They are more than happy to
advise you.
Q: I want a tax number; can I get one by forming a
nonprofit?
A: No. This is my
single biggest pet peeve regarding the nonprofit industry. I often find (75% of
my personal experience, that is a high number!) folks are looking to get a tax
number to avoid paying sales tax. A nonprofit is formed to serve a need in the
community that receives a tax relief to better aid them to help/promote/execute/support
their cause. If your coffee group wants to purchase coats to handout to the
homeless/underprivileged in the winter, you cannot get a tax number to save on
sales tax. If you are a registered 501 (c) (3) that is purchasing coats to hand
out, you can apply for a tax number (one time filing and free). You cannot get a tax number to buy goods to
donate to a food pantry. The food pantry can get a tax number to purchase
staples to supply its coffers. If you are legal and registered AND approved by
the IRS as a recognized 501 (c) (3), you are required to get a tax number. That
is the only way.
Q: What is the difference between a nonprofit organization
and a not-for-profit organization?
A: There is no legal distinction. The terms are used
interchangeably.
Q: I recently learned that a charity that I contributed to
in years past has shuttered. Do the people on the board get to keep the monies
collected?
A: No. Most nonprofits “go out of business” when their
funding dries up. If there happen to be funds left, the IRS has very specific
rules as to where the assets/funds go:
Assets of an organization must
be permanently DEDICATED to an exempt purpose. This means that should an
organization dissolve, its assets must be DISTRIBUTED for an exempt purpose
described in this chapter, or to the federal government or to a state or local
government for a public purpose. If the assets could be distributed to members
or private individuals or for any other purpose, the organizational test [for
exempt status] is not met.[1]
The assets must go to another nonprofit organization or
exempt organization type.
Q: Who should I contact if I have concerns about the
integrity or practices of a particular nonprofit organization?
A: At the state level, contact your state’s charity/nonprofit
office. This is typically a branch of the Office of the Attorney General or the
Secretary of State. (You can find your local contact via http://www.nasconet.org). At the federal level, contact the IRS
(http://www.irs.gov).
Those are the most asked questions I get. If you have any
other questions or need some elaboration on a particular question from above,
just ask!
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