WHY PROPOSED EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY OVER NONPROFIT TAX STATUS IS A THREAT TO CIVIL SOCIETY
WHY PROPOSED EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY OVER NONPROFIT TAX STATUS IS A THREAT TO CIVIL SOCIETY
WHY PROPOSED EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY OVER NONPROFIT TAX STATUS IS A THREAT TO CIVIL SOCIETY
Meet our Visionaries Behind the Mission: Crystallee Crain and Regina Pinney
In this special blog interview we're excited to spotlight two of our changemakers: Dr. Crystallee Crain, Director of Nonprofit Impact Consulting, and Regina Pinney, Executive Director of Nonprofit Network.
Crystallee brings a dynamic blend of strategic insight, social justice advocacy, and deep-rooted community engagement to her work. Regina, a seasoned nonprofit leader that has been a steadfast force in helping mission-driven organizations thrive.
In this blog series interview, Crystallee interviews Regina on how Nonprofit Network empowers leaders to create lasting community change. By providing tailored support and addressing each organization's unique challenges, Nonprofit Network helps nonprofit leaders and teams thrive. This conversation highlights the importance of listening, understanding core issues, and building sustainable strategies for long-term success.
Building Stronger Nonprofits: A Conversation with Anne & Ella
In this special blog interview, we bring together two of our incredible team members: Anne, our Membership and Outreach Coordinator, and Ella, our Capacity Building Consultant. Anne plays a key role in connecting nonprofits with valuable resources, fostering relationships, and ensuring our members feel supported every step of the way. Meanwhile, Ella works closely with organizations to strengthen their capacity, offering expert guidance on governance, leadership development, and sustainability. Let's dive in!
Anne: Capacity Building Consultant" is a big title! How do you explain to people what you 'do'?
Ella: Great question! In simple terms, I help nonprofits become stronger, more effective, and better equipped to fulfill their missions. More specifically, I work with organizations to build the skills, structures, and strategies they need to grow and sustain their impact. That might mean training staff and leaders, improving fundraising strategies, strengthening operations, or helping a team align around a shared vision. Every nonprofit has unique challenges, and my role is to provide the guidance, tools, and support that empower them to thrive in the long run. Think of me as a partner in making good work even better!
Anne: What kinds of organizations have you had the opportunity to support during your time at Nonprofit Network?
Zoe Lyons
Capacity Builder
March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the resilience, achievements, and contributions of women throughout history. For me, this month is not just about looking back—it’s about celebrating the strong women who have shaped my life and the future we continue to build together.
I was raised by an incredibly strong mother; a woman whose determination and grace inspire me every day. She taught me resilience, the power of standing up for myself, and the importance of lifting others along the way. Because of her, I grew up believing that strength and kindness could and should, go hand in hand.
My mother made sure I knew that throughout history, women have had to fight for their rights—for the right to vote, to work, to receive an education, and to have a voice in society. Progress was not given; it was demanded by generations of women who refused to accept inequality. From the suffragists who fought tirelessly for the 19th Amendment to the activists who continue to push for gender equity today, every step forward has been earned through persistence and courage.
Essential Practices for Safeguarding Your Organization’s Finances
Ensuring financial stability and preventing fraud are critical for the long-term success of any organization. By institutionalizing strong financial practices, organizations can move from reactive decision-making to proactive, strategic planning. Here are 10 essential practices to safeguard your organization’s finances.
1. Establish a Strong Control Environment
Your organization must set clear financial policies that everyone follows—no exceptions. Leadership must be held to the highest standards, ensuring accountability in financial decisions, timesheets, travel expenses, and credit card use.
2. Use the Right Accounting Tools
Excel is not accounting software! Investing in proper tools like QuickBooks or Peachtree, and hiring staff with financial expertise, ensures accurate bookkeeping and financial tracking.
3. Form a Finance Committee
Without a dedicated finance committee, organizations may lack financial oversight. The committee should review budgets, cash flow, financial policies, and internal controls regularly.
4. Budgeting as a Strategic Plan
A well-planned budget answers key questions: What will we do? When? How will we fund it? Budgets help track progress, measure planning accuracy, and ensure financial sustainability.
5. Develop Strong Internal Controls
Implement a system of checks and balances so no single person controls financial transactions. Key internal controls include:
6. Ensure Proper Record Retention
Financial policies should include guidelines for document retention, spending authority, and internal accounting methods. Properly maintained records improve transparency and compliance.
7. Regularly Assess Financial Health
Organizations should monitor key financial indicators such as:
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Distractions are everywhere…whether you're in an office setting or working from home. In the office, you might contend with the sounds of phones ringing, speakerphone conversations, and copy machines humming. At home, distractions come in different forms – kids playing, pets seeking attention, amazon deliveries, or the laundry pile beckoning - and staying focused in either environment can be challenging.
So, what can you do to remain on task and avoid distractions? Here are some ideas to help start off the new year.
Six Tips to Stay Focused at Work (Office or Home):
By implementing just some of these tips, you'll be better equipped to handle distractions and maintain focus, no matter where you work. Success comes from creating a comfortable environment and routine that fosters productivity.
Want even more? Click here to sign up for our weekly e-newsletter. Each week you'll get a link to the most recent news, workshops, and sector updates. We promise to respect your time and will not flood your inbox. We send a weekly Friday e-newsletter and if any important announcements need to be made.
Zoe Lyons
Capacity Builder
I am proud to be the newest member of the incredible team at Nonprofit Network. After 34 years dedicated to public service with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), I am inspired to continue my journey. Graduating from Michigan State University (Go Green!) marked the beginning of my commitment to serving others. My first role involved working with families and individuals on assistance programs like Medicaid, Food Assistance, and Cash Assistance, igniting my passion for ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect—a value instilled in me by my parents.
Understanding the Nonprofit Public Support Test: Safeguarding Your Organization's Status
As a nonprofit leader, we have all wished for one foundation who could swoop in and make all our financial issues go away. A foundation that would invest so deeply in our mission that we could focus on the work instead of the hustle. Somebody can dream, right?
This is one wish that could be incredibly harmful and damaging to your organization should it ever come true. And we, as nonprofit leaders, need to be prepared to turn these types of gifts away to protect our organization – or know how to mitigate the danger.
It is my great pleasure to introduce myself as the Membership and Outreach Coordinator at Nonprofit Network. Having the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the nonprofit sector alongside this exceptional team is a true honor.
As Membership and Outreach Coordinator, my primary focus is to establish trusted and reliable connections with our members and future members, providing them with the support, resources, and guidance necessary to achieve their missions and enhance their communities. With a passion for interpersonal connections and cultivating meaningful relationships, this role aligns perfectly with my background. I hold a Bachelor of Communications degree from Eastern Michigan University and driven by a love of continuous learning and growth, I recently passed the Nonprofit Professional Certification exam, the first stage of becoming a Certified Nonprofit Professional.
My career has encompassed diverse sectors including healthcare, higher education, creative engagement, and library outreach, offering me invaluable experiences with individuals from all walks of life. Additionally, through local volunteering and board service, I've gained a profound appreciation for the vital and transformative work of nonprofits.
Sharon Castle
Capacity Builder
"Communication is one of the most important skills you require for a successful life.”
— Catherine Pulsifer