A FREE Nonprofit Webinar: Getting your Organization on the Strategic Path to Success!

What is your organization going to accomplish this year?
How will your organization grow?
What are the steps needed to propel your agency to another level?
Is everyone in your organization on the same page?

The answers to these questions and more can be found in a strategic plan!

Strategic planning is the framework that determines where an organization is going over the next year or more; how it’s going to get there; and how it will know if it got there or not. It increases effectiveness, efficiency, productivity, and accountability.

We invite you to spend a valuable hour with CharityNet USA and take a look at the steps to developing a clear strategic plan that will lead your organization on the path to success.

Topics of Interest: 
•Why Strategic Planning? 
•Contents of a Killer Strategic Plan 
•Strategic Planning Approaches 
•Keeping the Organization on the Right Track

Join us for a FREE nonprofit webinar August 19, 2010 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (EST) & Push yourself and your team to focus on the future and the commitment that it will take to better serve the community and make your organization a success!

Providing Nonprofit Startups with the Tools to Raise $10,000 in 10 Weeks!

Here at CharityNet we are all very excited to announce the official launch of our new fundraising program for nonprofit startups.   With initial and early-stage funding being one of the most difficult tasks for organizations to conquer, we are happy to be able to provide organizations with a simple problem-solver. Check out today’s press release to learn more about the program and while your at it, sign up for our upcoming information session to see if it could be a good fit for your organization!  By the way did I mention, the program is free!

CharityNet USA is excited to announce the launch of their new 10 X 10 Program.  Combining elements of capacity building and fundraising, the program will help nonprofit startups raise $10,000 in 10 weeks enabling them to build a solid foundation for

View the 10 X 10 Program Information Packet

future growth and mission fulfillment.

“ Tackling fundraising as a nonprofit startup can be extremely difficult – seeing as often the organizations lack the resources, individuals and time to plan and execute the fundraiser,” said Melanie Swift, MNM, Director of Nonprofit Services for CharityNet USA.

CharityNet USA’s 10 X 10 Program provides participating organizations with a seamless process for event execution, while tying in an achievable time line for financial and administrative growth.  Once an organization enrolls into the free program, CharityNet will begin a comprehensive analysis of the nonprofit startup to determine what critical elements are needed to sustain and further develop the organization.  Once goals have been identified and placed on the timeline, the organization is given all the necessary event planning tools…

The program includes a variety of nonprofit fundraising events, from basic car washes and bowl-a-thons to elaborate sports events and galas each allowing for its own elements of customization.   Money generated through the program becomes invested into administrative fundamentals essential to the organization’s long-term success.

For nonprofit startups interested in learning more about the 10 X 10 program, details of the upcoming 10 X 10 information session are below:

Who: CharityNet USA
What: 10 x 10 Program Information Session
Where: Online at any computer with an internet connection
When: Wednesday, August 4^th, 3pm EST
How to Register: Visit the following link https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/751133515

We hope to see you at the info session. If you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact us or leave a comment in the “comments section”.  Click here to view the full press release.

Summer is almost here… Don’t you think that now is a great time to devote more energy, attention and detail to your nonprofit?

We do too, so we thought we would turn up the heat with our Sizzling Summer Savings!  CharityNet USA wants to help you get the most out of this summer.  We have developed a great offer for all of our special non profit clientelle, so please take advantage of these sizzling savings:

• Spend $299-$599: Get 10% off PLUS a Free Website or Web Service!
• Spend $600-$899: Get 15% off PLUS a Free Website Service!
• Spend $900 or More: Get 20% off PLUS a Free Website & Flyer!

Don’t Wait… For a Limited Time Only Save Hundreds on the Services you Need. Plus, get Free Value Added Solutions!

Have we convinced you yet?  If  you are ready to start your summer off right,  Contact us today and invest in your non profit’s future success!

Important Details:
*Free Website can be exchanged for a free web service of equal value
if you already have a website.
*Free Flyer inlcudes design only and is limited to a 1hr service.
*Hosting and Setup Fee Applies

Interested in learning why websites are so important to your non profit organization?  Join us June 8, 2010 from 3 P.M. – 4 P.M. (EST) for a FREE webinar: Must Have Features Every Website Should Have!  Learn how to have an effective, engaging and action-driven website for your non profit!

CharityNet USA, a full-service resource center for non profits and charities, is excited to announce their new non profit website, specifically designed to better equip those seeking services to start-up or grow their organization.  The new non profit website includes interactive tools and non profit resources sure to meet the needs of charitable organizations nationwide.

“Our new website is designed to help people find the non profit resources they are looking for–quick and easy,” said Efrain Rodriguez, CEO of CharityNet USA. “We want to see non profits succeed, so we’ve included a lot of new functions to better steer charities in the right direction.”

CharityNet USA’s redesigned non profit website contains a wide variety of information for those interested in starting or growing a non profit organization.  A few examples of tools and non profit resources included are: 

• Non Profit Webinars: Web visitors can sign-up for upcoming live webinars and have access to on-demand webinars in the Non Profit Webinar Series section.
• Free Non Profit Development Review: Existing non profits can find out their strengths and weaknesses as well as identify growth opportunities in a one-on-one consultation.
• Non Profit Blog Access: Web visitors can find advice and information about a variety of non profit topics written by experienced non profit consultants.
• Non Profit Startup: Registered users will have instant access to exclusive articles, non profit magazine subscriptions, fundraising ideas and email promotions.

Non profit services offered by CharityNet USA all include product descriptions, FAQs and competitor price comparisons, allowing for quick product research in one spot.  Services include: 501c3, accounting, bookkeeping, capacity building, fundraising, grant writing, marketing, strategic planning and web design.

“We believe that by better supporting the service and resource needs of such vital organizations they can alleviate the burden on organization officials, thus allowing for more time dedicated to direct mission fulfillment,” said Melanie Swift, Director of Non Profit Services for CharityNet USA.

About CharityNet USA

Founded in 2004, CharityNet USA serves as an all-encompassing resource center for non profit organizations and charities nationwide.  Their mission is to provide affordable services, valuable non profit resources and flexible solutions to organizations, enabling them to successfully start-up and grow.  For more information visit: http://www.charitynetusa.com/.

A Webinar about Bringing Funds Through the Door with an Effective Plan for Action!

Once you have a great fundraising idea, motivation will be high and everyone involved in your non profit will be eager to get started.  However, you should take the time to develop a plan.

Every organization, no matter its size, needs a fundraising plan to guide and support its efforts.  The purpose of a fundraising plan is to clearly spell out your overall fundraising picture of the organization.  This plan will help you find funding sources and build community awareness of your organization.

We invite you to spend some invaluable time with CharityNet USA, and learn how to design a workable fundraising plan for your organization!

Topics of Interest:
•Developing the Team
•Diversity in the Plan
•Self-Sustainability
•Legal Mandates

Fundraising is not only fun but also provides great exposure for your organization.  Develop your fundraising plan and start putting the spotlight on your non profit by attending our FREE webinar on Thursday, May 13, 2010 from  3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (EST).

If you desire to start up a non profit organization you may want to know, “What is step one?” Furthermore, what is step two, three, and four? Now most articles like this would tell you that your steps would be: File your articles of incorporation, obtain an EIN, draft bylaws, and then file for the 501c3 tax exempt status. However, I want to take a look at the steps before your file your paperwork with the state and the Internal Revenue Service. Although those steps are critical and necessary, without the right planning, a strong focus, and a dedicated team, your organization may never make it to those steps. This article is meant to give you a game plan in getting your non profit organization off the ground before anything legally is completed.

1. Determine your purpose.

Many people have a great passion to help their local community or the international population. However, you need to focus your passion and determine what the specific purpose of your organization will be. A great principle to realize early is that no organization can be everything to everyone. Without a focus on a specific purpose, your non profit startup will be stretched too thin, especially in its early years.  

2. Get non profit help!

The reason why this is listed so soon is because it is a mistake that I see people make over and over again. The mistake is trying to take on the world all alone because they feel they are the only person who cares about their mission. Chances are that is not so, but if it is, maybe it is because you have not done a good enough job of informing people on the need you are trying to meet. However, without non profit help, you will quickly find yourself exhausted by step three of this process and may give up before your organization even gets started. Non profit help can come in a variety of ways, including: volunteers, board members, donors, legal assistance, or just another individual to assign various tasks. So go out and tell your local community about the issue your new organization will address. If you want to get the word out to the world, take advantage of social networks to get people involved with your mission. Regardless of how you get help, just remember: Get non profit help early and often!

3. Develop and write your mission statement.

Your mission statement should be a couple of sentences that explains: who you will specifically help, what need your organization will meet, where your services will be realized, and finally how this will be accomplished. The mission statement should be the mantra of the group and should be a drafted based on your organizations’ purpose, services and values. Starting a non profit with a strong mission statement that conveys its purpose effectively is a great start to any organization.

4. Set short-term and long-term goals.

For as much as planning is preached, it is still one of the most ignored tasks when starting a non profit organization. Without question, you need to set a road map for your organization. Do not get bogged down with the fact that you don’t know what will happen in the future – if you do not have a plan, you won’t have a future! Set some early and attainable goals for your team to accomplish within the next three months. Then set a few goals that you hope to accomplish within the first year, three years, and five years. Always remember to make your goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Bound). So sit down with your team and put these goals on paper!

Once you have these steps completed, then you are ready to move on to legally forming and starting a non profit organization. By focusing on a specific purpose, putting together an enthusiastic team, having a strong mission statement, and set goals for your non profit startup, you will be well on your way to developing a strong and successful non profit organization that will have the potential to transform the world.

Each year, thousands of people set out to start a nonprofit organization or take their organization to the next level. These individuals are undoubtedly passionate about their cause and truly want to make a difference in their communities. So, like many of us, they make nonprofit new year’s resolution.  Unfortunately, many start off on the wrong foot and fail to achieve their goals.  This is because they fail to fully develop their resolution through comprehensive planning. While setting out a goal or a nonprofit new year’s resolution is a great way to start tackling your list of initiatives, it means little if you do not follow through and achieve it.   To help you identify what areas may need attention before taking on your nonprofit new year’s resolution, here are some common things to think about.

Take care of the basics?

• Obtain 501 status
• Make sure you are registered in each state you solicit funding in
• File your taxes to keep from being removed from Publication 78
• Make sure you are exempt from state taxes

Know what tasks you may want to outsource to a proffessional?

• Grant Writing
• Web Development
• Bookkeeping and Accounting

Keep precise books on your budget and expenses?

• Salary
• Rent/ Utilities
• Office Supplies
• Program Supplies
• Fundraising Costs

Know what makes your organization unique?

• Choose methods of service delivery that are unique
• Do not duplicate the services of other organizations in your community
• Discover ways to collaborate with other nonprofits or small businesses, offering unique partnership abilities

By taking care of basic administrative tasks you will free up valuable time to work on your goals and ensure the acievement of your Nonprofit New Year’s Resoultion.  Additionally, you will be setting a solid foundation for a successful nonprofit organization far beyond your resolution!

Fees for Applying for 501c3 Tax Exempt Status are Set Increase!

User fees will increase for all applications for exemption (Forms 1023, 1024, and 1028) postmarked January 3, 2010:

• $400 for organizations whose gross receipts are $10,000 or less annually over a 4-year period
• $850 for organizations whose gross receipts exceed $10,000 annually over a 4-year period
• $3,000 for group exemption letters

Last time the IRS increased their fees they received a deluge of applications and had a huge backlog for months. Don’t wait until the last minute to receive your exempt status, get your 501c3 application (Form 1023) in before the holidays to save money and expedite the process. 

Remember, you will face additional hurdles if you apply more than 27 months after the end of the month in which your organization was legally formed.

Benefits of 501c3 Tax Exempt Status

The primary benefits of tax exempt status include:

• Donors can make charitable contributions and receive a tax deduction. Most often donors will refuse to offer funding if they will not receive a tax deduction.
• The organization will be qualified to receive private and public grant money.
• As a tax exempt organization you can save money on lower postage rates on corporate mailings.