Smart Financial Management

Today's economic realities have highlighted the importance of organizations' financial management and stability. Disciplined and thoughtful planning is essential when making budget and investment decisions. In addition to fiscal responsibility, nonprofits must also familiarize themselves with the recently revised IRS Form 990, as it includes several new requirements.
We've compiled this set of tools to get you started.  Have things to add to the list? Let us know.

Tools and Resources on the Web

The new IRS Form 990

• The Door Has Opened: New Form 990 Creates Strategic Opportunities and Risks for Nonprofit Organizations (GuideStar)
• Form 990, 990-N, 990-EZ: Defined by the IRS (IRS.gov)
• Form 990 Series - Filing Phase-In (IRS.gov)
• New Form 990 Presentation and Understanding the Redesign of Form 990 (Clifton Gunderson)
• New Video Series Helps Exempt Organizations Understand Redesigned Form 990 Requirements (IRS.gov)
• Six Things Every Board Member Should Know About the NEW 990 (Blue Avocado)
• What do nonprofit organizations need to know about the new Form 990? (Foundation Center)

Articles, blogs, etc.

• 185 Cutback Strategies (Fieldstone Alliance)
• 2009 GuideStar Nonprofit Compensation Report Just Published (GuideStar)
• 7 Things To Consider For Your D&O Policy (Nonprofit Times)
• Building a Better World--One Balance Sheet at a Time (Fieldstone Alliance)
• Cash Flow Primer for Nonprofit Organizations (Meyer Foundation)
• Employee Benefits at Nonprofit Groups: How They Are Faring in the Recession - Live Discussion Transcript from 9/8/09 (Chronicle of Philanthropy)
• Facing the Financial Crisis: 10 Smart Things Your Board Can Do Now (BoardSource)
• Finance & Insurance Supplement: Investment Strategies for Volatile Markets (ASAE)
• Five Quick Questions for Your CFO (BoardSource)
• Guide to Navigating the Financial Crisis (Nonprofit Finance Fund)
• Improving Nonprofit Decision Making amid Economic Crisis (Nonprofit Quarterly)
• Nonprofit Finance: What Board Members and Trustees Need to Know (Chronicle of Philanthropy)
• Nonprofits Imperiled By Low Reserves (Washington Post)
• Outsourcing Back-Office Services in Small Nonprofits: Pitfalls and Possibilities (Meyer Foundation)
• Rank & File NPO Staff Members Earn Average $45,615 (NonProfit Times)
• Strategic Financial Planning & Access to Capital (Nonprofit Finance Fund)
• Washington-Area Nonprofit Operating Reserves – The Financial Health of D.C. Nonprofits (Urban Institute)
• Whither Health Care Reform Part I: Health Insurance Coverage for the Nonprofit Sector (Nonprofit Quarterly)

Links to other Documents on the Web (PDF)

• Assessment of Recession Risk and Preparedness for Nonprofit Organizations (Nonprofits Assistance Fund)
• Financial Management Self-Assessment for Nonprofit Organizations (Nonprofits Assistance Fund)
• Report to the Nation on Occupational Fraud and Abuse (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners)