We need some new rules for America’s nonprofits! There are over1.8 million nonprofits in the U.S. who contributed $1.4 trillion to the economy in 2022, according to the Independent Sector. That’s a lot of money put to use helping, employing, educating, healing, and advocating. We’ve learned that both major political parties have agreed to establish a National Secretary of Nonprofits. No matter who wins the 2024 presidential election, there will be a win for all nonprofits. We’ve received copies of the details associated with this new cabinet office, and in order to help nonprofit leaders prepare for 2025 we have grouped the official recommendations into three categories. As we expected, the majority of recommendations address fundraising and board leadership.
Fundraising
The “yearend” campaign will be replaced with “new year beginning” campaigns. Related to this, Giving Tuesday campaigns will be replaced with Every Day but Saturday Giving campaigns. Due to inflation, no gifts under $10 will be accepted. Silent auctions that don’t make money will be eliminated. Golf tournaments will be barred from having a silent auction at the end: Golf only, please. In terms of major donors, none can receive more than one award per month. Keynote speakers at dinner or breakfast events are allocated no more than 10 minutes for their remarks. Planning for special events must begin a year in advance – sign in on the National Secretary of Nonprofits website. This site can calculate costs and revenue: no event can proceed if associated costs are more than 70% of anticipated revenue. Chicken will be barred from gala dinner menus for a minimum of three years, with a possible renewal of the ban. Finally, organizations using the same marketing materials two years in a row will be fined.
Board Members
Those who sleep during board meetings will be fined $1,000 per sleeping incident. Multiple sleeping incidents during the same meeting will be fined another $1,000 up to $3,000 per meeting. Board members who participate via Zoom and do not show their face will be asked to create the agenda for and run the next board meeting. Staff participating in Zoom board meetings will receive hazardous pay. In accordance with the new Healthy Food Only campaign, board members will no longer be reimbursed for fast-food as part of travel expenses. Those who do not make an annual gift can no longer receive free lunches, dinners or event tickets. Signed board commitment forms will have to be notarized, and there will be term limits for all board members, except those who give $25,000 or more annually.
Staff leadership and Operations
No meetings of any kind can begin with excuses and apologies. Any remaining voicemail systems must be disabled and phones need to be answered by humans. All CEOs will remain on probation until they present a fundraising plan for board approval. The fine print notes that “CEO” includes executive directors, college presidents, and university chancellors.
Let us know who you believe should be considered for the position, and any additional recommendations that should be considered for 2025 implementation.
Copyright 2023 – Mel and Pearl Shaw of Saad&Shaw – Comprehensive Fund Development Services. Video and phone conferencing services always available. Let us help you grow your fundraising. Call us at (901) 522-8727 or visit www.saadandshaw.com.
