Nonprofit Essentials | Tips for first meetings with funders, equitable hiring practices, and more

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2023 has been full of challenges, from workforce shortages to natural disasters to armed conflicts. And nonprofits continue to be at the center of getting help to everyone who needs it—whether they live next door or halfway around the globe. Thank you for all you do to make this world a better place for everyone. We hope you’re able to take a moment as the year winds down to pause and reflect on the tremendous impact you have made improving the lives of others.

In this final edition of Nonprofit Essentials, we lead off with an article from a respected foundation program officer on how your nonprofit can plan an effective introductory meetings with funders. Then, we share tips on how you can make your hiring practices more equitable and inclusive. We wrap up with a few new resources and our “Your Voices” feature, seeking your reasons for optimism in the year ahead.

We wish you a joyful and restful season and look forward to bringing you more information and resources in 2024.

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🔷December Essentials🔷

Article with tips from a funder on effective first meetings.

Tips from a funder: How to have a successful introductory meeting

If you only get one chance to make a good first impression, how can you make the most of an introductory meeting with a potential new funder? Caroline Altman Smith, a respected grantmaker, shares advice based on her experiences from the funder’s side of the table. Good preparation, being judicious about how many materials to send, and giving the conversation room to breathe are among the tips she provides.

Read on for more about planning a successful introductory meeting.

Advertisement for a webinar on the Employee Retention Credit.

Article on how to improve equitable and inclusive hiring.

Strengthening your nonprofit through more equitable and inclusive hiring practices

Equitable and inclusive hiring is not just a moral imperative; it's a strategic effort that strengthens your organization by bringing varied perspectives, experiences, and skills to your nonprofit. Simple changes to your hiring processes can help make your team more diverse—and can help fill much-needed jobs in this time of significant workforce shortages in our sector. Even if your nonprofit is located in a state that is discouraging overt efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), there are easy steps your nonprofit can take to make your hiring practices more equitable and inclusive.

Read more on how your nonprofit can implement more equitable and inclusive hiring practices.

📰 News & Resources

📋 Updated requirements for electronic filing of Affordable Care Act (ACA) forms: Beginning in 2024, the threshold for employers to be required to file forms detailing employer-provided health insurance will decrease from 250 forms to just 10. If your organization has been filing your forms by paper up until now, such as Form 1095-C, it is likely that you will need to switch to electronic filing next year. Read more about this update from the Venable law firm.
💼 New survey report on generative AI in nonprofit human resources functions: Nonprofit HR released 2023 AI Pulse Survey Results for Social Impact Organizations. In responses to a survey of 250 nonprofits, 26% reported that generative AI was being used for researching information and 16% were using it for writing job descriptions. Most notably, there was significant recognition that organizations will need to develop employee policies governing the use of generative AI.

Graphic for "Your Voices" with an answer to last week's question, "Require that local governments disbursing federal dollars increase the allowance for indirect project costs to bring it up to, or at least, closer to, the real cost."

Graphic with next month's question, "In the face of so many challenges, what brings you hope for 2024?"

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