Description

Non-Profit Essentials Package

Non-Profit Essentials Package Preparation Form (Coming Soon).  We recommend that you gather the information in this form prior to accessing the online questionnaire.  Doing so will help you efficiently create your custom Non-Profit Essentials Package.

Summary

This Non-Profit Essentials Package includes 10 documents to help non-profits save and get started with operations, compliance, and other objectives. By having these documents in place, non-profits can enhance day-to-day operations, facilitate and grow donor relations and fundraising, and establish a path towards success.

This package includes the following:

• Anti-Harassment Policy
• Conflicts of Interest Policy
• Donor Privacy Policy
• Donor Acknowledgment Letter
• Gifts Acceptance Policy
• Records Retention and Destruction Policy
• Social Media Policy & Guidelines
• Standards of Conduct Policy
• Volunteer Waiver & Release
• Whistleblower Policy

Details

Each of these documents can help non-profit operation in different ways. Below is a brief description of each of the documents included in the package. Click on the headings of the sections below to learn more about each document included in the package. The individual product pages contain a more in-depth description allowing you to get a better understanding of the document.

Anti-Harassment Policy

This Non-Profit Anti-Harassment Policy outlines the procedure for reporting harassment complaints and prohibits retaliation for harassment complaints. A policy like this encourages resolution of problems before they become legal claims. Non-profits can protect themselves from liability by implementing an Anti-Harassment Policy.

Anti-Retaliation Policy

This Non-Profit Anti-Retaliation Policy establishes a procedure for employees to formally notify their employer about retaliation. Therefore, this policy encourages resolution of problems before they become legal claims. Anti-retaliation policies are important because they demonstrate the employer’s commitment to complying with various federal, state, and local anti-retaliation laws. Anti-retaliation policies also assure employees that employers do not tolerate unlawful retaliation in any form. A stand-alone anti-retaliation policy is important because retaliation can occur in several contexts other than discrimination or harassment.

Conflicts of Interest Policy

Non-Profits can use a Conflict of Interest Policy to establish procedures for reporting potential conflicts of interest and violations of the policy. The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect the Non-Profit’s tax-exempt interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an Officer or Director of the Non-Profit or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction.

Donor Acknowledgement Letter

In order for donors to claim a charitable tax deduction on their federal income tax returns federal tax law requires that they obtain a contemporaneous written acknowledgement of any single contribution of more than $250 to serve as proof of the contribution. Additionally, the non-profit must proactively provide a donor with a specific written disclosure statement if the donor made a single contribution of more than $75 and received goods or services from the non-profit in exchange (known as quid pro quo contribution). Providing a Donor Acknowledgement Letter gives the non-profit an opportunity to build donor relationships, help the non-profit meet donor expectations, and make it easier for the donor to claim a tax deduction.

Donor Privacy Policy 

A donor privacy policy notifies donors about the non-profit charitable organization’s practices concerning the collection, storage, use, and disclosure of information, including personal information. It is important for non-profits to have a Donor Privacy Policy to maintain the trust of its current and potential donors who have an expectation of privacy when donating.

Gift Acceptance Policy

A Gift Acceptance Policy provides guidance to the non-profit charitable organization’s board, board committees, and staff on the effective solicitation and acceptance of gifts, as well as to the non-profit’s donors regarding the gifts it is willing to accept. A Gift Acceptance Policy should address what types of gifts the non-profit will or will not accept, who may make the decision to either accept or reject a gift, and how the decision to accept or reject should be reached.

Social Media Policy & Guidelines

This is a policy for non-profit employees and volunteers describing the appropriate use of social media and related rules, prohibitions, and guidelines. Setting up a practical and enforceable social media policy for your non-profit can help minimize the risks associated with employee and volunteer use of social media.

Standards of Conduct Policy

A standards of conduct policy helps Non-Profits notify employees and volunteers about the organization’s expectations for acceptable workplace activity.

Records Retention and Destruction Policy

A Records Retention and Destruction Policy is generally designed to establish and describe how a non-profit expects its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and agents to manage its information from creation through destruction, according to applicable laws and the non-profit’s particular legal and operational needs.

Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability

Depending on the nature of the organization and the types of activities its volunteers perform, some non-profits may face substantial risk. An example of such risk is liability for a volunteer’s personal injury and other claims. This Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability is useful for Non-Profits when volunteers help with a program, event, or activity. This agreement is an effective protection against liability when used as part of a broader risk management approach.

Whistleblower Policy 

A Whistleblower Policy sets up procedures for directors, officers, employees, and volunteers to report any suspected criminal behavior, violations of law or internal policies, or misuse of the non-profit’s resources. This policy also protects non-profit individuals from retaliation for reporting that misconduct. Additionally, it creates a process for the non-profit charitable organization to investigate those reports that address any wrongdoing.