Despite the cold temperatures, themes during the winter months are warm and optimistic. For example:
Thanksgiving: A holiday focusing on gratitude and appreciating what one has.
Christmas: A time spent feeling grateful for being with and giving to others.
Giving Tuesday: wait, you might ask, what is that?
It’s completely okay if you don’t know the specifics, or haven’t heard of, Giving Tuesday!
Giving Tuesday is a “global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world,” according to its website. And everyone can get involved! If that’s by donating to a charity, volunteering for a nonprofit, or performing random acts of kindness, you can do good this year.
Giving Tuesday is very important for nonprofits because it is a time for charitable donations and significant contributions from the greater public. We at The Charity CFO are proud to work with hundreds of nonprofits every day, and you can view our scope of work on our website here.
This Giving Tuesday, give if you can to the organizations that help make our communities great. With the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been no greater need for nonprofits to continue to help those who may be struggling.
Is your nonprofit hoping to find financial balance after Giving Tuesday? Schedule a time to talk with The Charity CFO and book a FREE STRATEGY SESSION here.
https://thecharitycfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GivingTuesday-logo.png545767Paul Cook/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/fileuploads_222926_8055634_252-8e05624973e20b5de823aebdbcfd37df_LogoLeftAligned.pngPaul Cook2020-11-30 19:00:232025-10-28 07:57:00The Importance of #GivingTuesday in 2020
Are you looking to hire a freelancer as a non-profit?
If so, you probably have a lot of questions. You want to hire someone who will be a good fit for your business and produce high-quality work.
Indeed, there are many qualified freelancers out there. But there are also those who won’t be as great a fit for your company.
How do you tell the difference? We’ll go into some tips below.
Keep reading to learn more!
Why Hire a Freelancer?
If you’re a non-profit, you know the struggle of trying to decide when to hire a full-time member of staff.
The advantages of hiring a freelancer are well documented. It could help you save money, reduce your risk, and access specialized talent and skill sets that you wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise.
After all, you want as much money as possible to be able to go to your cause. In addition, most donors don’t give to your office administration fund. This often doesn’t leave you with endless funds to add people to your payroll.
Yet, you still need to get the work done. If it’s not something you can do yourself, you might find yourself at a bit of a loss.
This is when you should hire a freelancer.
What Are Freelancers?
Freelancers use their professional expertise to help a variety of clients.
Yet, instead of working for a company, they work for themselves, setting their own hours and prices.
This can have a variety of advantages. For one, freelancers offer you the flexibility to only pay for the services you need, when you need them. Frequently, freelancers and companies develop long-term working relationships.
Yet, you are under no obligation to use a freelancer more than once. This means you don’t have to keep them on your regular payroll when you’re finished using their services.
Are There Any Cons to Hiring a Freelancer?
For all of the positives there are to working with a freelancer, quite a few negatives also exist.
Chiefly, these pertain to variances in professional experience. These days, anyone can create a profile on places like Upwork or ProBlogger and market themselves as a freelancer.
So, how do you ensure you’re finding a true professional who will work well with your company?
Follow the steps below for a better freelancer hiring experience!
Before you start searching for freelancers, identify what type of work you need done. There are many different types of freelancers, and you don’t want to hire a freelance social media manager when you really need a freelance writer.
Be as specific as possible, outlining the length and any other pertinent details.
Work out a budget as well. Do some research into what the average freelancer charges for this service and make sure you can afford it.
Compile all of these aspects into a list and allow anyone who will be over the freelancer or their project to contribute to it. The clearer you can be with yourself and your team, the higher the chances of hiring well.
In order to attract freelancers, tell them as much information about the project as possible. For instance, if you want to hire a WordPress freelancer to help you with your website, emphasize how they’ll play a crucial role in your web development.
Then, inform them of any benefits they may receive, including what you’re willing to pay or the possibility for continued work. If you’re willing to discuss pay with them, take note of that as well.
Last, if your project is urgent, write that in as well. This will let the freelancer know that they should have a decent chunk of time in their schedule if they plan on working for you.
Require your applicants to send you their resumes and references. That way, you can see their professional experience and ask previous clients if they were satisfied with their work.
After you’ve finished creating your job ad, post it on a job site! Freelancers often visit certain sites, such as Fiverr, Upwork, and ProBlogger, to look for jobs, so make sure yours is there!
Did you know that many of them also have profiles on these sites?
Usually, these profiles contain information on the types of work they do, how to contact them, as well as client reviews. If you’re looking for a specific type of freelancer, simply go on one of these sites and search for a particular service.
This should pull up a list of top-rated workers. Peruse through their profiles until you find a person you believe would be a great match. Then, reach out to them and pitch your project.
4. Pay Them for a Test Service
Do you have a specific freelancer in mind but don’t know whether or not they’d be right for you?
Offer to pay them for a test service. This test can be anything you’d like it to be as long as it showcases the skills necessary to complete your project. To save yourself money, make it shorter than your actual work order.
Once they return the test to you, evaluate it and see what you think of their work.
5. Ask to See a Portfolio
Most freelancers keep portfolios of their work to show potential clients.
Before hiring someone, ask to see their portfolio or other examples of their finished past work. This will give you an idea of what this person sees as a professional level of quality.
Want to Take Control of the Money You’re Spending?
If you decide to hire a freelancer, you are making a very good financial choice for your non-profit.
After all, freelancers often get the work done without giving you the additional burden of putting a full-time staffer on your payroll. They also often provide professional-level experience for a lower price.
Want to better manage your non-profit’s finances? See how we can help!
https://thecharitycfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/computer-desktop-freelance.jpg13742000Paul Cook/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/fileuploads_222926_8055634_252-8e05624973e20b5de823aebdbcfd37df_LogoLeftAligned.pngPaul Cook2020-11-23 14:35:152025-10-28 07:57:01How to Hire a Freelancer as a Non-Profit
Are audit services on your mind as a nonprofit organization leader?
Do you run a non-profit and worry about your fiscal fitness? Are your productivity and scalability as efficient as it could be? If you’re concerned about these things for your organization, then you should consider an audit.
As a non-profit, you owe it to your donors to stay as lean and as efficient as possible. And in order to maintain your NPO status, you need to keep good record books. So enlisting outside audit services can be just what you need to be successful.
And don’t worry if the mention of an audit sent a shudder down your spine. We get it, nobody likes the idea of getting audited, but outside of the IRS, an audit can be a valuable tool to assess your current situation and look at the areas that can be improved.
If you’re concerned about how to fully utilize an audit, keep reading. We’ve got you covered on the different types of audit services as well as how they can benefit you and your organization.
Four Different Types of Audit Services
Nobody likes the idea of an audit. However, when it comes to maintaining the financial health of your nonprofit business, audits are necessary. An audit can take less time if you can keep your financial paperwork organized and thoroughly documented.
There are several different types of audits that are done by different people and will give you different outcomes based on your goals. Some audits are done internally while others are external and require an outside point of view.
When many people think of audits they think of accountants scrutinizing your finances. But operational audits are also just as valuable to your organization.
1. Operational
An operational audit will look objectively at the systems and functions of your business. The audit will assess your business’ systems and productivity as well as your available resources. They will then make their recommendations for how these areas can be improved and what additional resources will be necessary to make the changes needed.
Operational audits can look at your systems and processes as well as your various departments; these can include IT, HR, and staffing. Additionally, if you find your organization continually missing your goals and objectives, then an operational audit can shine a light on this. You can learn why these goals weren’t met and what can be changed to start meeting your goals and objectives in the future.
2. Financials
A financial audit will evaluate your current financial situation for your business or nonprofit organizations. After their complete assessment, they will give their recommendations for how you can improve the fiscal health of your charity.
They will look at your accounting records as well as your financial reporting of accounts receivable and payable. So, it is vital to keep good records so you can get an accurate assessment of your financial situation within your nonprofit.
If you want your nonprofit to help as many people as possible, you must be fiscally responsible year after year. If you find your organization continually behind with your accounting then the help of a CPA can benefit your company.
A professional bookkeeper will help you keep your records so that you never again dread another audit. Audits are helpful and beneficial tools for your company. And having good records can make them smooth and seamless which will allow you to learn from them rather than stressing out about getting them the right records for their audit.
3. Internal
An internal audit is usually done by and for the management of your company. This form of assessment gives light to how your company can make improvements and grow in the company years.
Regular internal audits are important to shine lights on possible areas of growth within your company. It doesn’t do your business any good to continue to do things as they’ve always been done when there is a better way of doing it.
In order to truly grow your company and help more people with your non-profit, you need to continually be open to new ways of doing things.
4. External
An external audit is done by a neutral third-party person or group looking at your business or nonprofit from an outside point of view. These audits are just as important as internal audits and will provide your company with a much-needed alternate viewpoint.
Additionally, by conducting an external audit you open your business up to learning about possibly blind spots that you hadn’t noticed before. This external point of view is vital to growing a healthy business so don’t shy away from it. It can be difficult to ask the opinion of someone outside of your organization, but it is imperative to healthy growth.
By bringing in an external CPA to look at your records regularly you can ensure that your charity will be able to help as many people as possible. While it can be difficult to bring in an outside group of people to dive into your finances, this is a vital step to providing valuable insight and reassurances that you’re operating a successful business.
Keeping good records in accounting software is vital to quick and easy audits. Additionally, having a bookkeeper can improve your audit experience. By having a professional help you keep good records in an organized manner can help you to have a better audit.
Bottom Line: Keep Your Business Financially Healthy
As you can see an audit doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it can be a healthy process to learn where your non-profit can improve over time.
And enlisting the help of external audit services can be a great way to take an objective look at your non-profit. You’ve put your whole heart and soul into helping those who can’t help themselves. Don’t risk everything by not keeping your organization running efficiently and financially responsibly.
So, if you think that an audit would be a good experience for your non-profit, then find a CPA you can trust to come and take an objective look at your company today. With the help of an experienced professional, you can ensure that your non-profit will be around for years to come to help many more people.
So, if you’re looking for help on anything from filling out your Form 990 to updating your bookkeeping, then let’s chat. We offer affordable services and can help you set up your non-profit for success today.
https://thecharitycfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Screen-Shot-2020-10-12-at-11.10.33-AM.png318464Paul Cook/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/fileuploads_222926_8055634_252-8e05624973e20b5de823aebdbcfd37df_LogoLeftAligned.pngPaul Cook2020-10-12 16:17:032025-10-28 07:57:06The Different Types of Audit Services and What They Mean For Your Nonprofit
Are you trying to build a strong foundation for your nonprofit? Well, it all begins with knowing the in and outs of the entire structure. In premise, the difference between a good and a bad nonprofit is the ability to avoid common fundraising mistakes.
In this article, we will cover these 7 mistakes, so that you can build a project that’s truly exquisite. Read on to learn more.
Building a successful project through fundraising is important to your organization’s success.
1. Untailored Messaging
When you’re talking to your supporters, a one-fits-all application does not work. You need to know what works for each target audience and hone your messaging for each segment of your donors.
Segmenting your supporters into separate groups is critical to making sure that the right message is delivered to the right person at the right time. You can accomplish this by breaking down the entire collective into smaller sub-sections, such as big-donors, first-time donors, recurring-donors, event attendees, third-parties, etc.
You might even consider developing donor characteristics to help with driving action on their part. Once you have segmented your audience, it’s much easier to tailor content for each, thus build real relationships.
Stronger bonds = greater number of financial commitments.
2. Not Talking About the “Why?”
Most of the nonprofit organizations spend too much time talking about how they will perform their work, rather than why they will do it.
After all, you’ve adequately enough to create a solution to an important problem with dedication. But to get people to appreciate such efforts, you need them to provide context. Make them care.
This means that you have spoken about the “why” before you even mention the “how. First, speak about the challenges you have addressed, then speak about how you solved them. This will spark genuine connections with you on the empathetic level which will help them to action.
Don’t assume that your supporters know everything about you. Just because they’ve decided to donate, doesn’t mean they have an understanding of your work and its importance.
Make use of the opportunity and give them the full story.
3. Common Fundraising Mistakes: Wrong Relationships
If your relationships with the supporters are purely transactional, they will move on. If they are relational, they will continue to thrive and blossom.
With the use of modern technologies, it can be very easy to bombard your sponsors with asks across all channels. Taking this unthoughtful approach to why and when you ask your sponsors for contributions will result in disconnection and donor fatigue.
4. High Expectations, Poor Outcomes
Do not set high expectations and then deliver poor outcomes. Consistency is critical to reputation. Be realistic, honest, and transparent about all of your efforts and outcomes.
In terms of the marketplace, reach and services, be consistent when articulating their effect. Meet the expectations set by important stakeholders, and deliver exceptional services.
Exceed all expected outcomes.
5. Lack of Financial Competency
A most important faculty of the nonprofit experience is financial competency. Many founders have not anticipated what it will truly cost to start the nonprofit, much less where to get the funds.
Any nonprofit needs a funding plan, which will decide if it will charge fees for services, and an effective records system to micromanage all resources. A nonprofit with poor funding is very unlikely to sustain itself before even implementing a verbose fundraising structure.
And even that’s not enough. Financial competency is vividly important in a nonprofit, so don’t dismiss it.
6. Ineffective Board
If there is one thing that could break or make your project, it might be the quality of your board. Your initial boar members must be your true circle of influence. They should be those who have the influence, resources, and contacts that can help this project grow.
They should believe in the mission of the organization, and be willing to sell that mission to anybody else. They are the gate-keepers who should help to open doors for you.
And where do you find such people? Well, that depends on the mission behind the nonprofit. But it’s all about networking, so visit meetings, conventions, conferences, and anything else that might be pertinent to the problems that you are trying to solve.
7. Failing to Communicate
Using a single channel for communication is shortsighted. All of your supporters are different. They have different genders, ages, capacities, etc. This is why a variety of communication channels is important to appeal to different people.
You need to have multichannel network strategies that will allow you to effectively collaborate and converse with donors regularly.
Many of your supporters and donors will respond best on certain communication channels. Some might be completely blind to invitations, CTAs, or other asks shared on single channels.
In order to avoid this, segment your donors on the basis of their preference for communication. Or simply reach out to them on a platform, if you’ve sent an invitation over email, reach out to them by phone afterward.
Accounting Services for Your Nonprofit
Now that you know about the 7 common fundraising mistakes that will ruin your nonprofit, you are well on your way to build a solid foundation for your endeavors. As long as you avoid the pitfalls of others, and make wise decisions supported by an educated and influential board, there is no reason your mission is any less than the big fish.
If you’re interested in solving one of 7 mistakes, being that of “lack of financial competency”, get in touch with us and we will happily walk you through our accounting services.
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Outsourcing is simple: it provides your nonprofit with the opportunity to obtain the experienced help it needs within sectors such as accounting, operations, and IT.
The coronavirus outbreak has left many nonprofits in the USA holding on for dear life, with mass layoffs, closures and many left destitute following lockdown measures. The biggest question on everybody’s lips right now is, “What happens next?” Can nonprofits survive coronavirus?
At this juncture, it seems that most effective way for nonprofits to transcend the effects of the crisis is to pull in aid wherever possible and work on short-term survival strategies to help get them back on their feet.
What happened to nonprofit coronavirus relief from Congress?
In March 2020, the US Senate passed a $2 trillion relief bill to mitigate the effects of coronavirus on the economy. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) was aimed at providing businesses, artists, and nonprofits with much-needed support during this time.
Initially, $350 billion from the fund was allocated to nonprofits. The funds provide Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to help cover mortgages, payroll, rent and other essential expenses. As of Apri 17th, though, the Nonprofit PPP Loan Program has reached its cap and it remains to be seen whether more aid will be forthcoming.
Nonprofits need to stay proactive
The outside world may appear to have come to a halt, but within the confines of our homes or remote workplaces, it’s more important than ever to keep reporting up to date, to stay active, and to dream up as many contingency plans as possible to emerge successfully from the crisis.
Financial assistance is still available at national, state and community level if you seek it out. But the national backlog does suggest that starting small is the best strategy at this point. Smaller organizations are far more likely to receive the aid they need by proactively reaching out to their communities and local governments.
Creative thinking is the best thing anyone can do in times of crisis. And opportunity presents itself when you look for it. Google is your greatest ally when it comes to finding new sources of funding, but there are also more targeted approaches your organization can take.
The Government Benefits Center is a site that is worth checking on a regular basis. It provides an up to date newsroom and links to federal aid programs that could help your organization weather the coronavirus storm.
Big business is also stepping up to the plate and is likely to be far more receptive to pleas for help from legitimate nonprofits now than they traditionally would be, provided their financial situation allows it. Reaching out now can’t hurt, even if it’s just in the interest of finding support post-crisis.
Help is out there. And it’s important to stay hopeful and proactive as you navigate the rough seas that the pandemic has created.
Let the crisis bring us together
A quote from author and hospice counselor, Kate McGahan is great food for thought as we see the world change before our eyes every day; “Deep within every crisis is an opportunity for something beautiful.”
Even in this extremely challenging period, opportunity does exist. There is potential to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic stronger and more prepared than we have ever been. And now, more than ever, nonprofits need to stay focused and summon every possible resource available to stay afloat. Can nonprofits survive coronavirus? I say yes.
About the Charity CFO
The Charity CFO is an accounting service and resource provider that is specifically focused on the nonprofit sector in the USA. Get in touch to discuss sound financial and accounting strategies to maximize your financial resources when you need them most.
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