This article talks about how the neighborhoods that seem to be worse off are the ones whom are paying more for loans.

Does your nonprofit board or leadership feel tired and frustrated? Have you found the government has grown tired of supporting your efforts. Does your organization feel it has strength to continue to carry the burden of government shortages, failures or inaction? For a nonprofit to carry its mission it is important for the organization to be clear and consistent in its mission?

It is OK for a nonprofit to be revolution in its ideas on how to accomplish its mission, its goals and objectives. In promoting change and a message remember that symbols can have a different meaning to individuals than you intended. When symbols carry too much of a distraction, it is best to adjust.

Whether it is youth, children, environment, elderly, arts, families, animals, education or any other focus; the outcome will measure whether the means was worth it. Leading in a different direction than those who lead before you does not mean that your a radical leader. Not accepting past practices as the only way to accomplish the organizations goals does not mean that your nonprofit organization is wrong. Being the first nonprofit to accept a new practice or state a new means to accomplish a goal does not mean your organization is advocating throwing out all past practices. It is OK to take risks. It is OK to be first. Invention and evolution comes with revolutionary ideas. An individual or nonprofit organization should expect to become a leader whom will be able to stand the time when their country or community or a group needs that extra effort to hold them together during a time of change. Asking for help is not admitting defeat. It takes a wise leader to know when to ask for help. One great example is the The Mozilla Foundation which can be found at mozilla.org. You might have heard of Mozilla Firefox, the open source browser.

Check this article out to see how the Non Profit world has jumped in to help find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

Music is everywhere. Waterfalls make music. Birds make music. People make music. Sometimes with their voice. Sometimes with an instrument. What ever you want to be can be your music.

From Papa:
The norm does not have to be the only way to deliver on the outcomes your nonprofit wishes to accomplish. If the all of the need was successfully reached then there would not be a need to evolve to reach those currently not served. A nonprofit to successfully evolve to promote their brand and to stand out among other nonprofits requires adapting and using all of the tools at an organization’s disposal. Remember to continuously learn and adapt to the changing environment that surrounds the nonprofit organization. An organization that has individuals with a passion towards their mission are usually able to achieve initial goals. Have a strategic plan. It provides the clear direction to be able to accomplish the set goals of the nonprofit.

Accomplishments are a great resource to create the right mood for donors and supporters to do more.

Here is an article that shows how money, and also time, can be beneficial to any non-profit especially in a time of economic slump.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20080526/NEWS/805260328/1178

pic by Robin Hutton

Do you know how many times your nonprofit has been seen by individuals in the community/geographic area you serve?

Try using email and an electronic newsletter to communicate.  It’s fast, effective and cost efficient.  You should see measurable results within six months.  Your contact list sitting on your desk does not communicate for you.  Use the technology that is free and already available to you to reach out and touch someone.  The library in your area is another great free resource that your organization probably has yet to use.  It is full of its volumes of information about the community you serve, its leaders and hidden jewels.

This article shows how the huge economic crisis we are in is effecting even charities.

There has been a lot of recent action by government officials to identify reasons to limit or terminate the tax exempt status of nonprofit organizations. What public good are you providing? What are you doing to lower the costs that you charge?

IRS Publication 557 is the reference document that a nonprofit organizations should refer to as a reminder of what it takes to be a tax exempt organization.

IRS Form 1023 is the reference document that a nonprofit organization should refer to as a reminder of what the IRS is reviewing to assess a nonprofit’s tax exempt status.

Refer back to your Articles of Organization to remind your nonprofit organization of the reason you were created and obtained your tax exempt status.

Why are you a nonprofit?  Why did the IRS give you a tax exempt status?  These two questions are important to understand to protect your status.

As individuals or organizations seek to reach their ultimate goals there are constant barriers and obstacles placed on them before they can achieve their goals.  The overcoming of these barriers and obstacles requires strategically planning where to place the time, effort, will and money to secure the release of those circumstances that have handcuffed ones achievement of their goals.  Government in passing regulations does not  conduct a due diligence to see if it conflicts with another regulation.  Government does not pass laws to be clear and concise.  Religion is very much like government in that it too has conflicting rules and interpretations. 

• The USA wants immigration but needs to scapegoat someone for problems.
• The USA says it does not discriminate but there is not enough of the pie for everyone to share.
• Nonprofits say they are helping where government does not but depend on government to fund many of their programs. 
• Soldiers serve the USA regardless of the conflict and fight for the benefits they were promised. 

Success is more likely to occur when an individual or nonprofit places its faith in their beliefs, vision and actions.  Success is more likely to open the gate to greener pastures and unshackle your efforts when the individual or nonprofit has a thought out plan. 

By wrapping oneself under the rules of the Constitution which come with the American flag there is almost no goal that is not achievable.  It is people who create obstacles.  It is leaders whom willingly and knowingly challenge the barriers and obstacles for the betterment of all that make change.