Non-Profit Insider Blog

JDMason recommends: Accounting lessons from the recession

2011-05-20T17:31:12Z

Ret Boney | March, 2011

With unemployment at a two-year low and consumer spending the rise, it's possible the economy finally is looking up.

And while the charitable sector's recovery typically lags that of the overall economy, there is evidence that funding cuts are slowing and nonprofit revenues are picking up, according to a new study from The Bridgespan Group.

But the pain is far from over, sector experts say, and it's time for nonprofits to heed the painful accounting advice dealt out by the recession if they are to rebuild strong and stable financial bases.

Find out how to rebuild! Go to the complete article at:
http://www.philanthropyjournal.org/resources/special-reports/finance-accounting/accounting-lessons-recession

(Source: Philanthropy Journal)

JDMason recommends: Few Charities Are Raising Big Amounts Via Social Media

2011-05-13T20:11:00Z

Few Charities Are Raising Big Amounts Via Social Media, Says Study

By Nicole Wallace

Not many charities are raising significant amounts of money through social networks, but the ones that are come in a variety of sizes, according to a new study.

Fewer than 3 percent of the 11,196 nonprofit groups that responded to the Nonprofit Social Network Benchmark survey said that they raised more than $10,000 on Facebook in 2010. (Please go to nonprofitsocialnetworksurvey.com/ for the complete report.)

But of the 27 charities that reported raising more than $100,000 on Facebook, 30 percent had annual budgets of $1-million to $5-million.

Nearly nine out of 10 organizations in the survey said they have a presence on Facebook. Almost 60 percent of the groups use Twitter, and nearly a third say they are on LinkedIn.

The study was sponsored by the Nonprofit Technology Network; Blackbaud, a fund-raising software company, in Charleston, S.C.; and Common Knowledge, a technology-consulting company in San Francisco.

(Source: The Chronicle of Philanthropy)

JDMason recommends: SAGE Solutions for Summertime HR Challenges

2011-05-06T12:28:00Z

Here are some HR best practices to keep in mind as you and your organization approach summer:

The Memorial Day Holiday Weekend will be here soon and with its arrival comes a unique set of HR and Payroll challenges. Now is the time to prepare for employee vacations and unavoidable summer “sick days”. To ensure there is adequate coverage for your nonprofit, ask yourself, “Is the vacation policy working?” Recall last summer, was there a particular time when a project was delayed or you were short staffed? If the answer is yes, then you may want to consider incorporating the following best practices into your vacation policy:

Ask employees to coordinate their vacation schedules with each other before they submit their requests for time off to their supervisor.
Encourage employees to develop a coverage plan that details and prioritizes the work they will need help with during their absence. A coverage plan provides team members with an expectation and understanding of the workload they will carry while a colleague is on vacation.
Once schedules have been worked through at the team level, require employees to seek time off in advance and receive approval from their immediate supervisor or team lead.
Empower employees and managers with the ability to submit, track and review requests for vacation by using an integrated, accessible HR Management or Payroll system.

Including these best practices in your vacation policy and procedures takes the burden of coordination off your HR/Payroll department and ensures that individuals are responsible and accountable for coverage during their vacation.

Of course, no matter how much planning goes into ensuring adequate coverage in the summer months, there will always be unexpected absences. The symptoms of summer “sick days” are easily recognizable. The first symptom is a great weather day and the second symptom is when an otherwise healthy employee calls in unexpectedly with Friday fever.

Left unchecked repeat sick day offenders affect team productivity and morale as workloads unexpectedly increase for team members. To avoid this scenario be sure to have a policy in place to confirm illnesses in a consistent manner. Keeping a calendar view of employee days off helps to quickly reveal a pattern of repeat, unexpected absences. Managers are then empowered to address the issue one-on-one. Or, if there is an epidemic of absenteeism during warm weather months, you may want to consider implementing a "Paid Time Off" policy that doesn't distinguish between vacation and sick time.

Ideally your HR or Payroll system will 1) provide managers with visibility into employee vacation days and absences and 2) enable individuals to self manage their time whether its vacation requests or entering sick days once they have been taken.

Source: Sage Fund Accounting Forum

We are a "Bright Spot" in Crain's Cleve Biz

2011-04-13T20:16:00Z

To our valued clients and colleagues:

We are proud to be included in last month's Crain's Cleveland Business as one of Cleveland's "Bright Spots."

We continue to be proud to serve you as well as excited to serve Cleveland's non-profit organizations.

Bright Spots: March 3, 2011

By SCOTT SUTTELL
March 2, 2011

It's not all bad out there. Here's the latest installment of a weekly web feature that highlights positive developments in the Northeast Ohio business community.

JDMason & Associates Inc. of Cleveland, a consulting firm serving the nonprofit community, is wrapping up an assignment with a high-profile global client.

The client is the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), which has offices in New York, Washington D.C., and Bangkok. It's an international nonprofit dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education and the advocacy of public policy issues related to AIDS.

JDMason said it's assisting amfAR in "the implementation and deployment of a comprehensive replacement accounting solution that includes business process strategy and staff training." The 10-month project concludes this spring.

Among JDMason's other health-related clients are the Catholic Medical Mission Board and the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development.

JDMason & Associates Announces VP’s CFRE International Certification

2011-02-24T20:06:00Z

JDMason & Associates is pleased to announce the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) certification of their Vice President of Development Services, Ellen W. Bender. CFRE certification is the only internationally recognized baseline professional credential for philanthropic fundraising executives. Ms. Bender joined JDMason & Associates in August 2009 and leads the firm in all development consulting activities.

JDMASON & Associates garners international client, amfAR

2011-02-24T19:52:00Z

JDMason & Associates announces its newest global client, amFAR. amfAR, the American Foundation for AIDS Research with offices in New York, Washington D.C., and Bangkok, is an international non-profit dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy.

JDMA is currently assisting amFAR in the implementation and deployment of a comprehensive replacement accounting solution that includes business process strategy and staff training. The ten month project concludes this spring.

JDMA welcomes new client, North Country HealthCare

2011-02-24T19:48:00Z

JDMA is pleased to welcome its newest client, North Country HealthCare in Flagstaff, AZ. JDMA will be providing a software solution including professional installation, set-up, implementation and training services that fully meet the NCHC’s requirements. JDMA will deploy a robust budget module system that will integrate with NCHC’s existing MIP Fund Accounting software. This budget module will accommodate a flexible workflow model to maximize efficiency within NCHC’s current budgeting system, providing maximum flexibility and providing all stakeholders with timely and accurate access to information and multiple levels of approval.

North Country HealthCare’s mission is to provide accessible, affordable, comprehensive, quality primary healthcare in an atmosphere of respect, dignity, and cultural sensitivity. The health and well being of patients and community alike are promoted through direct services, training/education, outreach, and advocacy.

Welcome

2009-09-23T15:52:18Z

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