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| Path: Main Street : QuickGuides : Tough Times Essentials |
Welcome to our survival guide for tough times, down times, and all the time. The articles and resources below will help you keep your organization on track, no matter what challenges you might be facing.
If you know of a resource that you think we should add to our collection, please send an e-mail to editor@charityvillage.com with the details.
Articles | Other Online Survival Guides | Helpful Links |
Articles
- Managing endowments during difficult financial times
Many charities, and in particular foundations, that have established endowment funds are currently concerned about the impact caused by the recent downturn of the economy with regards to their reduced ability to meet their disbursement quota requirements under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Act"). This Charity Law Bulletin provides some general thoughts with regards to what can be done when a charity has insufficient income from an endowment fund to meet its disbursement quota under the Act. Read more. (April 13, 2009)
- A resource to capitalize on during tight financial times
When cash resources are tight, the value of volunteer resources assumes additional importance to nonprofits and governmental organizations. Every volunteer hour is value added to the organization. With well-planned and well-executed efforts, it is possible to bring an increased share of those resources to your organization during these challenging financial times. Read more. (March 23, 2009)
- Is it time for a financial fitness check-up?
It’s hard to ignore screaming headlines today about the sorry state of the US housing market. Talk shows are dominated by stories about hapless homeowners who unwittingly gorged themselves on mortgages they really couldn’t afford. As Warren Buffet says “It’s only when the tide goes out that you learn who’s been swimming naked.” Companies too from all sectors of the economy are being swept up in the financial tsunami. Everyone is paying the price for a decade of fiscal mismanagement. A hard lesson is being learned: financial prudence is critical to the survival of every individual and organization. Read more. (March 2, 2009)
- Balancing act: How to keep costs steady when funding isn’t
The world certainly feels topsy-turvy right now. Each day seems to bring new challenges to the economy...and new financial challenges for nonprofits. Your donations may be diminishing. Government funding may be declining. Membership may be falling. Sales may be receding. Any of these developments can challenge the financial stability of a nonprofit. Even organizations with healthy reserves are likely impacted by the turmoil in the financial markets, with investments taking a punch. Read more. (February 23, 2009)
- The ins and outs of wrongful dismissal for charities and nonprofits
The dismissal of an employee is never an easy or pleasant task. However, in these difficult economic times, the dismissal of an employee may be necessary to maintain the economic viability of your organization. The purpose of this Charity Law Bulletin (the “Bulletin”) is to set out the legal requirements for dismissing an employee and the risks and costs associated with a wrongful dismissal claim. Finally, the Bulletin will provide some guidance on how to decrease the risk of facing a wrongful dismissal claim by a former employee. Read more. (February 9, 2009)
- Leaner times call for leaner measures
In last week's article, I provided you with a simple framework that will assist you and your management team to assess the potential impact of the recession on your organization. Ideally you will have time to apply this framework and make any necessary changes in revenue forecasting in your upcoming fiscal budget. I imagine that you might have some difficulties in proactively assessing the actual anticipated decrease in funding from funders as they are quite tight lipped about sharing that type of information with the public...just yet. Read more. (February 9, 2009)
- Strategies to proactively assess the impact of the growing recession on your organization
Wherever you turn these days, there is no escaping the talk of financial doom and gloom. From newspaper articles to television news reports, from politicians and economists to the general public, the economic downturn and its impending consequences are on everyone’s minds and lips. Read more. (February 2, 2009)
- Fundraising fundamentals for the economic downturn
Last Thursday the Bank of Canada predicted a steep, short-term recession for the country ending sometime early next year; this despite economists at Canada's major financial institutions predicting a more protracted, difficult decline. Maclean's magazine published an article predicting that 250,000 Canadians could lose their jobs 2009. And Canada's voluntary sector waited with baited breath to hear what, if any, kind of economic stimulus package it would receive when the new budget was announced this week. Times are indeed tough. Read more. (January 26, 2009)- Now is the time to exercise your resiliency muscles
Now nonprofit organizations are coming to terms with the impact the economic recession is having on their financial sustainability. It is projected that major gifts will be down substantially and that new donor acquisition will be quite challenging. Read more. (January 26, 2009)
- Seven money tips to reduce fear-of-job-loss stress
It may be challenging to see opportunity in the midst of adversity - turbulent financial markets, a slowing economy and, for many, job worries - but action reduces anxiety and increases the chances of success. If you're stressed about losing your job, or are simply having trouble making ends meet, here are seven steps that can help you stabilize your financial situation. Read more. (January 22, 2009)
- Managing during tough economic times
Times are tough. Money is tight, cutbacks are on the rise and employment is on the decline. Bay street is exceptionally cautious these days as nervous anticipation sets in. The automobile industry, the media conglomerates, banks - they're all feeling the effects. But what about the country's nonprofit sector? How will they fare? What are their predictions for 2009 and beyond? Read more. (January 19, 2009)
- How some associations are coping in challenging economic times
While Canada officially resisted the R (recession) word much of 2008, the members and funders of not-for-profit organizations knew it would happen and this has been reflected in their 2009 business plans. As someone whose life work has been serving the not-for-profit community, I have observed have numerous associations have been coping in these challenging economic times. Here are some stories. Read more. (January 19, 2009)
- Volunteer engagement: Challenges in a new economic age
An anemic economy closed out 2008, and if pundits and experts across the globe are correct, the condition may well worsen in 2009. Though stories of economic hardship are unfortunately hardly rare for the charitable sector, the end of the decade may prove to be one of the toughest in at least one area: recruitment of volunteers. Read more. (January 12, 2009)
- Keeping staff informed and quelling the grapevine
I'm the executive director of a government-funded agency. Nothing is official, but word has it that we should expect reduced funding next year. The economic downturn is cutting into government revenues. My employees talk about little else among themselves. All this negative thinking can't be helping with service delivery. Is there anything I can do to manage this situation until our funding is clarified? Read more. (January 12, 2009)
- Layoffs in tough economic times
Given the economic downturn, it looks as if our fundraising will fall short. My board wants me to be proactive and start letting staff go. Our services are important to the community, so we want to survive. Are staff layoffs my most ethical option? Read more. (January 5, 2009)
- How market conditions affect charitable giving
With investors throughout the world facing the economic crunch of volatile markets, charities might expect to see a decrease in gifts of shares or stock, and may even feel uncomfortable talking to their donors about the potential of such gifts. In this podcast, find out how the downturn in the stock market affects these types of donations from the perspective of both the donor and the charity...Read more. (January 5, 2009)
- Storytelling in tough times
With media headlines blasting out news of market downturns, company closures, and bank failures, many donors are going to want to know where their contribution, big or small, should go to reach out to help others get through these tough times. Here are a few points to take into consideration when crafting your messages for support...Read more. (December 22, 2008)
- Donor recognition in the economic meltdown age
In the best of times, many nonprofits struggle with donor acquisition, retention, and, worst of all, lapsed donors. Now, with the North American financial markets imploding from the sub-prime mortgage fallout in the US, experts predict that voluntary sector organizations will need to refocus on the communication that truly reaches their donor populace...Read more. (December 8, 2008)
- Recession-ready fundraising: Recommendations for surviving hard times
In our economic climate, cutbacks on the part of grantmakers and donors will likely affect your ability to raise funds, requiring you to push that much harder to maintain financial stability. Here are ways to do so...Read more. (November 28, 2008)
- How to manage volunteers in difficult economic times
A US study confirms that when people are worried about their personal economic situation, overall giving and volunteering drops. So how are we going to manage volunteers in what many are describing as difficult economic times? Read more. (November 17, 2008)
- Career advice in a poor economic climate
"With the current economic environment, I am getting more and more worried about my job - donations are down, and we could have to start laying people off. I’ve got some big bills and need this income. What should I do?" Read more. (November 17, 2008)
- Gaining free publicity for nonprofits
Everyone wants free public relations, but how do you find ways to do this? Below is a list of the best ways to get your name and objectives out there. Read more. (November 17, 2008)
Other Research Articles
CharityVillage NewsWeek Archive
Other Online Survival Guides
Managing people through turbulent times (HR Council for the Voluntary & Nonprofit Sector)
- Arts Funding Response and Readiness Kit (Americans for the Arts)
- Defending Local Grants (NAVCA)
- 2008 Online Fundraising Survival Guide (Network for Good)
- The Nonprofit Hard Times Survival Guide (About.com)
- Navigating the Financial Crisis: A Nonprofit FAQ (Nonprofit Finance Fund)
- Tools for Managing & Governing Through Tough Times (Georgia Centre for Nonprofits)
- Nonprofit Economic Vitality Centre (National Council of Nonprofits)
- A Survival Kit for Fundraising in a Bad Economy (Association of Fundraising Professionals)
- Sustenance in Lean Times (Nonprofits Assistance Fund)
- Fundraising in Tough Times: A No-Nonsense Guide to Surviving in a Challenging Economy (Mal Warwick Associates)
Helpful Links
- CharityVillage Sources of Funding Find links to online databases and directories of funding agencies and foundations of interest to Canadian individuals and organizations.
- CharityVillage e-Newsletters Stay up to date on current developments in the nonprofit sector, and find out what's new on our site.
- CharityVillage Campus Low-cost online learning opportunities to help every member of your organization.
- CRA Charities Directorate The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) registers qualifying organizations as charities, gives technical advice on operating a charity, and handles audit and compliance activities.
- HR Council for the Voluntary & Nonprofit Sector The premiere source of information, tools and research related to human resources in the voluntary and nonprofit sector in Canada.
- Imagine Canada Works to advance the role and interests of the charitable and voluntary sectors for the benefit of Canadian communities.
- Volunteer Canada Represents and advocates volunteerism in Canada. Includes resources, information, and a directory of volunteer organizations.
- Other Online Resources at CharityVillage
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