HR9495 is stirring up concern among nonprofit leaders, particularly those engaged in advocacy, grassroots, and social justice work. This bill has the potential to heighten scrutiny and even revoke tax-exempt status for organizations deemed "dangerous." In this episode, I break down how you can safeguard your nonprofit from this uncertainty by building resilience in four key areas: mission alignment, governance, compliance, and transparency. I’ll guide you through actionable steps and questions to help your organization stay strong, prepared, and impactful in 2025.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why organizational resilience is critical for navigating scrutiny and funding challenges.
• The 4 essential areas to focus on: mission alignment, governance, compliance, and transparency.
• Practical, actionable steps to ensure your nonprofit is prepared for increased oversight.

Key Takeaways:

1. Align your programs and activities with your mission to strengthen trust and legitimacy.
2. An engaged and informed board is vital for legal compliance and strategic accountability.
3. Transparent financial and operational practices build donor trust and mitigate risks.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Mission Alignment
   • Assess whether all programs align with your stated mission.
   • Define clear, mission-aligned success metrics.
   • Ensure advocacy activities comply with IRS and legal guidelines.
   • Action: Collect and organize data to demonstrate impact.
2. Governance
   • Ensure board members understand their fiduciary duties.
   • Identify and address organizational risks.
   • Strengthen board committees for compliance and accountability.
   • Action: Conduct a board review and create a risk register.
3. Compliance
   • Review federal filings, state registrations, and organizational policies.
   • Build systems to handle scrutiny and mitigate compliance gaps.
   • Develop policies for donor privacy, anti-terrorism funding, and whistleblower protections.
   • Action: Conduct a legal audit and update policies.
4. Transparency
   • Document internal financial controls and establish clear approval processes.
   • Be transparent about funding sources and expenditures.
   • Action: Review financial controls and address overlooked risk areas.

Resources Mentioned:

• Resilience Ready Toolkit: Includes discussion guides, checklists, models, and templates for mission alignment, governance, compliance, and transparency. Get it here.
• ACLU Overview of HR9495: In-depth breakdown of the bill and its implications. Visit ACLU.
• NY Lawyers for Public Interest: Additional perspectives on HR9495. Visit NYLPI.

Want to work together?

Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations that want a smart, powerful playbook for taking their growing organization to the next level.

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