Tools for managing a nonprofit

Guidance on which direct and indirect costs nonprofit service providers can include in City grants and contracts.

The City establishes policy to align with this guidance in many cases, and many nonprofit grants and contracts including federal funding where these policies apply more explicitly.

This guide contains suggested financial policies and procedures to help nonprofits:

• Protect their assets
• Ensure accurate financial record keeping
• Make financial decisions
• Establish operating standards and train staff members
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local legal and reporting requirements

Learn the basics of creating financial policies for your organization.

Sample policies and procedures for small nonprofits that do not have an administrator with financial expertise. 

Checklist for resolving issues related to:

• Cash receipts and disbursements
• Petty cash
• Payroll
• Fixed assets
• Financial statements

Learn about time tracking requirements and best practices.

Sample template for budgeting across your organization.

Learn the basics of building a budget and projecting cash flow.

Learn how to allocate indirect and shared costs across programs and administration.

Workbook to help you understand nonprofit expenses and help you learn acceptable allocation methods.

Training materials from our budgeting workshop.

Best practices for creating a board of directors’ policy manual, including information on:

• Bylaws
• Fundraising responsibilities
• Filling board vacancies

Learn about board governance and member responsibilities.

A board's key objectives, functions, and responsibilities.

Learn what to include in your board's handbook.

This checklist will help you assess your board and make sure it has people with the right skills and is involved in the right activities to help your organization thrive.

Set rules and standards for your board members using this sample conflict of interest policy as a model.

Assess what skills and qualities your board members or potential board members have.

Learn the different roles and duties a Board of Directors must fulfill.

Sample Document Retention and Destruction Policy to use as a model.

Sample Policy on Protecting Personally Identifiable Information to use as a model.

Sample Whistleblower Policy to use as a model.

Sample Drug and Alcohol Policy to use as a model.

Sample Travel Policy to use as a model.

Nonprofits in the Monitoring Program must have a written policy on how they comply with the Sunshine Ordinance to ensure access to public records. Use this sample as a model.