Frequently Asked Questions

Michael Eubanks, Arkansas Arts on Tour Artist. Picture Provided by the Arkansas Arts Council.

Purpose

• What is a mission statement?
• Can I change my mission statement?
• What is a vision statement?

Planning

• What is strategic planning?
• What are the basics of strategic planning?
• How can I write my own strategic plan?

Financial Transparency

• How can I strengthen my transparency and accountability?
• How can I self audit?
• What are the roles and responsibilities of my audit committee?
• How do I keep donor records?
• What do I put in my annual report?
• Where can I find tax information on nonprofits and other charities?

Media Relations

• How can I pitch nonprofit stories to the media?
• How can I make press relations better?

Budgets and Finance

• How do I prepare a budget?
• How can I budget accordingly?
• How do I interpret my financial statements?
• How can I find an accountant?

Ethics

• How can I evaluate my ethics?
• What are appropriate nonprofit gift acceptance policies?
• How can I develop a strong code of ethics and statement of values?
• Can nonprofits make a profit?
• How do I write a whistleblower policy?

Risk Management

• What is risk management?
• Where can I learn more about risk management?
• How do I insure my directors and officers?
• How can I prepare for a disaster?
• How can I manage technology risks?

Human Resources

• What should I put in my employee handbook?
• How do I find new employees?
• How do I orient new employees?
• How can I effectively supervise my staff?
• How can I find volunteers?
• How can I effectively manage my volunteers?
  
  

Technology

• Where can I find downloadable software?
• What guidelines should my employees follow when using the Internet and email?
• How can I cost and fund ICT?
• How can I use technology to achieve my mission?

Needs Assessment, Evaluation and Partnerships

• How can I assess my community’s need?
• How can I partner with other community based organizations?
• How do I conduct an environmental scan?
• How can I find other organizations in my area?
• How can I evaluate my organization’s activities?

Executive Director Leadership

• How do I hire or transition a new executive director?
• How do I evaluate the chief executive?
• How can I better my chief executives supervisory skills?
• How do I write a succession plan?

Board Structure and Functions

• How do I compensate my Board members?
• What are the different types of Board committees?
• What should I ask when interviewing prospective Board members?
• How should I structure my Board?
• Who can serve on my Board?
• How can I build Board diversity?
• What should my Board policies look like?
• What goes into my conflict of interest policy?
• How do I conduct Board meetings?
• What are the job descriptions of Board members?
• What are nonprofit bylaws?
• How do I write my bylaws?