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In late February 2015 the Independent Sector released its updates to the Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practices, a set of 33 principles that guide self-governance for nonprofit organizations and foundations.  The 2015 edition is the first time these principles have been significantly updated since they were initially released in 2007. 

Beginning in 2018, organizations that provide high-cost employer-sponsored healthcare to employees will be required to pay a non-deductible excise tax, dubbed the “Cadillac tax.”  Organizations that afford more than $10,200 per individual and $27,500 per family for employee healthcare will be taxed 40% of the overage amount (pre-tax employer contributions to HRAs, HSAa, FSAs, and MSAs are included). By 2018, the American Health Policy Institute predicts that 38% of large employers (with more than 1000 employees) will have to pay the tax, and 17% of all businesses in the US will be responsible for payment.

While healthcare coverage reporting isn’t mandatory for applicable large employee (ALE) members until 2016 (for the 2015 tax year), many organizations want to get a jump start on identifying exactly what that reporting will look like for future returns.  As such, the IRS has finalized forms 1094-C and 1095-C, which can be filed on a voluntary basis for 2014 tax returns.

Keeping up with social media is a key aspect of marketing for nonprofits. But it can also be an overwhelming task considering how quickly new social media outlets come on board and how much information passes through them each day. 

We’re already a month into the new year, and you’re looking for new information to improve the performance of your nonprofit: Are you considering alternate marketing strategies? Interested in learning about a recent piece of software or technology? Or is there a certain segment of the philanthropic population you just can’t seem to crack? Here, in chronological order, are suggestions for some of the top conferences in the United States for nonprofits to gather, exchange information, and generally up their game in 2015:

New rules from the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) now require all levels of government – federal, state, and local – to reimburse non-profits for “reasonable” overhead and administrative costs incurred while working on government projects. The new rules, called the Uniform Guidance, took effect on December 26, 2014 and apply to any projects that are funded wholly or partially through government funds.

 The new year is a good time to think through processes, objectives and goals for for-profits and nonprofits alike. Here are some items to think about as we head into the new year. 

Last fall Amazon launched AmazonSmile, a program that allows shoppers to choose their favorite nonprofit organization, and then Amazon donates 0.05% of the purchase to the chosen organization. For more information on the program, click here.