IRS Form 990: Public Relations Opportunity or Trap for the Unwary?

Because Form 990 tax information returns of nonprofits are instantly available on the Internet, we have said for many years that they can be an organization's most important public relations document.

They can also be traps that lead to confusion, serious adverse publicity, media inquiries, and governmental sanctions.

And, with more funders and potential donors using AI to read and analyze 990s, the stakes for getting this information right are even higher.

This session will view the full (long form) Form 990 on a line-by-line basis, pointing out things that will be important for a potential donor, a regulator, the media, an employee and the all-seeing AI. It will discuss the opportunities for using the Form to show the world that you are making a difference and utilizing best practices in governance and transparency in your operations.  

Follow your own 990 line by line as we discuss:

• How to enhance your statement of your mission and your program service accomplishments
• The responsibility of filing under penalty of perjury.  
• The magic power of Schedule O
• The presentation of salary information, the most carefully read page of the Form
• The importance of the governance questions
• The allocation of costs and expenses and the “overhead myth”
• The most frequent errors on Schedule A
• And much more

Purchasers will receive a copy of the "Form 990 Compendium," the Standards for Excellence Educational Resource Packet containing sample policies and other important content to ensure your Form 990 can be a strong relational tool with the public, donors, media and the government. Listeners should have their most recent Form 990 available during the program to see how they match up.

Here is what some of the participant’s in last year’s webinar had to say about the program:

• Exceptionally good
• A wealth of great information and advice
• Many great insights and tips
• Materials were excellent

Every respondent to our participant survey said they learned something that they would use in their work.  94% said they would recommend the program to others.

Nonprofit Issues^® editor Don Kramer and Melissa Sines, Interim Standards of Excellence Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations, will present the program.

Not a current Nonprofit Issues subscriber? Purchase this webinar and receive a three-month introductory subscription for FREE

While we typically encourage people to watch/listen to the presentation in a group setting, we understand that might not be possible now. Therefore, we are offering special discount pricing for multiple participants. When registrants pay one full registration ($89/$75.65 for subscribers), they can then add up to 5 additional people for a flat rate of $45 for the group. Add multiple participants by adding this product to your cart.

This program is approved to provide continuing legal and continuing professional education credits for lawyers and accountants in Pennsylvania.

Can't attend the live event? Buy the webinar and we'll send you the recording.