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Financial Contingency Planning: The Importance of Asking “What If?” Before It’s Time to Ask “What Now?” https://leadershipcouncil.us/blog/financial-contingency-planning-the-importance-of-asking-what-if-before-its-time-to-ask-what-now/ Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 EST https://leadershipcouncil.us/blog/financial-contingency-planning-the-importance-of-asking-what-if-before-its-time-to-ask-what-now/

By Nathan Musgrove, CPA & Founding Partner

Excelsior Accounting Services

 

If you're leading a nonprofit right now, chances are there is one particular stressor that is keeping you tossing and turning at night – funding. Federal grants that seemed secure just months ago are suddenly frozen or gone entirely. For many small nonprofits, this isn't just a budget headache – it's an existential threat. When 30%, 40%, or even 50% of your revenue disappears overnight, every decision feels impossibly high-stakes.

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Nonprofit Boards Navigating Uncertain Times https://leadershipcouncil.us/blog/nonprofit-boards-navigating-uncertain-times/ Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 EST https://leadershipcouncil.us/blog/nonprofit-boards-navigating-uncertain-times/

by Elizabeth Benson, Executive Director

(originally published in Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News, 8/14/25)

 

Times have changed for nonprofit boards. It’s not enough to lend your name and a few hours to your chosen cause. Whether it’s increased funding pressure, shifting policies from the local to federal level, or the ever-increasing demand for the public’s attention, more is needed. A board’s ability to provide strategic guidance, demonstrate resilience, and show compassionate support to staff and constituents alike can make the difference in an organization’s future relevance and sustainability.

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Leadership Development in a Safe, Supportive, Confidential Space https://leadershipcouncil.us/blog/leadership-development-in-a-safe-supportive-confidential-space/ Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 EST https://leadershipcouncil.us/blog/leadership-development-in-a-safe-supportive-confidential-space/

Have you ever wished you had a trusted group of nonprofit peers to coach, encourage, validate, challenge, support, and hold you accountable as you grow as a leader? Then consider our Leaders Circles program. In 2024-25, 160+ people participated in 18 different Leaders Circles and shared that this program was one of their best sources of support and professional development.

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Expanded Securing the Future Conference in the Works for 2025 https://leadershipcouncil.us/blog/expanded-securing-the-future-conference-in-the-works-for-2025/ Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:00:00 EST https://leadershipcouncil.us/blog/expanded-securing-the-future-conference-in-the-works-for-2025/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact:

Beth Benson, Executive Director

513-520-0949

bbenson@leadershipcouncil.us

 

Cincinnati, Ohio, April 2, 2025 - Leadership Council for Nonprofits and Barnes Dennig are joining forces to expand the annual Securing the Future conference designed for nonprofit leadership, both staff and boards, in the Tristate region.

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Introducing "A Force for Good" https://leadershipcouncil.us/blog/introducing-a-force-for-good/ Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:00:00 EST https://leadershipcouncil.us/blog/introducing-a-force-for-good/

We are pleased to launch “A Force for Good,” combining existing and new programming to position the nonprofit sector as a career of choice for jobseekers at all levels.

 

A natural complement to longstanding Leadership Council programming, A Force for Good has 3 focus areas:

 

1. Nonprofit HR Practice (including recruitment/retention, culture, and compensation)

2. Career Pathway Education (at all levels of educational attainment)

3. Advocacy and Public Relations (positioning the sector as an economic force and career of choice)

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Seven Red Flags of Form 990: Avoid an Audit https://leadershipcouncil.us/blog/seven-red-flags-of-form-990-avoid-an-audit/ Tue, 21 Jan 2025 00:00:00 EST https://leadershipcouncil.us/blog/seven-red-flags-of-form-990-avoid-an-audit/

by Jenna Senn

Clark Schaefer Hackett

 

The IRS may decide to audit your nonprofit organization for various reasons, with one of the most frequent triggers being a red flag raised by your annual Form 990 filing, "Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax."

 

Continue reading to discover seven common areas of IRS scrutiny and discover strategies to minimize your audit risk.

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