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How to Measure the Health of Your Organization  by Rachel Mouton, iFunds & Give Smart OKC Manager

As a nonprofit organization, we have a responsibility to our donors to honor the intention of their contribution. However, the ultimate respect we can show our closest constituents is demonstrating our desire to ensure the success of our mission and the knowledge that our services will be available not only today, but also in three months, three years and throughout the next generation. This means that we have to know our current financial capacity while saving for the future. This 2018 article released by BDO provides a liquidity calculation tool that can help you determine if your nonprofit organization is financially strong by dividing an organization’s cash and easy-to-access assets by its liabilities. So what can you do if your organization has more liabilities than cash, and what does it mean for the future? Two ideas spring to mind to improve the financial health of your organization and illustrate to your donors that you are invested in the future:

Establish an operating reserve fund. Reserve three to six months of expenses by setting aside a small percentage of the additional revenue you receive each month and placing it in an interest-earning account. This will help cover operating costs during the lean months of fundraising. Establish and/or grow your endowment fund. This will help ensure the future of your organization in years to come, as the principal of your endowment will be invested and your organization will receive an annual distribution on the investment to assist with operating costs.

Note: One savings option for an organization with endowment funds at a value of more than $100,000 is a Nonprofit Spendable Fund which enjoys the same investment performance as our general pool but is not permanently endowed. Contact us for more details about this long-term savings option.

By committing a set amount each year to endowment, or reinvesting your annual distribution, you can grow your endowment to provide for your organization in the future.  Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Show your donors that you are committed to your mission by sharing your plan for the future through your Give Smart OKC profile. Utilize the Financial Comments sub tab under the Financials tab to do this. Don’t forget to contact me at 405/606-2918 if you have questions or need help.

In addition to providing your Form 990, we encourage you to use our Financials Tab Worksheet to easily complete the Financials section of your Give Smart OKC profile. Submit the completed form to me.

Your Connection to Local Charities The Oklahoma City Community Foundation is pleased to present our 2019 Charitable Organization Endowment Review to help donors identify strong, effective nonprofit organizations throughout central Oklahoma. From the arts to education, the environment to health and wellness, this publication can help donors connect to charitable organizations as well as learn how they can support these organizations through the Community Foundation. 

Pick up your copy at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation today, or check out our digital version here.

Mindful Meditation Retreat  with Marnie Kennedy  Join the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and the INTEGRIS James Hall Jr. Center for Mind Body and Spirit for a FREE mindfulness retreat for central Oklahoma nonprofit staff.  Registration is required and can be made through the INTEGRIS HealthLine at 405/951-2277 or 888/951-2277.  Saturday, May 18 | 9 a.m. to Noon Oklahoma City Community Foundation, 3rd Floor 1000 N. Broadway Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73102

At the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, we are fortunate to witness the people, places, activities, events and organizations that work together to make our city a great place every day, but we want others to see it, too. Wherever you see the good in our community, share it by using  #OKC4Good  and join the movement! Learn more at OCCF.org/OKC4Good.

Upcoming Events

Seeds of Planned Giving Join us at 11:30 a.m. to learn more about Charitable Gift Annuities. Register here .

GiveSmartOKC Join us at 11:30 a.m. to l earn how to promote your organization and inform donors using your Give Smart OKC profile. Register here .

Focus on Endowment Join us at 11:30 a.m. to learn more about how you can use DonorCentral to keep up with your endowment.

View 2019 Charitable Organization Training Calendar

Upcoming Grant Deadlines

Mar. 29 | Access to Health Care and Services for the Elderly iFund Grant Applications Due

Nonprofit Resources

DonorCentral

View the balance of your endowment fund and gifts from donors.

The Toolkit

Tools to help you promote your endowment.

IRS.gov for Nonprofits

Guidance, compliance and requirements to help you in your nonprofit journey.

Contacts:

‌	Jennifer Meckling Charitable Organization Endowment Program Director 405/606-2951

‌	Rachel Mouton Manager, iFunds & Give Smart OKC 405/606-2918

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