A nonprofit organization’s mission is to ensure the prosperity of a cause, involving the public or charity, that requires additional funding and support. Bylaws are established by a nonprofit in the form of a written document stating the set rules of its internal operating systems. These founded principals reinforce the organization’s accountability and transparency.
Bylaws are not usually public and are mostly used to guide the internal powers of the
organization. However, the state and federal government look at a nonprofit’s bylaws to ensure the organization is governed ethically.
Summary
What should Bylaws Include?
Bylaws are required to provide your nonprofit organization with structure and procedure. Bylaws help define aspects of functionality for the executive director, board members, and officers.
For the board of directors, the document identifies the directors’ roles and responsibilities, and the size of the board. This ensures that board members are taking accountability for their set obligations.
The navigation of grant money, board meeting procedures, and the appointment of board members are also strategically planned and stated in a nonprofit’s bylaws to ensure the nonprofit works in compliance with their own set guidelines.
Why are Bylaws Important?
All nonprofits need a strong establishment of rules, regulations, and organization to function efficiently. An operating manual is essential to ensure the organization is working in compliance with all state and federal laws.
These rules provide structure on how to solve issues that may arise and addresses the division of responsibilities of board members. This allows everyone to take accountability for their duties and obligations. If a member of the board or an officer fails to conduct their duties, this incompetence can be identified, and consequences will be placed on the individual.
Bylaws are not public documents, but they can be viewed by any interested party upon request. It would be a good idea for your nonprofit to keep this document updated in case of a request.
The more speedily you can provide the interested party with the organization’s bylaws, the more transparent you are viewed as an organization.
The board of directors can decide whether they want to post the bylaws for anyone and everyone to view or to keep it undisclosed to the public unless requested.
What does the IRS Require for All Bylaws?
Bylaws are a required legal document for nonprofits to possess and practice. The IRS requires all 501(c) organizations to provide any updates of bylaws to be reported on the nonprofit’s annual report (990). The nonprofit board and officers should meet quarterly to review what has been set and determine whether alternations are necessary to improve organizational efficiency.
If an outsider or supporter of a nonprofit organization requests a copy of their bylaws, the federal law requires that the nonprofit provides them with the document. An interested party can either get this document by asking the nonprofit organization directly, requesting it from the IRS, or requesting it from state officials.
It is highly recommended that board members and officers review their bylaws frequently, keeping them updated and ready for release if requested. It is not considered to be a public document, but it is required by federal and state laws. Since every nonprofit organization is unique, bylaws allow a nonprofit to express its rules and regulations for the process of fulfilling its mission.
Financing Solutions Nonprofit Line of Credit Product
It has always been hard for a nonprofit to get a business line of credit and a business loan. Banks require that all business loans for nonprofits have collateral and personal guarantees which for most small nonprofits is very hard to obtain.
Financing Solutions is a leading provider of business loans for nonprofits in the form of a 501c3/not-for-profit line of credit. Most nonprofits use their credit line for times when cash flow is down and expenses, like payroll, rent, etc. must be paid on time.
The nonprofit line of credit requires no collateral or personal guarantees. If your nonprofit is doing $200,000 per year in revenue and the Executive Director or board member signing the contract has a 650 or better credit score, you will be approved.
The nonprofit credit line costs nothing to set up and nothing until used making it a great cash backup plan. When you use the line it is very inexpensive and can be paid back at any time. The no-obligation, online application takes 2-minutes to fill out and there is no credit check required.
