October 21, 2013
Nonprofit leaders struggling to provide services while also maintaining the day-to-day responsibilities of their organization can become overwhelmed. There are services available that understand the complexity and importance of the hurdles that nonprofits encounter, such as UI tax insurance and complicated HR issues.
HR outsourcing option
Nonprofits that have found they are cash-strapped and failing to concentrate on their mission as a result of weak human resources department may want to consider outsourcing. One way this benefits the nonprofit is not having to choose between an employee that has a strong skill set for daily responsibilities but lacks managerial skills, or vice-versa.
According to Nonprofit Quarterly, there are many reasons that nonprofits choose to outsource HR, including:
Outsourcing HR helps nonprofit organizations relieve HR headaches – regardless of what they might be – by leaving the job in the hands of professionals. Organizations can turn over all HR responsibilities to an outside firm, or use them to supplement existing department employees. HR responsibilities can occur off site, or outsourced employees can work at the nonprofit's office.
Options for handling UI responsibilities
Just as employment laws can create headaches for HR departments, UI tax can also place a burden on nonprofits. Nonprofits do have the option to take UI into their own hands by self-insuring, which removes the unpredictability of state UI tax pool trust funds, but replaces them with unprotected liabilities. However, self-insuring is not the only option for nonprofits that leave state UI tax pools.
Similar to the full outsourcing of HR responsibilities, nonprofits can opt out of state UI tax pools and join private UI groups. Private insurance offers nonprofits the same savings as other state UI tax alternatives but with more options and less risk. They also help nonprofits manage claims, ensuring that they are operating within the guidelines of a self-reimbursing employer.
Financial management and consulting services
Nonprofits can also turn to outside experts for help managing their financials. Services, such as those offered by First Nonprofit group, can help directors, executives and management teams in a variety of ways.
Consultants can help nonprofits review the effectiveness of their financial statements, improve competency and practice, and prepare a comprehensive plan. Financial consulting services can also help nonprofits increase funding by evaluating current strategies and helping to design new ones.
Content presented by First Nonprofit Companies, the leading provider of a full-range of state unemployment insurance alternatives for 501(c)(3) nonprofit employers.
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Working with Marshal Whittey at First Nonprofit has been a great experience. He handles our request as a priority and goes above and beyond to resolve any issues we have in a timely manner. Marshall follows through to the end and ensures our needs are met. He has been a great resource for LSC and our “go to” for any tax questions we may have. With LSC transitioning several facilities into one federal tax identification number, First Nonprofit was able to assist and provide guidance with best practices resolving claims to each entity. Additionally First Nonprofit provided knowledge (information materials) and one on one training to HRS group with best practices to handle claims state adjudicated, fraudulent claims, and appeals. And processing information in the First Nonprofit [unemployment claims] system allows for timely information can be collected.
My experience with FNP has been wonderful. Unemployment in general is quite confusing and FNP has simplified the process for us. Everyone we have reached out to or worked with has been very helpful and follows up to be sure we understand the information. I am so happy we made the switch to FNP!
First Nonprofit smoothed the unemployment perils for our organization during Covid. Without the ability to cap our UI exposure, we would not have been able to weather the storm. The program worked perfectly and we have come out of the pandemic ready to forge on. Thanks FNP!
My experience with the FNP has been fantastic. The idea of setting funds aside for the unemployment tax liability is a bedrock for nonprofit organizations like mine, namely ASHBA; what is even more advantageous is having the FNP as a custodian of those funds. 100% recommended!
I would like to comment on my experience with FNP….to date our District has saved $1,000’s of dollars by being enrolled in the First Nonprofit program. My only regret is that we did not know about this method of paying unemployment tax years ago….as I had figured about five years
ago, had we enrolled 15-20 years ago, we could have saved our small school district upwards of $500,000 in payments to IDES. Also we would have had a pretty hefty sum of money in our Reserve Account. Thankfully I attended a workshop hosted by First Nonprofit back in 2015 which got the ball rolling!
I have worked with the First Non-Profit Team for many years, and I appreciate the quick response and care that Cecilia and the team provides anytime I have questions. While there are other providers that may provide like services, First Nonprofit will always be my first choice! I appreciate you!
First Nonprofit has been easy to work with and makes the administrative process easier and smoother. We enjoy working with you.
Luckily for us, our interactions regarding any issues with staffing has been very minimal! I can say that all other interactions with regards to billing, 941 reporting, etc. have been extremely pleasant, accommodating and easy to work with. Kim Ghanayem is always prompt, professional and friendly. Thank you so much!