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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We first started using First Nonprofit’s Unemployment Savings Program when we were a small startup nonprofit. We didn’t have an HR department and needed expertise in the event that an unemployment claim was made. We knew we were eligible to be a reimbursing employer, but weren’t sure how to navigate that process. They made it easy to set things up, plan for, and then manage claims when they came at a very reasonable cost. The amount of time and stress they’ve saved us dealing with all this has been worth way more than the cost. We’ve now grown to a large nonprofit and do have an HR department but have no plans to stop using their services. I highly recommend them to every nonprofit I come into contact with!
Throughout our membership in the Unemployment Savings Program, First Nonprofit understood our demands, community dynamics, and the importance of seamless services; that allowed us to serve our constituents better.
Because INCS advocates for the operating conditions that allow charter public schools to provide high quality public education, partnering with First Nonprofit was an easy decision. First Nonprofit’s unemployment programs provide our member schools two operating elements crucial to their ability to provide high quality public education: savings and budget certainty. Capable, committed teachers are the key to student success. By participating in the unemployment insurance savings plan, charter public schools gain peace of mind and are able to invest more money in their teachers.
It has been our sincere pleasure to maintain a strong, vibrant business partnership with First Nonprofit. We greatly admire their strong industry knowledge, technical expertise, constant professionalism, knowledgeable and dedicated staff. They are always extremely responsive, personable and provide us with the necessary guidance and recommendations on a numerous variety of employment scenarios.
NYCON members who use First Nonprofit’s programs enjoy enduring savings and improved efficiency. Our association knows that success, because from the beginning, we achieved the same great benefits. Great savings, seamless technology, and responsive service. NYCON highly recommends First Nonprofit’s remarkable unemployment solutions.
Visually Impaired Preschool Services has been a client of First Non-Profit since it was first offered as a benefit of VisionServe Alliance. We completed a thorough evaluation of cash savings to our agency before taking advantage of this wonderful benefit and it has been a very wise decision. Our experience with the processes from accounting to claims have been professional, expeditious and easy.
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!
First Nonprofit has been easy to work with and makes the administrative process easier and smoother. We enjoy working with you.