Nonprofits and the New Year
As we begin the new year, take a step back to reflect on all the good that your nonprofit accomplished in 2025 and begin to prepare for another year of growth. In this post we look at tasks that wrap up the year and lay the foundation for what’s coming up, (Winterizing the Garden) as well as planning for what you want the next year to be like (Planning the Growing Season). Note that many of these tasks align with the end of the organization’s fiscal year, so if your organization has a fiscal year that is different from the calendar year, adjust the timing of these tasks as appropriate. Winterizing the Garden: Year-End Stability and Risk Reduction Financial tasks Work with your bookkeeper to close the books for the previous year Start preparing for the 990. Depending on the version of the 990 your organization does, you may have to provide details on In-kind donations Donor information Merchandise inventory Grant awards Send W-2s to employees and 1099s to contractors by January 31st Donor Stewardship Send year-end donor receipts by January 31st If donors receive receipts upon donating, you don’t need to send additional or duplicative receipts If donors don’t
