Yes, you can pay yourself a salary from your 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provided the compensation is reasonable and for services actually rendered to the organization. The IRS allows nonprofits to pay staff, including founders, for their work, but the salary must align with market rates for similar positions in comparable organizations.
💡Can I pay myself in a nonprofit organization? Absolutely. Fair work deserves fair compensation. You will just have to be sure that what you are being paid is considered "reasonable compensation" by IRS standards to avoid penalty.
Nonprofit visionaries who aspire to dedicate themselves full-time to their cause may ask themselves, “How much can I pay myself?” The law provides little guidance, only requiring that compensation be reasonable.
Yes, founders, board members, and nonprofit employees can earn a salary. But the IRS has strict rules on how much you can be paid, how the salary must be approved, and how to avoid private inurement or loss of tax-exempt status.
It is not legal. The funds must be for the charity's benefit to meet their goals - but it costs money to run a charity so there are administrative costs and maybe salaries to pay, electricity bills and so on. But NOT ever for personal gain.
Grants to individuals are considered charitable and in line with 501c3 status as long as the organization can demonstrate that the recipient of funds is in line with the charity's exempt purpose.
The "33 rule" for nonprofits usually refers to the IRS Public Support Test, requiring 501(c)(3) public charities to show they receive at least one-third (33 1/3%) of their support from the general public or other public charities over a five-year rolling period, distinguishing them from private foundations by ensuring broad community reliance. This is crucial for maintaining public charity status, involves reporting on Form 990 Schedule A, and can be passed through meeting the 10% "facts and circumstances" test if the main test is missed.
What should a nonprofit pay its chief executive? The board of directors is responsible for hiring and establishing compensation (salary and benefits) for the executive director/CEO that is “reasonable and not excessive,” but is also enough to attract and retain the best possible talent to lead the organization.
The 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) for nonprofits suggests that roughly 80% of results come from 20% of causes, most commonly meaning 20% of donors provide 80% of donations, but it also applies to programs, volunteers, and marketing efforts, guiding organizations to focus resources on high-impact areas like major donors or effective programs for greater efficiency and fundraising success. It emphasizes donor stewardship, program evaluation, and targeted communications to maximize impact, though some argue for diversifying away from over-reliance on a small donor base.
Although the exact amount varies from organization to organization, nonprofits are often advised to keep between 3 and 6 months of operating funds on hand as cash reserves, if possible. Funds that will be used in the longer-term are sometimes invested in less liquid, often higher-risk instruments.
In most cases you would keep your salary lower and pay yourself dividends as it is more tax efficient. It is important to note that dividends can only be paid if a company has made a profit, so past losses could mean the only way to take more money out of the business is via salary not dividends.
Yes, it's possible to make a living running a nonprofit organization that you started from the ground up—but keep in mind these important considerations before taking the leap.
Initial and Ongoing Costs
Creating a nonprofit organization takes time, effort, and money. Fees are required to apply for incorporation and tax exemption with state and federal entities, as well as maintaining such status through annual renewals.
These expenses typically fall into three main categories:
What are the most common mistakes nonprofits make? Some of the most common mistakes include unclear missions, weak board engagement, poor donor communication, lack of financial transparency, and neglecting compliance requirements. Many of these issues are fixable with the right tools and support.
But, in general, it needs to be able to cover your operations during a shortfall, cover any spending needed for growth, and cover any investments you want your nonprofit to engage in. A good rule of thumb is to have reserves that can cover at least 3-6 months of operating expenses.
These nonprofits may be considered public charities, private foundations, or private operating foundations, which we'll explain in more detail later.
➢ 80/20 Fund-Raising Rule
For funds raised from the public for foreign charitable purposes, the applicant has to apply at least 80% of the net proceeds of the funds raised within Singapore. The 80/20 rule will be waived for private fund-raising appeals or for appeals in aid of providing immediate disaster relief.
The IRS generally requires a minimum of three board members for every nonprofit, but does not dictate board term length. What is important to remember is that board service terms aren't intended to be perpetual, and are typically one to five years. Service terms must be outlined in the nonprofit bylaws.