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Top 3 Things To Think About Before You Quit That Crappy Job

I don’t know if it is the change of seasons or the time in my life, but I have been getting a lot of inquiries from people who are unsatisfied with their current job.

I am never one to argue that you should stay somewhere you are unhappy, BUT before you walk away from a regular paycheck you should take some time to assess where you currently stand.

You can start by asking these 3 questions:

1)   Do you have an employment contract? – If so, this may explain the terms of how you may permissibly leave and what you might be entitled to if your boss decides to let you go.  If you don’t have a contract, what you are entitled to is more fluid, but you can still leave with something if you negotiate properly.

2)   Does your employer want you out? – If the unhappiness works both ways, it is usually in the employee’s best interest to get laid off (as opposed to quitting).  Getting laid off can often entitle a person to unemployment benefits or severance.  There are often ways to negotiate an exit if both parties are unhappy.

3)   Can you navigate leaving on good (or at least neutral) terms?  A bad employment reference can be a problem in this economy and if you can stay on neutral terms with your employer you will be in a better position to be hired for your next, even better job.

Answering these questions is a great way to start thinking about how to exit an unsatisfying work environment and start to protect your own interests.  Once you determine where you stand you will be in a better place to assess your options, negotiate carefully and exit gracefully.

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Why you should learn about Fiscal Sponsorship Before Starting a Not-for-Profit

People who are inspired to start a not-for-profit are usually hoping to change the world, or at least an aspect of it, for the better. You see a problem and you think you have a solution for that problem. The next step most people think of, after doing some research and testing to determine if your solution helps to alleviate the problem, is to start an organization so you can formally begin to address the problem. In many cases, a not-for-profit is the organization type that makes the most sense.

While you can be recognized in New York State as a not-for-profit by filing some basic incorporation papers, this recognition does not allow you to accept tax deductible donations. To receive tax deductible donations the organization must obtain 501(c)3 status from the federal government. This process can often be lengthy and more difficult.

If your organization is hoping to move more quickly, you should consider finding a fiscal sponsor. A fiscal sponsor is usually an organization that already has 501(c)3 status. Once your organization hooks up with a fiscal sponsor, the new organization can borrow the sponsor’s tax exempt status. The fiscal sponsor typically charges for this arrangement (often taking between 6% and 10% off the top of any donation). For the arrangement to be legitimate, the sponsor must obtain complete control over the funds that come in to the new not-for-profit and the fiscal sponsor’s mission must be similar to the new organization’s mission. In addition to helping with funds, a fiscal sponsor can provide much needed resources, knowledge, and experience to a new not-for-profit. Starting a not-for-profit presents many unique challenges and knowing people who have succeeded before can only help your organization grow.