In Silicon Valley, high venue costs often exceed $30,000, creating significant financial burdens for nonprofits. Additionally, frequent event invitations lead to donor fatigue, reducing gala attendance by 20%, and a 35% volunteer shortage critically affects the execution and staffing of these events.

• High Venue Costs: High venue costs in Silicon Valley, often exceeding $30,000 due to demand, pose financial challenges for smaller nonprofits hosting galas.

• Donor Fatigue: Silicon Valley donors frequently experience donor fatigue due to many charity event invitations, leading to a 20% decrease in repeat attendance and reduced donation rates at galas.
• Volunteer Shortage: Silicon Valley faces a volunteer shortage, with a 35% gap in the needed volunteer base for events. This affects the execution and staffing of large-scale fundraising galas.

Anne Davis East, with over 30 years in nonprofit management, is the CEO of Davis East Consulting. She specializes in nonprofit compliance, board development, ethics training, and strategic planning. She’s active on several boards, focusing on community development and assisting underserved youth. Her affiliations include notable organizations like the National Association of Business Women and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Anne earned a BS from William Woods University and an MS in Elementary Education from Lesley University.

• Auction Considerations: Anne Davis East highlights the need to issue a 1099 form to auction winners at fundraising galas, as these winnings are considered income for tax purposes.
• Raffle Regulations: Anne discusses the importance of obtaining a permit for raffle events from the attorney general and suggests securing a year-long permit for monthly raffles to ensure compliance and cost-effectiveness.
• Online Raffle Ticket Sales: In some states, including California, selling raffle tickets online is prohibited. Anne stresses the need for transparency and careful management of raffle tickets to avoid legal issues.
• Fair Market Value of Raffle Items: Organizations must determine the fair market value of raffle items, except for gift certificates, which are valued at the amount stated on them.
• The Risks of 50-50 Raffles: Anne explains that 50-50 raffles are only legally permissible for professional sports teams in California, and engaging in such raffles can lead to significant legal consequences.
• Alcohol Management at Galas: Handling alcohol at events requires careful consideration, including ensuring that volunteers serving alcohol are properly trained and certified. Anne discusses the implications of alcohol service and the importance of managing consumption responsibly.
• Training for Alcohol Servers: Volunteers serving alcohol must be certified, and Anne mentions that training can be done online for a fee, and certification lasts several years.
• Event Revenue Streams: Anne advises on collaborating with wineries or breweries for events, using a ticket system to track sales, and effectively managing financial transactions.

In Silicon Valley, Donor-Advised Funds soared to $78.6 billion, highlighting a trend toward delayed philanthropy. Nonprofits face significant fraud risks, prompting adopting protective measures like Positive Pay. Guidestar exemplifies financial health through revenue diversification, covering 90% of its costs via service fees, suggesting a sustainable model for nonprofits.

• Growth of Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs): Silicon Valley’s DAFs grew from $33.6 billion to $78.6 billion, showcasing a shift towards “parked” philanthropy, in which donors control when their gifts are distributed to nonprofits.

• Check and ACH Fraud Threats: Nonprofits facing $18 billion in U.S. check fraud losses must use advanced security, like Positive Pay, to reduce risk.
• Revenue Stream Development: Guidance for nonprofits to diversify income and earn revenue, as GuideStar did by funding 90% of its operations from fees, showcases a solid strategy for financial health.

Anne Davis East, with over 30 years in nonprofit management, is the CEO of Davis East Consulting. She specializes in nonprofit compliance, board development, ethics training, and strategic planning. She’s active on several boards, focusing on community development and assisting underserved youth. Her affiliations include notable organizations like the National Association of Business Women and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Anne earned a BS from William Woods University and an MS in Elementary Education from Lesley University.

• Introduction to Davis East Consulting—Learn about Davis East Consulting’s origins and what motivated Anne to focus on helping nonprofits regain their tax-exempt status.
• The Impact of the Patriots Act on Nonprofits – Anne discusses how post-9/11 legislation affected thousands of nonprofits, leading to the loss of their tax-exempt status and how her consultancy responded.
• Challenges of Nonprofit Management in Silicon Valley – Explore the unique management challenges that nonprofits face in the Silicon Valley area, including compliance with evolving regulations.
• Common Compliance Issues – Anne highlights the most frequent noncompliance issues encountered by nonprofits, particularly the implications of not being properly registered.
• Strategic Nonprofit Management – Learn about Anne’s strategic approach to managing nonprofits, from compliance checks to registration renewals and adjusting organizational processes.
• Changes in Nonprofit Compliance – Discussion on how state and federal legislative changes affect nonprofit operations, particularly in California.
• The Role of Professional Fundraisers – Understanding the critical role and legal considerations of professional fundraisers in nonprofit organizations.
• Board Development and Management – Anne stresses the importance of board development and its critical financial role in nonprofit management.
• Ethics and Compliance Training – The significance of ongoing ethics and compliance training for nonprofit boards and staff to avoid financial mismanagement.
• Technology and Nonprofit Management – Insight into the role of technology in modern nonprofit management, including social media policies and the importance of keeping up-to-date with digital trends.

In Silicon Valley, adults with disabilities face challenges, including lower educational attainment (16.4% hold a bachelor's degree or higher compared to 34.6% of non-disabled individuals), leading to a stark employment gap (17.9% vs. 61.8%), magnified by the competitive tech market. Additionally, less than 1% of housing units are wheelchair accessible.

• Educational Opportunities: Lower educational attainment among adults with disabilities, with only 16.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to 34.6% for those without disabilities.
• Employment Gap: The employment rate for individuals with disabilities is significantly lower (17.9%) than for those without (61.8%), exacerbated by Silicon Valley's competitive tech market.
• Limited Accessible Housing: Less than 1% of Silicon Valley housing units are wheelchair accessible, impacting adults with mobility disabilities.

DeAnna Pursai is a special education teacher and the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the College of Adaptive Arts. She has also been named an “Architect of Change” by Maria Shriver and co-awarded the Delta Kappa Gamma State Distinguished Career/Professional Service Award with CAA Co-Founder and Dean of Instruction Dr. Pamela Lindsay. Deanna grew up with her sister Angel, who has Down Syndrome. This experience taught her how important it is for everyone to have the same chances and to be included.

• Inspiration Behind College of Adaptive Arts (CAA): DeAnna Pursai shares the story of her sister Angel, who could not access college education due to her disabilities, inspiring the creation of CAA – a lifelong learning community for adults of all abilities.
• Unique Approach to Education: Unlike traditional educational institutions, CAA does not require its students to read, write, or take tests, making education accessible to adults historically marginalized from higher education.
• Innovative Startup Culture: Situated in Silicon Valley, CAA is described as a startup disrupting the traditional education model for adults with special needs, with hopes of expanding globally.
• Angel’s Perspective: Angel expresses pride and admiration for her sister's initiative, highlighting the personal impact and broader recognition she has gained through CAA.
• Curriculum and Programs: The podcast delves into the origins and evolution of CAA’s curriculum, which started with arts and has expanded to include a wide range of subjects, catering to the diverse interests of its students.
• Community and Partnerships: The importance of community support and partnerships is emphasized, highlighting collaborations with local businesses, arts organizations, and educational institutions that have been instrumental in CAA’s growth.
• Impact on Students and Community: The remarkable growth from 12 to over 229 students across 10 states and internationally underscores CAA's significant impact on filling an educational gap for adults with disabilities.
• Scaling and Measuring Success: The challenges of scaling CAA’s impact are discussed, along with the strategies for measuring success, including student enrollment, engagement, and development of workforce skills.
• Vision for the Future: The future of adaptive education is envisioned as a global initiative, with CAA planning to replicate its model to serve more adults with disabilities around the world.
• How to Support CAA: The podcast concludes with ways the community can support CAA, including attending events, engaging with social media, and contributing to fundraising efforts to sustain and expand its programs.