Nonprofit Special Event Revenue Compliance and Reporting

Special event revenue compliance is frequently misunderstood by nonprofits. This annual review ensures all events above the Form 990 Schedule G threshold are properly reported and all tax disclosures and permits are in place.

  • Industry: Nonprofit
  • Frequency: Annually
  • Estimated Time: 3 hours
  • Role: Development Director / Finance Manager
  • Total Items: 27

Schedule G Reporting Thresholds

Identify events requiring Schedule G reporting.

  • All events with gross receipts over $5,000 identified for Schedule G reporting?
  • Gross receipts for each event tracked separately from contributions?
  • Direct expenses for each event tracked separately?
  • Two highest grossing events identified for Schedule G line 1 detail?
  • Schedule G prepared and reviewed before Form 990 filing?

Contribution vs Purchase Allocation

Allocate event revenue correctly.

  • Contribution portion (ticket price minus FMV of benefits) correctly identified?
  • Fair market value of all event benefits (dinner, entertainment) documented?
  • Written quid pro quo disclosure provided to all event ticket purchasers?
  • Events where total payment does not exceed $75 threshold identified and handled correctly?
  • Corporate sponsorships properly distinguished from ticket purchases in records?

Gaming and Raffle Compliance

Verify gaming compliance.

  • State raffle or lottery permits obtained for all raffle events?
  • Gaming licenses obtained for any bingo, casino night, or other gaming activities?
  • Raffle and gaming winners provided with appropriate tax documentation?
  • UBIT applicability of gaming revenue assessed?

State Event Registrations

Verify state event registrations.

  • Charitable solicitation registration current in all states where event solicits donors?
  • Event-specific permits (venue, road, public gathering) obtained?
  • Alcohol service permits obtained if serving alcohol at events?
  • Professional solicitor or event company contracts disclosed in state filings if required?

Event Expense Management

Manage event expenses properly.

  • Event costs allocated between direct expenses and fundraising overhead?
  • In-kind donated goods and services for events valued and documented?
  • Vendor contracts for events reviewed for legal compliance?
  • Net income for each event calculated and compared to projections?

Event Documentation

Maintain event documentation.

  • Complete event files with budget, permits, contracts, and financial results?
  • Attendee and donor lists maintained for acknowledgment purposes?
  • Post-event financial reconciliation completed for all events?
  • Event lessons learned documented for future planning?
  • All event data compiled and ready for Form 990 Schedule G preparation?

Related Nonprofit Checklists

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Why Use This Nonprofit Special Event Revenue Compliance and Reporting?

This nonprofit special event revenue compliance and reporting helps nonprofit teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for development director / finance manager professionals, this checklist covers 27 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: annually.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Nonprofit Special Event Revenue Compliance and Reporting cover?

This checklist covers 27 inspection items across 6 sections: Schedule G Reporting Thresholds, Contribution vs Purchase Allocation, Gaming and Raffle Compliance, State Event Registrations, Event Expense Management, Event Documentation. It is designed for nonprofit operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed annually. Each completion takes approximately 3 hours.

Who should use this Nonprofit Special Event Revenue Compliance and Reporting?

This checklist is designed for Development Director / Finance Manager professionals in the nonprofit industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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