Fruit of Barren Trees (FOBT) Pipeline of Jacksonville, Florida is the 25,000th nonprofit to get their insurance coverage from NIA.

Boys & Girls Clubs want insurance that fits, from an insurer that wants to work with them, understands them, and enhances their mission.

Inaccessible websites are increasingly being targeted as violations of state and/or federal disability accommodation laws, and if your nonprofit has a website, you could be at risk.

NIA has job openings for experienced underwriters, as well as entry-level underwriting positions. Remote work and Santa Cruz office openings are available.

Later this year, NIA will need to impose an inflationary increase for most of our members of around 10%. This post provides a full explanation as to why this increase is necessary.

Risk management for nonprofits is not just about having adequate insurance; it is also about reducing the level of risk for the nonprofit, the staff, the volunteers, and the clients served by implementing effective policies and procedures. Being prepared with the tools and information you need to plan will help ensure that an unmitigated risk doesn’t derail your organization. To help you develop a risk management plan that reflects your organization’s needs, priorities, and culture, NIA-insured nonprofits can get a free subscription to My Risk Management Plan.

This year’s photo contest theme was Making a Better World, and we want to thank the more than 650 nonprofits in 36 states who participated — and generated more than 19,000 votes! You are truly making a better world!

In the latest article on Blue Avocado, Nonprofits Insurance Alliance Founder, President and CEO Pamela Davis proposes that nonprofits already possess the community-benefit approach necessary for our economic system to provide the systemic change in consciousness necessary to address climate change

Nonprofits Insurance Alliance was the first insurance company to divest itself of fossil fuel-related investments in 2016. Ultimately, the claim of being first doesn’t matter. What matters is doing the right thing now. We hope other insurers follow the example and approach climate change as the existential crisis it is.

Prepare to shield your nonprofit from a cyber event more than 2,000 times today — because that’s how often hackers attack.

Nonprofits Insurance Alliance recently awarded 6 nonprofits with $250 donations for responding to a survey.

Congress can solve nonprofits insurance access issues now. Make sure your nonprofit never faces the stress of searching for insurance again.

Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance coverage falls into two policy categories: occurrence-based and claims-made. What do these terms mean to your nonprofit? Which is best for your nonprofit? For nonprofits, occurrence-based policies are almost always a better option, because they give you more protection and fixed-costs.

Nonprofits rely on volunteers. Here’s some tools and resources your nonprofit can adopt to help you effectively and safely manage your volunteer programs.

Using photos from the internet can cause problems for your nonprofit. Safer ways to source images. What to do if you get a demand letter.

35 years ago, I wrote a thesis that changed my life and helped many nonprofits. It also has implications for the current insurance crisis.

NIA is pleased to provide insurance to organizations that work to protect the environment. Live Zero Waste is our 25,000th member.

Recent changes to state privacy laws in California raise many questions and uncertainties for nonprofits’ hiring and background check processes.

NIA CEO Pamela Davis explores how insurance companies often use social inflation myths as a means to keep coverage costs high for nonprofits.

Updates to court cases revolving around COVID-19 testing and vaccine mandates as of January 7, 2022, and steps to prepare.

Nonprofits Insurance Alliance (NIA) & Alta California Regional Center (ACRC) have something in common: Helping thousands meet their mission.

A well-qualified applicant applies for a job at a nonprofit and lands an in-person interview. The applicant explains that their service dog will accompany them. The hiring manager is left with questions: Does the manager have to agree? Does this entail …

To answer that question, let’s take an example: A social service nonprofit has a very talented manager who has been with the nonprofit for several years. The manager supervises approximately 10 staff members, most of whom have at least 3 years of exper …

If you want to overwhelm a nonprofit manager, tell them an employee has requested an accommodation for a disability, and ask them to find out the organization’s obligations. When managers face trying to navigate a confusing web of laws, a common result …

In a field study, economists Marianne Bertrand and Sendhil Mullainathan found that job applicants with white-sounding names received 50% more calls for interviews than candidates with African-American names. Forty-five percent of American workers surve …

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): “Harassment in the workplace will not stop on its own—it’s on all of us to be part of the fight to stop workplace harassment. We cannot be complacent bystanders and expect our workplace c …

In 2015, Jeanette Ortiz had been working for Chipotle for 14 years. She was general manager of a restaurant in the Fresno, California, area and was being considered for a promotion that would have increased her pay by $25,000. Ortiz’s hopes were crushe …

In any negotiated agreement, each party should be liable for the things over which they have control. Before you sign a contract, do you review it with your insurance broker? Decision-makers at nonprofit organizations can better work with insurance bro …

In 2017, in the middle of a live interview with BBC News, Professor Robert Kelly’s daughter marched stridently into the background, becoming an instant media sensation. Just four years later, the intersection of work life and home life is accepted as t …

One story of how Nonprofits Insurance Alliance (NIA) member Teen Success is helping young mothers succeed.

With the national election less than a month away, we’re already seeing pictures of long lines of early voters and reports that maintaining social distancing in polling locations due to the COVID-19 pandemic will likely increase the time it takes to vo …

As 2020 winds down, employers large and small will have to grapple with some significant changes to the state’s California Family Rights Act (CFRA). The September 17th signing of SB 1383 is a massive shift for California employers, since the CFRA has h …

I was saddened to learn of the death of William Gates, Sr., recently. He had a significant impact on Nonprofits Insurance Alliance and on me. I had the privilege of spending an hour with him about 20 years ago when he was nearly single-handedly managin …

Clear signs of the property and casualty market heading into trouble started showing in 2019. Nonprofit policyholders would be “treading water,” Insurance Journal reported. The Wall Street Journal reported in February that one nonprofit saw their renew …

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” —Margaret Mead In 1777, women lost the right to vote in New York. The right to vote was lost for women in Massachusetts …

During wildfire season, sometimes having to file a claim is beyond your control. You may be in the path of a fire someone else has already started. We’re sharing 4 ways nonprofits can stay a little safer during wildfire season. Safe Practices in Wilder …

With a 50 percent increase in rent in five years, San Luis Obispo County has had the highest rate of rental increases of any county in California. That translates into a substantial increase in the amount of upfront deposit for renters, creating an add …

I received this email last week after we posted a public statement to our website. I’m republishing it here, because I think this is an important moment in our country’s history, and issues—no matter how painful they are—need to be discussed in the ope …

A Message from NIA Senior Leadership These are difficult times for our country. During a global health emergency, when our communities are facing uncertainty about how we will fare in the days to come, a tragedy in Minneapolis has reminded us yet again …

Oak Grove Center is a nonprofit that operates a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program and nonpublic schools. A number of its students live on-grounds. When schools throughout California were closed, the nonprofit was tasked with keeping the reside …

The COVID-19 outbreak requires all of us to be flexible in how we help nonprofits manage budgets and continue to do their crucial work in our communities. As a nonprofit insurer exclusively serving 501(c)(3) organizations, we have a vested interest in …

Today we publicly announced that we are accepting applications from members for the Gilbert Fund 2020 funding cycle. We are humbled by the overwhelming response we have already received. As a nonprofit ourselves, we know that nonprofit staff are on the …

Updated on March 16, 2020. The situation around COVID-19 is evolving daily. According to our local public health department in Santa Cruz, interactions between people in large areas should be reduced to preserve health system capacity and ensure that c …

Compassion is the fuel that runs NIA. Our staff’s deep engagement in the community, volunteering, and supporting nonprofits is readily on display in the financial hub of Nonprofits Insurance Alliance and the office of Kim Aday. She is NIA’s CFO and has …

by Brian Johnson and Ren Agarwal It is a painful topic, one that has permanently scarred victims and damaged relationships defined by trust. In what seems like a never-ending stream of revelations, we are witnessing a sustained period of toxicity in ou …

One of the reasons NIA is the leading insurer of the nonprofit sector is because NIA values innovating thinking and solutions—from its teams, through its resources, and by inspiring the rest of the industry to follow suit. In this interview, Dusti McKe …

Not only does our organization look for ways to keep nonprofits insured, but over 94% of our members renew with us. Here are five reasons nonprofits like you want to stay with us year after year. We’re really a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Unlike our competito …

You have a nagging suspicion that your nonprofit might be missing something. Whether you’ve just launched a nonprofit or been running one for years, let’s talk about why you need insurance and fast! Even aside from the event of a claim filed against yo …

Following the 2018 decision in Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court, which established a three-part ABC test to determine coverage under the California Wage Orders—regulations from which many higher level and higher paid workers are exempt—A …

NIA offers so many exceptional member resources that nonprofits often call to ask us whether they are members. If you have insurance with us, you’re a member! We refer to the nonprofits we insure as “members” and they’re really a part of NIA. Since NIA …

What you need to know: Effective January 1, 2020, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) will update the salary level test for overtime exempt status in the following ways:   Raising the exempt “standard salary level” from the current level of $455 p …

The appetite of some for-profit commercial carriers change from time to time for financial reasons. We understand, the bottom line can be tough to manage if you’re not prepared to insure a class of business for the long-term. Brokers know that we are s …

Anyone working outside of the insurance industry may not necessarily think of crafting specialized coverages for nonprofit clients as art. But that’s how Michael Pramuk, who has worked at Nonprofits Insurance Alliance for 25 years, sees his role as a S …

Nonprofits need a supportive and knowledgeable insurer that understands the complex funding streams that comprise 501(c)(3) budgets. If you’ve ever called the Finance department at NIA, you might have spoken to Stephanie Larsen, who has worked with NIA …

For 30 years we’ve been a unique voice, and that includes the design of our communications materials! With welcoming colors, shapes that convey openness and availability, and photographs of our nonprofit members, NIA’s amicable brand of design doesn’t …

When NIA formed 30 years ago, we were the first multi-line nonprofit risk pool offering coverages by nonprofits, for nonprofits. NIA was an unusual cooperative for many reasons, but the most defining feature was its awareness, knowledge, and assessment …

It’s not often that information technology is featured in a story about a nonprofit insurance cooperative. But tech—how it works and what it can achieve—enhances accessibility, an asset for any nonprofit. In this interview, Fred Rodriguez and Abraham P …

When a 60-year-old nonprofit in New York City placing volunteers in schools closed its doors a few years ago, it recognized a sizeable fundraising risk it faced: its major donor, the City, was giving less and giving inconsistently. The nonprofit did ta …

When filing a claim, a member’s primary concern is Am I covered? Claims can disrupt a nonprofit’s ability to serve its community. Senior Claims Examiner Vicki Campbell provides members with the attention they need. How would you say addressing claims f …

There’s an old saying: “What you don’t know, can’t hurt you.” In the employment context, recent federal court cases have sometimes called for that phrase to become, “What you do know can hurt you”—especially if you ask the wrong questions and uncover i …

Pamela E. Davis discusses Nonprofits Insurance Alliance’s ‘member-first’ approach to claims and coverages. Nonprofits Insurance Alliance (NIA) practices a unique philosophy when it comes to addressing the claims its members file: the nonprofit insurer …

Nonprofit organizations seeking insurance will find an assortment of insurers that promise to meet obligations to nonprofits and offer innovative products, but Nonprofits Insurance Alliance (NIA) was the first to introduce coverages tailored specifical …

Proper classification of workers as employees or independent contractors has always been a major risk management consideration because of the potential for the imposition of penalties.  Since the California Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Dynamex Oper …

While many of us love adorning workspaces with heavenly flowers and heart-shaped cards that mark Valentine’s Day, executive directors and HR departments often worry about how they can safely serve alcohol at special events on this or any special occasi …

Over the last decade there have been several high profile cases alleging sexual abuse. Examples include the Bill Cosby sexual assault accusations by more than 50 women, the Sandusky/Penn State cases, the Harvey Weinstein case that accelerated the “Me T …

I have talked to quite a few brokers and nonprofits about insurance. Quite often they will get a quote from Nonprofits Insurance Alliance and call me directly to ask about it. If I am called directly by one of our members, I always ask if they’ve talke …

“In any negotiated agreement each party should be liable for the things over which they have control.” In my previous blog, I discussed four tips for how you and your insurance broker could better work together, and one of the topics discussed was revi …

It is no secret that love and romance can blossom just about anywhere, including in the workplace. A recent Vault.com survey reported by The Fiscal Times, examined employers in a variety of industries and professions and found that a significant number …

Chances are you’ve seen the movie Twister at least once before. If so, you probably remember the opening scene, where the father rushes his family into their home’s storm cellar as a tornado approaches, with just enough time to save them, but not himse …

Did you know that many 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations have no paid employees? Volunteers provide a critical link between nonprofits and their communities by bringing needed skills, connections, insights and resources to the organization. In some cas …

In an earlier blog, we explained the difference between an insurance broker and an insurance company.  As discussed in that article, the broker is someone who specializes in insurance and risk management, whose role is to help the nonprofit put togethe …

No termination should ever come as a surprise. This is a common mantra by labor, employment and human resource specialists alike, because it summarizes the topic of employment terminations so well. Preparing to terminate an employee is no simple matter …

While businesses have traditionally subcontracted certain tasks to independent contractors, the on-demand or “gig” economy has seen this practice skyrocket with the business models used by Uber, Lyft, GrubHub, TaskRabbit and many other tech companies. …

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and many state laws, afford protections for employees with disabilities to promote equal employment opportunities, both in the application process and during employment. These protections include prohibiting d …

While most of us will never experience an active shooter emergency, the number of incidents is on the rise. Given this fact, and the seriousness of these events when they happen, it’s important to be attentive to both education and prevention. Accordin …

As recently stated by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): “harassment in the workplace will not stop on its own – it’s on all of us to be part of the fight to stop workplace harassment. We cannot be complacent bystanders and expect our …

Imagine meeting with your employees for their routine annual evaluations and having to tell your once star-performer that their performance is slipping and they are no longer meeting the requirements of the job. You may have a Performance Improvement P …

We know when it comes to your nonprofit’s work, the phrase “risk management” doesn’t necessarily make you feel like jumping up and down with excitement— but it’s as crucial as any other task your organization undertakes. Good risk management helps ensu …

Historically, it has not been uncommon for risk-adverse employers to adopt policies prohibiting the hiring of applicants with a criminal history. Given that one in seven Americans has some sort of criminal history, numerous states and local jurisdictio …

In the 2016 election, California voters passed Proposition 64, which decriminalized the recreational use of marijuana and made California the 8th state where such use is legal. This change came after decades of recreational use being outlawed, and more …

This article was originally published on BlueAvocado.org as part of a special edition done in conjunction with Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN). At first glance, nonprofits and millennials seem like a match made in heaven. Despite often bei …

When most Americans think of this time of year, they imagine hot cocoa, candy canes, and reindeer. However, when most nonprofit leaders think of this time of year, their minds go to holiday events and fundraisers, the spirit of giving, and, more likely …

The holiday season is upon us and with all of the stress generally associated with this time of year, you probably haven’t given much thought to frozen pipes, roof collapses, ice dams, or any of the other property maintenance issues that can lead to wa …

We’ve all heard the narrative of the overworked nonprofit employee, who prioritizes their organization’s cause to the point of personal burnout. It’s true that burnout is common in the nonprofit sector, and during the holiday season it’s even more like …

It’s hard to ignore the plethora of revelations of sexual harassment incidents involving well-known public figures being revealed in the news recently. It’s also difficult to ignore the grassroots social movement that resulted – the #MeToo campaign, or …

The chances are that your nonprofit has a website. In the digital era, creating and maintaining a website is almost unavoidable. It explains your nonprofit’s mission and programs to current and potential supporters, solicits donations, and provides add …

Transportation provides a vital lifeline for vulnerable populations to access employment, education, healthcare, and community life. Your organization may transport disabled individuals, developmentally disabled children or medically fragile seniors, o …

Does your nonprofit have employees or volunteers that use their personal vehicles on behalf of your organization, for purposes such as running errands, performing services, or transporting clients? Many nonprofits do not realize that their organization …

Reproductive freedom and the right to privacy, for minors especially, can be murky territory, with laws differing from state-to-state. In fact, only 26 states and the District of Columbia currently allow minors aged 12 or older to receive contraceptive …

Despite the fact that there are no state or federal laws that require an employer to have and provide handbooks to their employees, it’s almost universally agreed that having and using a well-drafted, comprehensive, and easy to understand handbook serv …

Many employers require employees to sign a Confidentiality Agreement regarding certain data and information that the employee will have access to in the course and scope of their employment. There are certain types of employer data that must be maintai …

Overhead – it’s a term heard often in the nonprofit sector, and it’s one that carries with it a certain air of controversy. But for those of us who don’t know the ins and outs of it — what exactly is “overhead,” and why is it important? As a new nonpro …

A little water never hurt anyone, right? Wrong! In fact, our most common uncovered property claim is water damage as a direct result of inadequate maintenance of buildings. Whether your nonprofit owns or rents its property, water damage can be expensiv …

This content is provided courtesy of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits). Did you know that in California, only nonprofits can legally conduct raffles? With changes to raffle laws being proposed in nearly every legislative session, …

Many commercial insurance companies do not offer coverage to nonprofits because of the special risks this sector presents, such as the use of volunteers, the frequent interactions with vulnerable populations, the small size of many nonprofits, the unus …

For many nonprofits, special events and fundraisers are a huge part of what keeps operations moving forward. They raise awareness about critical issues in our communities, while simultaneously raising the funds necessary to cultivate change. Given how …

Bats are an often misunderstood animal, evoking unnecessary fear from humans, which has led to the undue persecution of the bat community for centuries. However, these misjudged creatures of the night aren’t as frightening or ominous as we portray them …

Since the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued its enforcement guidance surrounding workplace retaliation last summer, employers have been on notice to exercise caution when taking adverse action against an employee follo …

A lack of communication can be detrimental to businesses and organizations alike, as well as the working relationship between employees, as it elevates stress levels and undermines confidence. However, as one nonprofit learned, that’s not the full exte …

Citing a substantial increase in complaints of discrimination and failure to accommodate employees with mental disabilities, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has released new guidance for employees with these disabilitie …

As all employers are aware, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires all employers to verify that all employees hired after November 6, 1986 are legally entitled to work in the United States. Employees must also provide employers with su …

When it comes to claims, the use of surveillance cameras can make or break a case depending upon how, when and where they’re used. In cases where cameras are in use and are properly placed, video footage has the potential to save your nonprofit from th …

For those of us who work in or around insurance, the difference between an insurance broker and an insurance carrier is quite clear. However, for many nonprofits tasked with finding and maintaining insurance coverage, the process can seem quite dauntin …

Slips, trips and falls are one of the most common causes of incidents in and around public and private buildings of all sizes. This can be a very costly problem for any nonprofit. According to the National Safety Council, approximately 900 slip, trip a …

Summer. For most people, this word conjures up images of pool parties, backyard barbecues and general fun in the sun. For many nonprofits, it means something much more important — fundraising season. Special events and fundraisers play a critical role …

For years, many employers have automatically required drug testing of an employee involved in any work-related accident.  The fact that an accident occurred was justification for the testing, without regard to whether any suspected drug or alcohol use …

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional workplace deaths in the United States. The statistics are staggering. Every eight seconds someone is seriously injured on our roadways and someone is killed every 15 minutes. New preliminary …

Does your nonprofit need a cash-flow loan? If you’re a member in California, we can help. NIAC has a small pool of funds available to make loans of up to $50,000 to members. NIAC’s long-term goal is to prove it is financially feasible to underwrite sma …

Nonprofits have unique insurance needs, and we have nearly 30 years of experience protecting and serving them. In fact, we exclusively insure 501(c)(3) organizations. Find out more in this article written by the Insurance Journal.

While the California Labor Code requires employers to provide meal and rest breaks to their nonexempt employees, the pressing needs of the business or urgency in the delivery of services may tempt individuals to forego these breaks.  Recent decisions b …

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including: talking or texting on the phone; eating and drinking; talking to people in the vehicle; fiddling with the music, entertainment or navigation system. It is anything that …

Across the country, advocates are seeking to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Frustrated by political roadblocks to gain minimum wage increases on a federal level, the “Fight for $15” campaign and other interest groups, have met with success inc …

Many nonprofits contract with third party vendors to provide services essential to their operation as a business. These services run the gamut and typically include services such as janitorial, technological systems, building contractors, and transport …