Nonprofit Start-Up

About.com

general information about nonprofit business
http://nonprofit.about.com/careers/nonprofit

Board Source - Starting a Nonprofit

This free BoardSource E-Book is designed to provide founding board members with answers to some important questions they should ask during the beginning phases in the life of an organization.

http://www.boardsource.org/dl.asp?document_id=17

Business Owner's Toolkit

Producing approximately 700 publications in print and electronic form for accounting, legal, human resources, government and health care professionals. The site has a wonderful set of template forms any nonprofit can use in the following categories: Asset Protection, Business/Finance, Compensation & Benefits, Employee Management, Recruiting and Hiring, Termination, Worker Safety, Government Contracting Forms, IRS Tax Forms, Marketing, Vehicles & Equipment, State Tax forms.

http://www.toolkit.com/tools/index.aspx

Establishing a Nonprofit Organization

A free tutorial to show you how to establish a nonprofit organization, sponsore by The Foundation Center.
http://grantspace.org/Classroom/Online-Classes/Establishing-a-Nonprofit-Organization-Tutorial

FirstGov for Nonprofits

First gov is the US Government's official portal of agencies, laws, grants, loans resources and services for nonprofits.

http://www.usa.gov/Business/Nonprofit.shtml

Florida Division of Consumer Services

Register your organization with this department prior to soliciting charitable gifts.

http://www.800helpfla.com/

Foundation Center FAQs

a group of FAQ's on starting a nonprofit organization.

http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/faqs/section_4a.html

Foundation in a Box

A groundbreaking collaboration that offers materials from many leading foundation writers and advisors. Inside the Resource Library, subscribers can find hundreds of articles, questions & answers, worksheets, and more.

http://www.smallfoundations.org/site/pp.asp?c=fvKRI7MPJqF&b=3090361

Free Info For Nonprofits That Lost Tax Exempt Status

New! This site includes free information for nonprofits that lost their tax exempt status through IRS "Automatic Revocation", including how to tell if your organization qualifies for IRS "Transitional Relief".
http://www.501cFreeBook.com

Free Management Library

This topic in the Library provides comprehensive advice and materials for anyone who is considering starting a nonprofit organization. The reader can use the free information in this Library topic, along with other Library topics that are referenced later on below.

http://www.managementhelp.org/strt_org/strt_org.htm

Free Management Library (sm)

Complete, highly integrated library for nonprofits and for-profits with index of 675 topics.
http://www.managementhelp.org/

From Vision to Reality - A Guide to Successfully Launch a Nonprofit Organization - by the Community Resource Exchange:

Through worksheets, model documents and plain spoken explanations, this 250-page handbook will guide you on how to design an effective program, create a budget, raise money, form a board of directors, hire staff and take all the steps you need to launch a successful nonprofit. Email Nevita Bailey to purchase a copy. Price: $30 plus shipping.

http://www.crenyc.org/

Get Ready Get Set: A Guide to Starting a Nonprofit

This very thorough, free guide from the California Management Assistance Partnership (PDF 34 pages) will help you explore necessary preliminary questions such as “is there an unmet need in the community?” and “will the organization attract sufficient resources to make the project viable?”

http://www.cnmsocal.org/images/downloads/startinganonprofit_getreadygetset.pdf

Help Filling Out Your 501(c)3 Application

This site is designed to help new non-profit organizations complete IRS Form 1023, the Application for Exempt Status Under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Over 50 pages of useful information such as an overview of advantages and disadvantages of exempt status, IRS fill-in forms, page-by-page guide to Form 1023, and what to expect in the processing of your application. Content was written by Sandy Deja (Exemption Advisory Services), a specialist in non-profit tax issues since 1974 (and former IRS Exempt Organizations Specialist) who has reviewed thousands of applications for the IRS and trained other IRS agents in Exempt Organizations tax law.

http://www.form1023help.com/

Hiring a Nonprofit Director Step-by-Step Guide

A Step-By-Step Guide to Hire a Director for a Nonprofit Agency written by Kurt J. Jenne and Margaret Henderson

Hiring a Nonprofit Director Step-by-Step Guide

 

How Can You Tell If Your Organization is Ready to Apply for a Grant?

by Karen Eber Davis, Karen Eber Davis Consulting
http://www.kedconsult.com/articles-resources/ready-to-apply-for-a-grant/

How to Develop a Great Mission Statement

by Karen Eber Davis, Karen Eber Davis Consulting
http://www.kedconsult.com/articles-resources/great-mission-statement/

How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation

by Anthony Mancusa, Esq.
How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation

How to Write an Effective Business Plan

by Value Stock Guide
http://valuestockguide.com/investment-advice-how-to-write-an-effective-business-plan/

In Spanish - How To Start a Nonprofit

http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/establish_sp/index.html

Innovation Network, Inc.

provides one-on-one consulting and coaching, group training and workshops on the web. Includes an online participatory evaluation to effectively self-assess operations, measure impact on the community served and improve efforts.

http://www.innonet.org/

Internal Revenue Service

information on Types of Tax-Exempt Organizations as well as... Exemption Requirements : A brief description of the requirements for exemption under IRC Section 501c(3). Application for Recognition of Exemption : Procedures for applying for exemption under IRC Section 501c(3). Filing Requirements : A brief description of the annual filing requirements for tax-exempt organizations. Private Foundations : A brief explanation of the rules for classifying charitable organizations as private foundations, and the effect of private foundation status. Unrelated Business Income Tax : A general description of the unrelated business income tax requirements for tax-exempt organizations. Contributions : A general description of the disclosure and substantiation requirements for contributions to charitable organizations.

http://www.irs.gov/charities/content/0,,id=96931,00.html

IRS Forms & Publications

http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.htm/

IRS Sample Conflict of Interest Policy

IRS Sample Conflict of Interest Policy

 

Legal Counsel for Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector:

View a Nonprofit Law Resource Libarary at this new website launched by Hurwit & Associates. Issues covered: nonprofit start-up, state filings and compliance, governance, bylaws, boards, liability and risk, mergers and affiliations, tax exemption, lobbying and much more.

http://www.hurwitassociates.com/

Living Your Mission: What's Behind 17 Words

by Keith Timko, Leader to Leader Institute

Living Your Mission

Look Before You Leap

Before going through the process of starting a new charity you are strongly encourage you to read the first two FAQs. From the Delaware Assocaition of Nonprofit Agencies.

http://www.delawarenonprofit.org/infocentral/startup.php

Managing a Nonprofit Organization in the 21st Century

by Thomas Wolf
Managing a Nonprofit Organization in the Twenty-First Century

Map of Nonprofit Startup Resources by State

Collection of resources on nonprofit startup information from organizations across the country. Includes state associations, legal support organizations, and government agencies that provide information on forming a nonprofit in all fifty sates and U.S. territories.
http://foundationcenter.org/gainknowledge/map/start-up-map.html

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

Features pages designed to guide you through the process of starting a nonprofit organization.

http://www.mncn.org/info_start.htm

National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO)

The National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO) is an association of state offices charged with oversight of charitable organizations and charitable solicitation in the United States. The requirements and procedures for forming charitable organizations differ from state to state, as do the registration and filing requirements for organizations that conduct charitable activities or solicit charitable contributions.
http://www.nasconet.org

National Council of Nonprofit Associations

A network of state and regional nonprofit associations.
http://www.ncna.org/

Nonprofit Expert

Books, useful resource links, IRS forms and state forms for starting a nonprofit.

http://www.nonprofitexpert.com/starting_a_nonprofit.htm

Nonprofit Governance: Law, Practices & Trends

by Bruce R. Hopkins
Nonprofit Governance: Law, Practices, and Trends

Nonprofit National Resource Directory

This is a one-stop-shop for nonprofits looking for the resources you need to succeed. Here you will find a free directory of those who specialize in assisting the nonprofit sector to fulfill your mission. Please take a moment to check the listings to find the resources you need to succeed. There are 140+ consultants, coaches, vendors and specialists listed here who are dedicated to helping the nonprofit sector survive and thrive.
http://www.nonprofitnationalresourcedirectory.com

Nonprofit Start-up Assistance: Form 1023 Help

http://form1023help.com

Nonprofit Startup Checklist

Adapted from a number of sources as a general guide to the establishment of a nonprofit organization in Florida.

Nonprofit Startup Checklist

Nonprofit Startup Guide

from the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthrophy and Nonprofit Leadership at Grand Valley State University
http://www.gvsu.edu/forms/jcp/pdf/npstartup.pdf

Organizations Which Rate Nonprofits on Fundraising Efficiency

Organizations Which Rate Nonprofits on Fundraising Efficiency

 

Planning in Organizations

A compendium of resources assembled by Carter McNamara, Ph.D. Simply put, planning is identifying where you want to go, why you want to go there, how you will get there, what you need in order to get there and how you will know if you're there or not. Includes links to many types of planning, from advertising and promotion to training and development planning.

http://www.managementhelp.org/plan_dec/plan_dec.htm

Sample Board Chair Job Descriptions

Sample Board Chair Job Descriptions

 

Sample ByLaw Provision Setting Forth Fundamental Director Duties

Sample ByLaw Provision Setting Forth Fundamental Director Duties

 

Sample Emergency ByLaw Provisions

Sample Emergency ByLaw Provisions

 

Sample Form 990 - Parts III and VI

Sample Form 990 - Parts III and VI

 

Sample Mission Statements

Sample Mission Statements

 

Simple Nonprofit.Com

Created by Scott Michael Ringo, this site is an information and assistance resource for those interested in starting a nonprofit, funding, and running a successful nonprofit organization.
http://simplenonprofit.com

Sources of Information on Governance Standards and Practices

Sources of Information on Governance Standards and Practices

 

Starting a Nonprofit Organization

A comprehensive guide from Carter McNamara, MBA, Ph.D., for MAP for Nonprofits.
http://www.managementhelp.org/strt_org/strt_np/strt_np.htm

Starting an NGO (Non-Government Organization)

Starting a non-governmental organization or a non-profit organization (NGO/NPO) can be a lengthy, time consuming process. However, the difficulties of the process can be minimized by following a consistent series of steps and seeking advice when needed. From the The Global Development Reserach Center.

http://www.gdrc.org/ngo/start-ngo/index.html

Starting and Building a Nonprofit, A Practical Guide

by Peri Pakroo
Starting & Building a Nonprofit: A Practical Guide

Starting and Running a Nonprofit Organization

by Joan M. Hummel
Starting and Running a Nonprofit Organization

Summary of Human Resources and Employment Related Laws

Summary of Human Resources and Employment Related Laws

 

TechSoup

A nonprofit technology organization in San Francisco that has a searchable database of recycling centers, as well as other environment-related technology information.

http://www.techsoup.org/

The Foundation Center

Information on characteristics that define an effective nonprofit organization and must be considered when forming a new nonprofit: Board Development, Bylaws, Tax Exemption, Staff Recruitment, Fundraising Learning Lab.

http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/learnabout/npomanagement.html

The Nonprofit Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Nonprofit Organization

by Gary M. Grobman
The Nonprofit Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Start and Run Your Nonprofit Organization

The Things You Gotta' Do to Start a Nonprofit Organization 35 Tips:

The Checklist Project of The Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York (NPCC), 1350 Broadway, Suite 1801, New York, NY 10018, phone 212/502-4191, fax 212/502-4189, www.npccny.org. Many people who think about starting a nonprofit are unaware that they will be starting a small business with all the needs that a successful business entails. While the primary purpose to be accomplished by a nonprofit is its mission -- whether it is feeding the disabled or putting on theater performances -- anyone who forms a nonprofit will soon realize that they are also running a business and in order to achieve their mission they must run their business well. These needs range from the concrete -- setting up financial systems, payroll and opening a bank account; hiring staff and preparing a personnel manual; buying the right kinds of insurance -- to the conceptual -- organizational structure, mission statements, long-range planning, evaluation, etc.

http://www.npccny.org/checklist.htm

Writing a Case for Support that Inspires!

Written by Sumac Research. The Case for Support is the statement of your cause explaining what you do, why it's important and, why people should support you.
http://sumac.com/writing-a-case-for-support