Nonprofit Start-up

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?”

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.

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.

Florida Division of Consumer Services : Register your organization with this department prior to soliciting charitable gifts.

IRS Forms and Publications : Download Forms and Publications.

US Department of Health and Human Services :
Online Resources for Faith-Based and Community Organizations, including Government Funding Resources,
Information about Foundations & Corporations, Prospect Research, Grant Proposals, Nonprofit Management and Volunteerism.

Nonprofit Startup Checklist: Download this brochure that was adapted from a number of sources as a general guide to the establishment of a nonprofit organization in  Florida.

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.

Starting a Nonprofit Organization. A comprehensive guide from Carter McNamara, MBA, Ph.D., for MAP for Nonprofits.

Nonprofit Incorporating - The Business Plan : A guide for those thinking of (or determined to go ahead with) nonprofit incorporation, from Donald A. Griesmann, Esq. Everyone contemplating a new nonprofit should read this document.

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.

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.

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits : Features pages designed to guide you through the process of starting a nonprofit organization.

About.com - general information about nonprofit business.

A Pocket Guide to Business Planning is available from Brody Weiser Burns, Inc. as a downloadable PDF file. A good format for startup nonprofits to follow in thinking through (and documenting) their plan for establishing a sustainable organization.

Foundation Center: This tutorial reviews 12 tasks that need to be accomplished during the process of starting a section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Issues include board development, creating bylaws, filing for federal tax exemption, recruiting staff, and developing an overall fundraising plan.

BoardSource - 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.

The New Nonprofit Nexus assists, supports and strengthens the development of new and emerging nonprofits, especially those founded by people of color. We seek to empower such nonprofits to operate in appropriate, effective and healthy ways.

Foundation Center - FAQ's: a group of FAQ's on starting a nonprofit organization.

Directory of resources for assisting in forming a nonprofit including sample bylaws.

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.

Nonprofit Start Up Guide from the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthrophy and Nonprofit Leadership at Grand Valley State University.

Creating Effection Mission and Vision Statements: This book will guide your organization through a six-step process that results in a mission statement, vision statement, or both. The author explains how clarified mission and vision lead to more effective leadership, decisions, fundraising, and management. Tips are given on using the process alone or in conjunction with an in-depth strategic planning process. Includes sample mission and vision statements, step-by-step instructions, and worksheets.

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.

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.

Nonprofit Agenda - A Blueprint for Action: National Policy Recommendations from the Nonprofit Sector.

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.

Starting an NGO: 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.

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.

Tools For Assessing Startup Nonprofits: This due diligence supplement for grantmakers — it is designed for use by funders assessing a grant application from a startup nonprofit. It includes suggested interview questions and worksheets to supplement funders’ regular due diligence of startup organizations. A useful tool for start-up groups in the early stages of organizational development.

Help Filling Out Your 501(c)3 Application: Posted as a public service by Sandy Deja, a tax consultant with over 30 years' experience with IRS Form 1023. It is designed to help new non-profit organizations complete the Application for Exempt Status Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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

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

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.

National Council of Nonprofit Associations (NCNA): A network of 39 state associations of nonprofits representing over 22,000 nonprofits in 35 states and the District of Columbia. The broad work of state associations strengthens local nonprofit communities by keeping them connected to national networks and the latest resources in the field. Its vision and that of its state and regional associations is that the nonprofit sector retains a vibrant and strong voice at the national and state level that speaks to its issues and those of its constituencies.

The Nonprofit Good Practice Guide is a one-stop shop for widely-accepted and innovative nonprofit practices offering Preferred Practices and Pitfalls, Glossaries, Resources, Trends and Web site Profiles within ten topic areas. Npgoodpractice.org offers answers to virtually any question about managing nonprofits and foundations, leading staff to sources that contain an abundance of information. Catagories include: accountability, evaluation, advocacy, communications, marketing, grantmaking, fundaising, governance, management, leadership, staff development, capacity, technology, volunteer management. Has a database of selected capacity resources in these areas.