Resource Information | The Center for Nonprofit Excellence

Websites with information on starting a nonprofit organization.

Some of this information was taken from Peter Brinckerhoff’s newsletter – see www.missionbased.com for more information and to sign up for the newsletter and get more information for start-up organizations.

www.state.oh.us Click on Government, then Executive Branch, then under Elected Officials click on Secretary of State, then click on Start a Business, then on the left-hand menu click on “Publications, Pamphlets and Guides”, then the “Legal Guide to Nonprofit Organizations” pamphlet - it can be downloaded from the site. (You need Adobe to download that file (.pdf version) – you can go to http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html) and follow the steps at the bottom of the page to download the free Adobe software that will then allow you to access the Guide.)
www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p557.pdf This is the information on filing for tax-exempt status through the IRS. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/k1023.pdf This is the 501(c)(3) form site.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html The IRS site to learn more about Employer Identification Numbers (EIN) and how to obtain one.
http://nonprofit.about.com/?once=true&PM=ss11_nonprofit Robert DeMartinis’ collection of information for start-ups.
http://www.nonprofit-info.org/npofaq/02/ How to Start a Nonprofit Organization - written by Putnam Barber with many additional links to information helpful to startup organizations.
www.allianceonline.org The Alliance for Nonprofit Management – a variety of resources and links for nonprofit organizations.
www.aristotle.net/~nonprofit/startup/startup.html Nonprofit Resources, Arkansas. Simple but effective start-up list. www.boardsource.org BoardSource focuses on information for boards of directors and staff working with boards; for both new and experienced boards and staff. http://www.cnm.org/content.aspx?page=NPStartup Center for Nonprofit Management, Nashville, TN. Start-up checklist included.
www.compasspoint.org CompassPoint is one of the oldest and largest management support organizations for nonprofit organizations in the country. They also provide the “Nonprofit Genie” which has links to many articles and resources for nonprofit organizations.
www.mapnp.org/library/strt_org/strt_np/strt_np.htm Free Management Library.
www.nonprofit.gov US Government site – scroll to Registration & Licensing – links to states as well as the federal information and forms. www.nonprofitbasics.org The Nonprofit Good Practice Guide, published through of Grand Valley State University. The site contains extensive information in an easy to use system for nonprofits at any stage of development.
http://www.nonprofitresourcectr.org/nr_startup.htm Nonprofit Resource Center of Sacramento, CA. Good resources for start-ups.
http://www.nolo.com/lawcenter/ency/article.cfm/objectID/EA3D3043-9A88-43F5-8DC869639F0F6E77 NOLO – site for legal information; article on How to form a Nonprofit Corporation and links to related articles. www.uwex.edu/li/learner/sites_start.htm The Nonprofit Management Education Center, University of Wisconsin.
Hurwit & Associates A legal firm specializing in assistance for the nonprofit sector.
http://www.muridae.com/nporegulation/ Online Compendium of Federal and State Regulations for U.S. Nonprofit Organizations - a centralized resource with information about the laws and regulations controlling nonprofits in the U.S.
www.fdncenter.org/learn/faqs/html/starting_nonprofit.html The Foundation Center – Learning Lab – information on starting a nonprofit; this site also has extensive information on foundations/grants, etc.
http://www.ctnonprofits.org/pages/NonProfitResources/StartNonProfit.asp Connecticut Association of Nonprofit Organizations (including Connecticut Nonprofit Information Network). http://nonprofit.about.com/library/weekly/aa120402.htm?once=true& About.com, a for-profit web site with information on many topics.
http://www.nonprofits.org/npofaq/16/47.html Information on the disclosure laws that affect nonprofit organizations from the Internet Nonprofit Center.

For information specifically on technology for startup organizations, click on the link below.

Technology Websites for Start-ups