How to Start a Nonprofit Organization

• 5-step process of starting a nonprofit. 1) Examine the myths one could hold about nonprofit ventures 2) Weigh other options 3) State filings 4) Federal filings 5) The "heavy lifting": designing the structure of your future organization.
  
  Source: National Council of Nonprofits   |  Published: 2009

How to Form a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation

• Very easy-to-understand, concise guide to forming a 501(c)(3). Includes choosing a business name, bylaws, articles of incorporation, state and federal exemption documents, and several other key areas. The article is brief, from Nolo.com.
  
  Source: Nolo.com   |  Published: 2009

Form 990 News and Background

• A mini archive page, with 5-6 short articles explaining IRS Form 990 in all of its glory. Includes background info and recent revisions. From the National Council of Nonprofits.
  
  Source: National Council of Nonprofits   |  Published: 2009

How to Obtain 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status for Your Nonprofit

• An excellent guide to help in the filing of Form 1023, the application for federal nonprofit status. Goes through the process, providing useful tips for each of the areas.
  
  Source: Nolo.com   |  Published: 2009

Nonprofit Payroll: What Records to Keep?

• Short listing of what each employee's payroll and personnel file should contain, and how long you should keep each record.
  
  Source: OpportunityKnocks.org   |  Published: 2008

A Board Member's Guide to Nonprofit Insurance

• This is an excellent Q&A with Pamala Davis, president and CEO of Nonprofits Insurance Alliance Group. She answers questions about the most common claims made against nonprofits, Directors & Officers liability insurance, and recommended coverage (in dollar terms). Very helpful and highly recommended.
  
  Source: blueavocado.org   |  Published: 2008

State Liability Laws for Charitable Organizations and Volunteers

• Beginning with an overview of the liability environment, this 4th edition of State Liability Laws for Charitable Organizations and Volunteers provides a state-by-state review of the evolving landscape of charitable immunity and volunteer protection laws. A 124-page PDF.
  
  Source: Nonprofit Risk Management Center   |  Published: 2009

Stay Exempt

• The IRS has created animated tutorials, complete with cartoon characters, to help nonprofit organizations maintain their exemption. The topic areas are:

   

   

  1) Tax-Exempt Status - Learn the ABCs of 501(c)(3) tax exemption and how to avoid

       activities that jeopardize it.

   

  2) Unrelated Business Income - Identify when income-producing activities generate

       taxable income and how to report and pay taxes on it.

   

  3) Employment Issues - Learn the differences between employees, independent contractors,

       and volunteers, and the different tax treatment required for each.

   

  4) Form 990 - Walk through the steps of filling out Form 990, and learn how

       good recordkeeping is essential for accurate completion.

   

  5) Required Disclosures - Learn your organization’s responsibilities to disclose

       certain types of information to the general public.

  
  Source: IRS   |  Published: 2008