The board is ultimately in control of the nonprofit corporation and responsible for its actions. So, you want to be careful in determining the composition of your charitable nonprofit's initial board. Here are 10 considerations: The prospective board members should be aware and and prepared to accept the fiduciary (legal) duties and responsibilities of […]
starting a nonprofit
CalNonprofits: Step by Step Guide for Starting a Nonprofit
Emily and I wrote the Step by Step Guide for Starting a Nonprofit for our good friends at CalNonprofits. Check it out here. If you're an executive or board member of a nonprofit and not familiar with CalNonprofits, you should be. Here's a short excerpt from their website: The California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits) […]
Starting a Nonprofit: Articles of Incorporation and Specific Purpose Statements
It is generally required that a nonprofit’s Articles of Incorporation or other organizing document state the general purpose(s) of the corporation. For example, the Articles of a California nonprofit public benefit corporation must include the following statements verbatim: “This corporation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of […]
Screwtape’s 10 Pieces of Advice to Founders of Nonprofits
Build it and they will come. You need to create a nonprofit before you start looking for donations. Don't waste your time with a business plan. The world moves so fast, it would be useless in a few months. Just go with the flow and follow the opportunities as they come. No matter what anyone […]
Starting a Nonprofit: What is “educational” under 501(c)(3)?
A 501(c)(3) organization may be organized and operated exclusively in furtherance of an educational purpose, but it is unclear to many startups what qualifies as educational. The first place to look is Treasury Regulation Section 1.501(c)(3)-1(d)(3), which provides that educational relates to: (a) The instruction or training of the individual for the purpose of improving or […]
Starting a Nonprofit: Form 1023 – Narrative of Activities
For those starting a charitable nonprofit, completing the IRS Form 1023 - Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code – may be the most difficult part of the process. Form 1023 includes 11 Parts and 8 Schedules. A critical section for an applicant to complete carefully is Part IV, […]
Starting and Representing a Nonprofit – Pro Bono Issues – BASF
Stephanie Petit, a principal with Adler & Colvin, and I will be presenting on Starting and Representing a Nonprofit- Pro Bono Issues for the Bar Association of San Francisco (301 Battery Street) on Wednesday, November 30, from noon to 1:30 p.m. You can register here to attend the event in person or by live webcast. On-demand […]
Legal Issues Facing Nonprofit Start-Up Organizations – Foundation Center, San Francisco
Yesterday, Gene and I presented at the Foundation Center in San Francisco on “Legal Issues Facing Nonprofit Start-Up Organizations.” Setting up and operating a successful nonprofit is challenging but possible under the right circumstances. Below we’ve highlighted some of the key steps and issues to consider prior to formation for determining whether a new nonprofit is […]
Legal Issues Facing Nonprofit Start-Up Organizations – August 17
Emily and I will be presenting a program on legal issues facing nonprofit start-up organizations at the Foundation Center – San Francisco on Wednesday, August 17, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Register here – it's free! Our topics will include: Fiscal sponsorship and other alternatives to starting a nonprofit organization Incorporating with the state Applying […]
Nonprofit Radio: So You Wanna Start a Nonprofit
We had a great time today on Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio conversing with Tony about starting a nonprofit and alternatives worth considering. You can listen to a recorded version here or check it out (in a few days) on ITunes. Here are some links on the subject you may also find helpful: 10 Keys to Starting a […]