Frances Phillips

Creating and running a nonprofit organization can be a gratifying and worthwhile endeavor. Success depends on developing a good idea that meets a real need, testing that idea, planning (and planning some more), and inspiring others. Though the work is demanding, it’s also deeply rewarding.How to secure nonprofit statusBefore you can begin operating as the kind of nonprofit organization that receives tax-deductible gifts from donors, you need to secure 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in the eyes of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and your state.

Most nonprofit board work is done in meetings, either with the full board or in committees. The board president is responsible for ensuring that meetings are well organized and begin and end at a scheduled hour. Nothing damages board effectiveness more than poorly organized meetings that don’t stay on topic and that continue late into the night.

There's no shortage of information about starting and running a nonprofit organization. If you want to talk to someone about a specific problem, turn to one of the listed organizations. Chances are, someone has already encountered (and hopefully solved) whatever issue you've run into. You can also find helpful pointers on websites and in books.

Every nonprofit organization needs to raise money. Whether applying for grants, searching for individual donors, or throwing fundraising events, you're always going to be looking for new ways to bring in funds. These tips can help your nonprofit successfully raise money: Set clear, reasonable, yet ambitious fundraising goals based on a clear assessment of your organization's likeliest supporters.

Every nonprofit organization is overseen by a group of people called the board of directors. These generous board members agree to accept responsibility for making sure the nonprofit organization remains true to its mission and purpose.A board's primary governance responsibility is fiduciary, or to uphold the

Before you can begin operating as the kind of nonprofit organization that receives tax-deductible gifts from donors, you need to secure 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in the eyes of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and your state. Take the following steps to gain that nonprofit status for your organization: Choose a name for your nonprofit.

Although online donations still represent a modest percentage (13 percent as of 2020) of total giving to nonprofit organizations, that percentage is growing, and your nonprofit's website is an important fundraising tool.People give online because it's fast and convenient. Websites are particularly strong at reaching donors who know your organization well, trust it, and like the convenience of giving online.

Online giving still lags behind contributions that are made in response to in-person requests or traditional fundraising letters, but it increases every year. You'll want your organization to benefit from this growing trend by including e-mail letters among your fundraising tools. Good e-mailed letters are short and sweet.

Unless you're presiding over a very large and formal board meeting of your nonprofit organization, you can probably get by with following just a handful of parliamentary rules. In the 19th century, U.S. Army officer Henry Robert saw the need for a uniform set of rules to be used to manage the give and take of meetings.