Pool Your Nonprofit Resources Here!

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Welcome to the Giant List o' Nonprofit Resources!

Hi there! I'm in the process of starting my very own nonprofit organization, and for the past year I've been researching the ins and outs of every part of starting and running a nonprofit. I recently realized that, while there's tons of great websites about nonprofit fundraising, nonprofit law, etc., etc., I haven't found a single site that pulls together all of the resources that could help out the new nonprofiteer. After all, when you're just one person, embarking on this crazy journey to nonprofit-land, you really need to know as much as you can about everything, right?

So, that's what this lens is for. I'll start with all the great nonprofit resources I've found so far, and I'll keep updating it as I find more good stuff. And if you know of something that I haven't included, leave a comment and let me know!

Happy Nonprofiteering!

Nonprofit Basics 

Here's some good ways to get a big-picture view of what it takes to start a nonprofit - and what you're getting yourself into!


  • Nolo Press has some great articles on everything from what a nonprofit is, to creating a strategic plan for your organization. They've also got a great book called How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation - and for all you Californians, there's also How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation in California.

  • The Nonprofit Good Practice Center has some great online resources to learn about all areas of the nonprofit world. They also have links to pro-bono legal and facilities planning services for nonprofit organizations.

  • CompassPoint provides a wide range of nonprofit resources, from workshops and training programs to consulting services. If you're just getting started, they're a good place to look for guidance.

  • Join your local chapter of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network - go to meetings, discuss your work with other nonprofiteers, exchange ideas, and help each other out. You can also sign up for their newsletter to keep up-to-date with what's going on in your area of the nonprofit world.

  • Leslie Crutchfield and Heather McLeod Grant's new book,

Fundraising 

Great ways to learn about looking for money - and some places to find it too!


  • The Foundation Center has lots of great online resources, including tutorials on the basics of fundraising and looking for grants. They also have branches in most major US cities, where you can attend free workshops and use their libraries and funding databases for free.

  • Check out ePhilanthropy for information on getting started with online fundraising. Plus take their Online Philanthropy Ethics Test, to see if your organization is following best practices and making the most of its fundraising effort!

  • The Chronicle of Philanthropy is a great resource for new and seasoned fundraisers alike. Their website has lots of great articles and how-tos on dealing with the world of philanthropy, or you can subscribe to the paper version, which also gives you full access to everything on their website. Their blog also provides a roundup of other nonprofit blog posts - if you've only got time to read one nonprofit blog, this should be the one!

Marketing and Promotion 

Here's some fun and interesting ways to spread the word - and some insights on the dos and donts of marketing!


  • Idealist.org and Change.org are both great ways to connect with like-minded nonprofiteers, realated events to attend, and even volunteers and supporters for your cause.

  • Peopleized is a great new site that lets you interview - and be interviewed by - other members. It's a good way to get your message out there and tell people what you're all about.

  • The Writing911.com blog is a good resource for all things communication and writing-related. Along with interesting blog posts, the site also has lots of useful tip sheets and articles on nonprofit communication, plus links to Kivi's other sites: Nonprofit Newsletters.net and Nonprofit Annual Reports.net.

  • While not geared specifically towards nonprofits, SEO Book's internet marketing mindmap has all the resources, articles and tools you'll ever need to get started in marketing yourself on the web!

  • And of course, don't forget Squidoo! Build a lens for your organization - or even two or three!

Techonology for Nonprofits 

Thinking about putting in a contact management system, or starting a blog to promote your site? Here's some technology resources specifically for nonprofits.


  • Tech Soup is an incredibly useful resource - they've got news and articles, services to match you up with technology donations, and a great blog on integrating technology into your organization.

  • At the Bamboo Project Blog, you'll find Michelle Martin's fabulous insights on using technology - and blogging specifically - to run and promote your organization more effectively. She doesn't always discuss nonprofits specifically, but her thoughts are useful to all organizations - for-profit and nonprofit alike.

  • The Wild Apricot Blog is full of useful tips on using web technology and social media tools for your organization. Wild Apricot also provides affordable membership management software for nonprofits to manage their contacts, events, websites, and donations.

Nonprofit Books from Amazon 

If you've got a nonprofit book you've read and loved, add it to the list!

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The Imagineering Way, by The Disney Imagineers

The Imagineering Way, by The Disney Imagineers

This is a great book to help you keep thinking big more...1 point

2

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Hank Rosso's Achieving Excellence in Fund Raising (Jossey Bass Nonprofit & Public Management Series)

Hank Rosso's Achieving Excellence in Fund Raising (Jossey Bass Nonprofit & Public Management Series)

I've heard this referred to as The Fundraiser's Bi more...0 points

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Imagineering Workout, by The Disney Imagineers

Imagineering Workout, by The Disney Imagineers

A companion guide to The Imagineering Way - to hel more...0 points

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Storytelling for Grantseekers: The Guide to Creative Nonprofit Fundraising by Cheryl A. Clarke

Storytelling for Grantseekers: The Guide to Creative Nonprofit Fundraising by Cheryl A. Clarke

A great guide to telling your story and getting pe more...0 points

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Nonprofit Board Answer Book: Practical Guidelines for Board Members and Chief Executives by Robert C. Andringa

Nonprofit Board Answer Book: Practical Guidelines for Board Members and Chief Executives by Robert C. Andringa

Everything you need to know about finding and util more...0 points

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Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin

Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin

Just one of many great ones - while not specifical more...0 points

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Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath

Haven't read this one yet, but I'm told it's one o more...0 points

Legal Stuff 

I know you don't want to, but you gotta know this stuff...


  • Many bar associations provide pro-bono or low-cost consultations to nonprofit organizations, so check with your local bar association. The San Francisco Bar Association has a Volunteer Legal Services Program, and if you're in the arts, California Lawyers for the Arts provides affordable 30-minute consultations with nonprofit attorneys.

  • Gene Takagi's Nonprofit Law Blog is a great way to find answers to all your legal questions. Search the archives of his articles to find specific answers, or just read his new posts to keep up-to-date on the goings-on in the world of nonprofit law.


Services for Nonprofits 

Believe it or not, there are hundreds of organizations out there, just waiting to help you out. There are even nonprofits whose sole purpose is to help other nonprofits!


  • If you're looking for volunteers, there are a few great places to find them online. VolunteerMatch.org and One Brick can hook you up with people near you who are interested in what you're doing. If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, try The Volunteer Center and Hands On Bay Area - both great local resources for volunteers.

  • Finding board members who believe in your cause can be tough too - BoardNetUSA can help you find the perfect people to join your board and help move your organization forward - anywhere in the US.

  • Need office furniture and supplies? Places like Excess Access and Gifts In Kind match donors' donations with nonprofits' wish lists, getting your organization the supplies it needs for free! If you're in the Bay Area, iReuse does the same thing for local organizations. Also, check out your local freecycle group, where you can make requests for specific items, and if someone has one to give, they'll give it to you!

  • Looking to hire - or just looking for a job? Opportunity Knocks and Craigslist are both great places to post jobs and hire staff. Opportunity Knocks even lets you set up a custom job search and have the results emailed to you every week. (thanks, Jess!)

  • The Taproot Foundation specializes in hooking nonprofits up with pro-bono services. Apply for one of their service grants, and you can get professional help on everything from marketing to strategic planning to facilities design!

Free-Range Drama Farm 

Check out what's going on in my little corner of nonprofit land!

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Other Roundups of Nonprofit Resources 

Here's a few other sites with great lists of resources...


  • Idealist.org has a nice, comprehensive collection of links on starting and running a nonprofit. It's got a combination of links to other sites, articles, and interviews with other nonprofiteers.

  • If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Craigslist Foundation has put together a Nonprofit Support Yellow Pages of resources in the Bay Area. They have plans to add several other cities soon, and eventually make it a national resource - I'll post them here as soon as they do!

Infinite Resources (and some shameless self-promotion...) 

One last thought to leave you with: As I've been researching and talking to nonprofit experts, I've found that the very best resources out there are the thousands of other nonprofits around you.

In the world of for-profit business, organizations focused on similar goals are often seen as competitors - but for us nonprofiteers, that's not the case. Look for organizations whose missions mesh with yours, and see if you can find a way to help each other out. Maybe you can combine resources on a project, or throw a joint fundraiser - or maybe you each provide something that the other one could use. Be innovative. We're all trying to make the world a better place - and we can do much more working together than we'll ever do on our own.

I'm working on creating a

What do you think? 

Was this list useful? Do you have something to add to it? Leave a comment and let us know what you think!

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  • Reply
    ShortSaleRealtor ShortSaleRealtor Jan 22, 2008 @ 3:41 pm
    great lens 5 stars 4 u
  • Reply
    SemperFidelis SemperFidelis Oct 13, 2007 @ 9:29 pm
    I need a list like this. A 5 to you! Consider stopping by our Recycling lens and giving a rating. We raise funds for Save The Children with this lens. :)
  • Reply
    Jess Jess Sep 6, 2007 @ 2:21 pm
    Opportunity Knocks is great place to list jobs and get staff. As is Craigslist.
    GREAT LIST!!!!!
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