This course is a how-to guide for anyone who's got a great idea about how to give back to the community—but doesn't know how to turn that idea into a reality. The course begins by considering a fundamental question: Is starting a nonprofit the best way to achieve your philanthropic goals? For those who answer "Yes," the course then discusses the key steps in getting a nonprofit off the ground, including incorporating your organization; applying for tax-exempt status; drafting a business plan; choosing a board of directors and writing bylaws for the organization; recruiting employees and managing volunteers; and addressing the crucial issue of fundraising. Rich with videos and interactive content, this course provides a detailed and highly practical introduction to the fast-growing world of nonprofits.

Learning Outcomes:

• Articulate the advantages and disadvantages of starting a nonprofit organization
• List and describe the alternatives to a nonprofit structure
• Distinguish between a nonprofit organization's mission statement and its vision statement
• Explain the importance of a nonprofit's business plan, and list the elements that it should include
• Describe the different types of boards that a nonprofit may have, and the different strategies for recruiting new board members
• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of incorporation for nonprofits
• List the key steps in the incorporation process
• Explain the importance of an organization's formation documents and its organizational meeting
• List the steps involved in applying for 501 (c) (3) status
• Detail the actions needed to maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Explain the process of program planning and development
• Explain the importance of organizational strategy, and describe the three major approaches to strategic planning
• List the types of records that a nonprofit is required to keep, and discuss the particular importance of IRS Form 990
• Describe how compensation packages for employees of a nonprofit differ from those of employees of a for-profit corporation
• List the types of insurance that a nonprofit organization should have
• Describe the different types of fundraising efforts that a nonprofit may undertake, and explain how these can differ depending on the size of the organization

Credentials:

IACET CEUs: .4 (Contact Hours: 4 hours)HRCI Credits: 4 (Type: Specified - Strategic Business)SHRM PDCs: 4 CFRE Points: 4