As the Center's nonprofit specialists continue to answer questions, this page will host a repository of answers to frequent questions, including related resources. Answers will be grouped within the following list of topics. To read questions and answers within a topic, click on the title.

Additional answers and resources are coming soon, so be sure to check back!

• How to Start a Nonprofit
• Risk Management and Insurance
• Advocacy
• Communications and Marketing
• Financial Management
• Governance and Boardsmanship
• Human Resource Issues
• Should We Hire a Consultant?

HOW TO START A NONPROFIT
Topic	Date	Additional Info.
How to Start a nonprofit	March 2009
• Questions to ask before starting • What is a nonprofit? • What a nonprofit is not • The five step process • Five topics necessary to know

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RISK MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE
Topic	Date	Additional Info.
Risk Management and Insurance	April 2004
• What do I need to know about risk management and insurance? • How do I know what kind of insurances our nonprofit should carry? • Do we really need insurance and is it expensive? • How do I find insurance providers? • Can our board of directors be sued? • How does Directors' and Officers' (D&0) insurance protect them?

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Advocacy
Topic	Date	Additional Info.
Advocacy	June 2008
• What is advocacy? • What is lobbying? • What is political activity? • What is the advocacy and lobbying role in nonprofits? • What are acceptable advocacy activities? • How much can a nonprofit spend on advocacy and lobbying? • What is an “H Election”? • Should a nonprofit participate in advocacy? • Should a nonprofit participate in lobbying? • What should be considered by a nonprofit’s board and funders when considering advocacy? • What should nonprofits be aware of regarding support of a party or candidate for public office? • What are additional resources available to nonprofits regarding advocacy and lobbying?

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Communications and Marketing
Topic	Date	Additional Info.
Communications and Marketing	June 2008
• What role does marketing and communication play in the nonprofit sector? • What is marketing? • How is marketing different than public relations? • How does this fit within a nonprofit’s communications effort? • Who does marketing for the organization? • How does an organization go about marketing? • What is branding for a nonprofit? • What are some sources of assistance?

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Financial Management
Topic	Date	Additional Info.
Financial Management	August 2008
• What is financial management? • What is the role of a Finance Committee? • What is the role of the Treasurer and what are the position’s duties? • Who sets the standards for financial practice and reporting? • What types of reports should an organization be using? • Are there key ratios or ‘standards’ for tracking finances for nonprofits? • Why is it important to establish a budget for the organization? • How does an organization move from simple accounting to more sophisticated financial management described above? • How public should the finances of a nonprofit be? • If I suspect “irregularities” in the financial statements what should I do? • What resources are there that may help my organization better understand its financial management responsibilities:

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Governance and Boardsmanship
Topic	Date	Additional Info.
Governance and Boardsmanship	October 2008
• What laws govern nonprofit organizations? • Can a nonprofit be owned or organized by an individual? • How often should nonprofit boards meet? • What are the responsibilities of board membership? • What is the best size for a board? • Should the board have committees? • What other structures will help a board accomplish its work? • Can people not on the board serve on committees and task forces? • Where can I find additional information?

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Human Resource Issues
Topic	Date	Additional Info.
Human Resource Issues	December 2008
• What is Human Resource Management? • When is it necessary to have a Human Resource (HR) Department? • Do we need a HR Director? • Why do you keep referring to volunteers and paid staff together? Aren’t they different? • Do we need personnel policies? • Why are performance evaluations important? • How do we determine compensation and benefits? • Within compensation what are “intermediate sanctions’? • What is “at-will” employment? • What is the difference between exempt and non-exempt employees? • What is the difference between staff and independent contractors? • Employee Handbook • What additional resources are available to nonprofits regarding human resources?

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Should We Hire a Consultant?
Topic	Date	Additional Info.
Should We Hire a Consultant?	June 2009
• What are valuable areas of consultant expertise? • What is a consultant? • What Makes Up a Typical Consultation? • What are differences between nonprofit consulting and for-profit consulting?

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The information provided and contained at this site is not a substitute for professional legal counsel. Readers should consult legal counsel before taking any steps that may have legal consequences. Links to information are provided as a courtesy. They are not intended to nor do they constitute an endorsement of the linked materials.

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