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!

• Should We Form a Nonprofit?
• 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?
• Legal and Ethical Issues
• The Chair of the Nonprofit Board
• The Nonprofit Chief Executive Officer

 

Should We Form a Nonprofit?
Topic	Date
Should We Form a Nonprofit?	April 2010
Introduction Advantages Mission Driven Tax Exemption Receiving Donations Perpetual Life Employee Benefits Structure Personal Liability Protection Other Benefits Disadvantages Paperwork Costs of Incorporation Time and Energy Restrictions on Paying Directors Dissolution Issues Political Activity Restrictions Oversight No Distribution of Profits Sources of Capital Conclusion Related Resources
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How to Start a Nonprofit
Topic	Date
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 Related Resources
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Risk Management and Insurance
Topic	Date
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? Related Resources
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Advocacy
Topic	Date
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? Related Resources
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Communications and Marketing
Topic	Date
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? Related Resources
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Financial Management
Topic	Date
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? Related Resources
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Governance and Boardsmanship
Topic	Date
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? Related Resources
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Human Resource Issues
Topic	Date
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 Related Resources
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Should We Hire a Consultant?
Topic	Date
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? Related Resources
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Legal and Ethical Issues
Topic	Date
Legal and Ethical Issues	April 2010
Legal Issues Introduction How do I find what our legal requirements are? Should we retain legal counsel? What is the Board of Directors’ responsibility? How does a volunteer board put together good policies? Would it be helpful to be “accredited?” What would be a good resource for an overview of Code of Ethics for nonprofits? What are the ethical issues relative to fundraising (resource development)? What is the Donor Bill of Rights? Where can we find the most comprehensive assistance regarding ethics and philanthropy (fundraising)? Code of Ethical Principles and Standards Ethical Principles Ethical Standards Member Obligations Solicitation and Use of Philanthropic Funds Presentation of Information Compensation and Contracts Human Resource Legal Issues How important are human resources compliance issues? What is “At-will” employment? What is the difference between exempt and nonexempt employees? What is the difference between staff and independent contractors? What are “intermediate sanctions?” Summary Related Resources
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The Chair of the Nonprofit Board
Topic	Date
The Chair of the Nonprofit Board	April 2010
What is the Chair and who should occupy this role? What is the role of the Chair of the board? What should be the relationship between the Chair and CEO? What are some of the important skills that a Chair should possess? What are some dangers for the Chair of the board? Related Resources
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The Nonprofit Chief Executive Officer
Topic	Date
The Nonprofit Chief Executive Officer	April 2010
Should every nonprofit have a chief executive officer (CEO)? What is the proper title for this person? What is the Board's Role in Engaging the CEO? How Should the Board Engage a New CEO? How does the board carry out the support component? How should the board evaluate the CEO? The issue of termination of the chief executive officer Conclusion Appendix A – Sample Job Description Appendix B – Sample Engagement Letter Appendix C – Sample Evaluation Form for CEO Related Resources
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Last updated: 05/10/2010

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