How To Not Start A Nonprofit

In the best of times, a good argument can be made that most communities don’t need more nonprofits. In the current economic situation, it is even more important that potential nonprofit founders do their homework to ensure they are not duplicating the efforts of another organization and that they have a plan to financially support their work.

Action Steps

Using resources such as www.Guidestar.org and the 211 hotline in your community - identify, research, and meet with the nonprofits who work in the same field you are considering. See if there is a place for your idea or for you within an existing nonprofit.

Resources

Board Training Booklets (link)

Central Indiana Human Services Database
www.imcpl.org/cgi-bin/irntop.pl

United Way of Greater Cincinnati 2-1-1 Community Resource Directory http://www.refersoftware.com/uwgc/

The Nonprofit Kit
www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-047052975X.html

UW “Start a Nonprofit” Resource list www.uwex.edu/ces/CCED/nonprofits/management/sites_start.cfm

Citizen Media law Project -
/www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/indiana/forming-nonprofit-corporation-indiana