Starting a Nonprofit Organization

Before You Start A Nonprofit
Information sponsored by About.com website.

Center for Nonprofit Management - Starting a Nonprofit
Extensive information and links, including forms.

Center for Nonprofit Management’s “Get Ready, Get Set” Guide (PDF)

Community Partners
Incubator program providing financial, administrative and technical support for fledgling nonprofit groups.

IRS FAQs About Applying for Tax Exemption

Public Counsel
Seminars on how to form a California charitable tax-exempt nonprofit corporation.

Tools, Training & Resources for Nonprofits

Center for Nonprofit Management
Professional development seminars.

CompassPoint’s Nonprofit Genie
FAQs on all aspects of nonprofit management. Developed through the California Management Assistance Partnership (CMAP).

Executive Service Corps of Southern California
Retired executives serve as consultants to strengthen nonprofit management skills.

Idealist.org - The Nonprofit FAQ
FAQs on nonprofit issues in the areas of organization, management, regulation, resources and development.

Management Assistance Program - Online Management Library
Hundreds of links on topics ranging from A(dvertising) to V(olunteers).

Board Development

Board Café
CompassPoint Nonprofit Services e-newsletter and articles to help nonprofit board members give and get the most out of board service.

boardnetUSA
Unique website dedicated to connecting nonprofit boards and new leaders.

BoardSource's Knowledge Center
Extensive information about nonprofit governance, trends in board practices and strategies to increase board effectiveness.

Governance Matters
Resource links to improve Board governance.

Grantsmanship

Foundation Center
Research, education and training programs to advance knowledge about U.S. philanthropy, including a comprehensive database on U.S. grantmakers and their grants (available at Flintridge’s Philanthropy Resource Library as Foundation Directory Online).

The Grantsmanship Center
Proposal writing training courses.

Non-Profit Guides
Free online grant-writing tools for nonprofit organizations, charitable, educational, public organizations, and other community-minded groups.

Membership Organizations

Alliance for Nonprofit Management
Devoted to improving the management and governance capacity of nonprofit organizations.

Association of Fundraising Professionals
Fosters the development and growth of fundraising professionals.

California Association of Nonprofits
Dedicated to protecting, strengthening and promoting nonprofit organizations in California.

Grants for Nonprofits Serving Children, Youth and Families in the San Gabriel Valley, CA

The Ahmanson Foundation
Bank of America Foundation
California Community Foundation
The California Wellness Foundation
City of Pasadena, Dept. of Housing & Development
Dwight Stuart Youth Foundation
Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation
Liberty Hill Foundation
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
Pasadena Community Foundation
Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation
The Patron Saints Foundation
The Walt Disney Company - Community Outreach
Weingart Foundation
Wells Fargo Foundation

Demographic Resources

HealthyCity
Comprehensive online database of social services in LA County. Create your own demographic maps through an interactive GIS (Geographic Information System) platform.

Pasadena Public Health Department MAP Campaign
Data and reports to improve community health.

Publications

The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Grassroots Fundraising Journal
The Nonprofit Times
Philanthropy News Digest
Youth Today

Legal Services

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

Public Counsel
Pro bono legal assistance for nonprofit organizations.

Leadership Training (Pasadena area)

Leadership Pasadena
Eight-month leadership development program to encourage people to work together toward common goals.

Pasadena Neighborhood Leadership Institute
Free eight-week, interactive training program to empower emerging, locally based leaders.

For Arts Organizations

Arts Loan Fund
Loans for Los Angeles-based nonprofit arts organizations and individual artists.

California Lawyers for the Arts
Legal services and attorney referrals for artists and arts organizations, as well as workshops on legal topics.

Pasadena Arts Council
Supports and promotes the arts in Pasadena.

 

Photo: Brian Biery