List of Nonprofit Resources

Thrive has compiled the following resources for our nonprofit members and anyone else interested in learning more about the nonprofit community. To go to our Hot Topics page for even more information, Click here.

Contact Our Legislators

General Nonprofit Resources

Local Nonprofit Resources

Starting a New Nonprofit

Local Nonprofit Membership Associations

San Mateo County Nonprofit Networks

E-Newsletters on the Nonprofit Sector & Philanthropy

Advocacy & Public Policy Resources

Board Development & Nonprofit Governance

Funding Opportunities & Fundraising Resources

Marketing & Communications Resources

Technology Resources

Other Community Resources

The Bigger Picture

Sarbanes Oxley and the California Nonprofit Integrity Act

Alliance Resource Center (ARC)

Produced by the Alliance for Nonprofit Management, the Alliance Resource Center (ARC) is a searchable database of resources for nonprofits. It includes information on organizations, websites, books, newsletters and other products and services for nonprofit organizations. If you would like to include a listing in the Alliance Resource Center, see "Suggest a Resource" below.

California Association of Nonprofits

The California Nonprofit Association (CAN) is a statewide membership organization of over 1,700 diverse nonprofits, dedicated to protecting, strengthening, and promoting nonprofit organizations in the state of California. Highlights of CAN's work:

eCivis (www.eCivis.com) 

A  powerful, searchable database of government and private grants that can also be configured to notify grantees when potentially applicable grants are available. The County has a group license for it and has made it available to non-profits if they contact either Jim Saco, County Budget Director, or Michelle Mojas, Sheriff's Department Grant Coordinator.  From time to time the County hosts training classes as well, which I believe are also available to non-profit users as well.
Their contact information is:
Jim Saco - County of San Mateo, Budget Director
Phone: 650-363-4439
Email: jsaco@co.sanmateo.ca.us
Michelle Mojas, County of San Mateo, Sheriff's Department Grant Coordinator
Phone: 650-599-1974
Email: mmojas@co.sanmateo.ca.us

Guidestar - National Database of Nonprofit Organizations

Guidestar generates and distributes extensive program and financial information about more than 850,000 American charitable nonprofit organizations. It operates www.guidestar.org, a free, public Internet service and the nation's leading source of information about nonprofit organizations.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The Internal Revenue Service is a division of the United States Department of the Treasury. Since nonprofit organizations receive tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue code, they must comply with the regulations enforced by the IRS. Click here for more information from the IRS targeted toward nonprofit organizations. You may also do a search for charities registered with the IRS by clicking here.

In 2007, the IRS launched an online workshop called on Tax Basics for 501(c)(3) organizations. Users can complete the modules in any order and repeat them as many times as they like. The online training website does not require registration and its visitors will remain anonymous. You may access the workshop at http://www.stayexempt.org.

Internet Nonprofit Center

Internet Nonprofit Center is a program of The Evergreen State Society in Seattle, WA. The Internet Nonprofit Center is the home of the Nonprofit FAQ. The FAQ is based on "frequently asked questions" and their answers drawn from the 'Nonprofit' email discussion forum and other online resources.

Mary's List

Created by Mary Gregory, a Program Officer at Pacific Foundation Services (PFS), Mary's List offers a way for non-profits to connect with qualified consultants and for consultants to connect with each other. With over 120 consultants on the list and new job postings every week, PFS offers Mary's List OnLine as a valuable service to the non-profit community in San Francisco and as a communication hub for consultants. The "Resources for Nonprofits" section of the website is particularly interesting, offering links to a variety of local resources for SF Bay Area nonprofit organizations.

National Center for Charitable Statistics

The National Center for Charitable Statistics is the national clearinghouse of data on the nonprofit sector in the United States. NCCS is a program of the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy (CNP) at the Urban Institute in Washington, DC.

National Economic Development & Law Center (NEDLC)

Located in Oakland, the National Economic Development & Law Center (NEDLC) is a national research and consulting organization dedicated to building economic health and opportunity in vulnerable communities. NEDLC offers a variety of very useful tools, including legal resources for nonprofit corporation formation and operation such as sample bylaws, fiscal sponsor agreements, and memorandums of understanding.

Nonprofit Compensation & Benefits Surveys - California and National

The Center for Nonprofit Management in Los Angeles produces an annual Compensation & Benefit Survey of Northern California Nonprofits. They also produce one for Central & Southern California Nonprofits. In addition, the National Council of Nonprofit Associations (NCNA) also maintains a list of reports and surveys related to compensation and benefits at national and state levels.

Nonprofit Genie

Nonprofit Genie is a project of your local California nonprofit training & resource center, CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, and the California Management Assistance Partnership. These nonprofit organizations have created the GENIE to provide fast information to nonprofit managers, volunteers, and board members.

Nonprofit Good Practice Guide

Nonprofit Good Practice Guide is presented by the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. Topic Areas include: Accountability & Evaluation, Advocacy, Communications & Marketing, Foundations & Grantmaking, Fundraising & Financial Sustainability, Governance, Management & Leadership, Staff Development & Organizational Capacity, Technology, and Volunteer Management.

Nonprofit Expert

Nonprofit Expert is a service of MInges & Associates, LLC, a for-profit company. The website offers free resources and links to publications on such information as 501(c) status for organizations, Board Development, Budget Basics, Business Plans, Fundraising, Nonprofit Law, etc.

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Center for Community Based Organizations (Alameda/Contra Costa counties)

The mission of the Center for Community Based Organizations is to build the professional capacity of community benefit organizations serving the East Bay.

Center for Excellence in Nonprofits (Peninsula/Silicon Valley)

Center for Excellence in Nonprofits (CEN) provides the nonprofit community of Silicon Valley and the Peninsula with in-depth leadership development and continuous improvement programs through an innovative learning community model pioneered by CEN.

Community Organization Representation Project (San Francisco/Peninsula)

Community Organization Representation Project (CORP) is a project of the Volunteer Legal Services Project at the San Francisco Bar Association. CORP provides a variety of workshops and pro bono business law services to community-based organizations.

CompassPoint Nonprofit Services (San Francisco/Peninsula/Silicon Valley)

CompassPoint Nonprofit Services is a nonprofit training, consulting and research organization with offices in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Through a broad range of services, we provide nonprofits with the management tools, concepts and strategies necessary to shape change in their communities.

Community Information Program/Peninsula Library System (San Mateo County)

Community Information Program (CIP) provides information on nonprofit and public services available to people who live or work in San Mateo County, California.

Peninsula Nonprofit Center & Philanthropy Center (San Mateo/Santa Clara counties)

Peninsula Nonprofit Center of the Peninsula Community Foundation (PCF) provides development and grantseeking assistance, as well as ongoing training opportunities. In addition to the Nonprofit Center, PCF offers the Philanthropy Center as a gateway for local community investors who want to educate themselves about the charitable sector. Qualified 501(c)3 organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties may register in this unique online resource.

Roundtable Series for Nonprofit Organization

Presented by Burr, Pilger & Mayer LLP, Coblentz Patch, Duffy & Bass LLP, essex & drake, and Rusher Fundraising Council, Loscavio & LoPresto Executive Search, the Roundtable Series for Nonprofit Organizations offers, free of charge, seminars to assist the nonprofit sector with the challenges they face. During the past eleven years, over 2,500 nonprofit staff, management and board members have attended and benefited from the Roundtables. These Roundtables have developed a widespread following over the years and continue to grow in prestige. As excellent examples of business giving back to the community, these sponsors are pleased to again offer this long running series. Use the following link for more info about upcoming sessions: http://www.bpmllp.com/events/EventList.aspx?type=np

San Mateo County Training, Purchasing, & Recruitment Advertising Programs

In the spirit of partnership, the County of San Mateo offers training opportunities, purchasing discounts, and recruitment advertising for nonprofit organizations. For more information, check out the County Website and/or contact the County's Nonprofit Coordinator.

San Mateo Library - Foundation Center Cooperating Collection

The San Mateo Main Library (SMPL) hosts the county's only special collection for nonprofits. We have a core collection of Foundation Center directories, access to the Foundation Center Online database, and other published works about foundations, corporate giving, nonprofit management and related fundraising subjects. The Foundation Center Online database is available only at the Main library. The library also subscribes to the Chronicle of Philanthropy and Grassroots Fundraising Journal. SMPL is open to the public seven days a week, and anyone with a card from a San Mateo county library may check out materials. CLICK HERE for more information.

In the spirit of partnership, the County of San Mateo offers training opportunities, purchasing discounts, and recruitment advertising for nonprofit organizations. For more information, check

Stanford Law School - Free Legal Advice to Nonprofits

The Organizations and Transactions Clinic of Mills Legal Clinic at Stanford Law School provides free corporate legal services to Northern California nonprofits and foundations.  We work on corporate governance,  contracts, collaborations and communications.  Our students, under the supervision of experienced attorneys, perform targeted legal reviews and provide advice about governance and disclosure practices; prepare bylaws, conflict-of-interest and other board policies, committee charters, director orientation materials, board self-assessment tools and similar documents;  plan transactions, draft contracts, MOUs and other operating agreements and prepare related workplans; and draft template document and checklist, summary and other tools for management use.  We focus on providing practical and context-aware support to senior leaders. Go to http://www.law.stanford.edu/program/clinics/transactions/ for more info.

Starting a New Nonprofit Organization

When starting a new nonprofit, it’s a good idea to see if you can find a nonprofit doing similar work, and talk to them about how they got started.  Also, a good first step is the Foundation Center, which has a wonderful online tutorial as well as trainings to help people thinking about starting a nonprofit and writing grants.  Their website is http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/establish/.

The Foundation Center library is up in San Francisco, and they have a calendar of events on their webpage: http://foundationcenter.org/sanfrancisco/.

Resources from Carter McNamara are also useful.  Go to:http://www.managementhelp.org/strt_org/strt_np/strt_np.htm

 "Starting and Building a Nonprofit" from Nolo Press is a good resource too.  It's available through the Peninsula Library System in book and ebook format. Visit them at http://www.plsinfo.org. The book can also be found in bookstores and at amazon.com.

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Contra Costa County: Contra Costa Contractors' Alliance

Contra Costa Contractors' Alliance is a membership association of agencies which have contracts with Contra Costa County Departments. Though the alliance does not currently have a websit, you may contact Liz Callahan for more information at (925) 932-4755 or thealliance@astound.net.

Marin County: Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership of Marin

Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership of Marin (formerly Marin Nexus, Marin Council of Agencies, and the Volunteer Center of Marin) promotes volunteerism, strengthens nonprofit organizations, and enhances community leadership in Marin County through a broad range of services and resources.

San Francisco County: Human Services Network

San Francisco Human Services Network (HSN) is a membership association of more than 90 community-based human service organizations in San Francisco. Though HSN does not currently have a website, you may contact Debbi Lerman for more information at debbilerman@sfhsn.org. In 2001, HSN also worked with SF State's Urban Institute to develop a comprehensive profile of San Francisco's Nonprofit Human Service Providers. A copy of the executive summary may be downloaded from the web as an Adobe PDF file by clicking here.

San Mateo County: Thrive, The Alliance of Nonprofits for San Mateo County

Thrive, The Alliance of Nonrpofits for San Mateo County helps nonprofit organizations improve the quality of life in our community through advocacy, education and support.

Santa Clara County: Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits

The Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofit is a membership organization open to all 501 c-3 nonprofits in Silicon Valley with an emphasis on Santa Clara County.

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Adolescent Collaborative Action Team (ACAT)

ACAT's mission is to work in partnership with the community to provide all adolescents in San Mateo County with the support, services, and programs needed to achieve life-long self-sufficiency and a positive transition to a healthy, responsible, and productive adult life. ACAT generally meets the 3rd Wednesday of most months from 3:30-5:00pm at the Human Services Agency, 400 Harbor Boulevard, Building B, Belmont. For more information, please contact Shauna Wilson at 650-513-0330 x308 or swilson@pcrcweb.org. Please specify ACAT, as she handles many email lists.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention Task Force

This task force is still accepting members from all sectors of the community. If you are interested in joining, contact Cristina Heinz at 650-573-2304 or cheinz@co.sanmateo.ca.us.

Children's Collaborative Action Team (CCAT)

CCAT is a public-private partnership among child service agencies working to improve the lives of children in San Mateo County. Its mission is to provide leadership to prevent child abuse by advocating, coordinating resources, and raising community awareness through education and training.

CCAT generally meets the 3rd Monday of most months from 2:45-4:00pm at the Human Services Agency, 400 Harbor Boulevard, Building B, Belmont. For more information, please contact Barb Joos at 650-802-5122 or bjoos@co.sanmateo.ca.us.

Coastside Collaborative for Children, Youth, and Families

The Coastside Collaborative generally meets the 2nd Friday of most months from 9:00-10:30am at the Cabrillo Unified School District Conference Room, 498 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay. For more information, contact Cheryl Sinclair at 650-563-7121 or cherylsinclair@dochs.org.

Daly City Peninsula Partnership Collaborative (DCPPC)

The mission of the DCPPC, which is comprised of more than 60 agencies and institutions, is to promote and facilitate collaborative efforts to ensure that all members of the Daly City community have access to the health, education and social services they need to be successful in both school and life. Meeting schedule varies. For more information, please contact Ed Barney, 650-746-8372 or ebarney@dalycity.org.

East Palo Alto Interagency Council Meeting

The EPA Interagency Council's meeting schedule varies. Meetings are usually located at the Ravenswood Resoiurce Center, 1798 Bay Road, East Palo Alto. For more information, please contact Delores Farrell at 650-330-7442 or farrelldee@yahoo.com. To be added to the notification list, please contact Pat Michelin at 650-802-7549 or michelin@plsinfo.org.

Housing Leadership Council (HLC)

HLC's mission is to preserve and expand the range and supply of adequate, accessible and affordable housing for residents and the workforce in San Mateo County. Sign up for monthly e-news and occasional action alerts to get involved in increasing housing choices in the county. Contact Moira Birss, Program Organizer, at (650) 872-4444 or mbirss@hlcsmc.org. Website: http://www.hlcsmc.org

North County Providers Meeting

The North County Providers generally meet on the 1st Friday of most months from 9:00-10:30am at the San Mateo County Health Department, 225 - 37th Avenue, Room 100, San Mateo. For more information, contact Pat Michelin at 650-802-7549 or michelin@plsinfo.org.

Pacifica Collaborative

The Pacifica Collaborative generally meets on the 1st Thursday of most months from 9:00-10:30am at the Board Room of the Pacifica School District, 375 Reina del Mar Blvd., Pacifica. For more information, contact Julie Lancelle, 650-738-6693 or jlancelle@pacificasd.org.

Peninsula Clergy Network

The mission of the Peninsula Clergy Network is to establish an interactive network of clergy leaders in San Mateo and Northern Santa Clara Counties in order to build knowledge, understanding and working relationships. For more information, contact Rabbi Jay Miller at 650- 201-0002 or pcn@blueconnect.org. Website: http://www.peninsulaclergynetwork.org

Preteen Alliance

An initiative of the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, the Preteen Alliance is a collaborative that promotes the positive emotional and behavioral health of preteens. Serving San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, the Alliance offers an opportunity for a regional, coordinated focus on the important -- but too often neglected -- age group of children ages 9-13. Website: http://forum.lpfch.org/whyjoin.html

Peninsula Clergy Network

The mission of the Peninsula Clergy Network (PCN) is to establish an interactive network of clergy leaders in San Mateo and Northern Santa Clara Counties in order to build knowledge, understanding and working relationships.  PCN promotes increased interaction between religious and civic leaders and the communities they jointly serve.  For more information, contact Rabbi Jay Miller at jaymiller@blueconnect.org or 650-201-0002.

Prevention of Childhood Obesity Task Force

The Task Force formed as a result of the Community Health Improvement Initiative to Eliminate Health Disparities. The Task Force is in the early stages of the strategic planning process, so it is not too late to become a member and add your expertise. For more information, contact Michelle Oppen at 650-573-2507 or moppen@co.sanmateo.ca.us.

Redwood City Human Service Agencies

The Redwood City Human Service Agencies generally meet on the 4th Wednesday of January, april, July, and October from 1:00-3:00pm at the Fair Oaks Community Center, 2600 Middlefield Road, Redwood City. For more information, contact Norma Lomeli at 650-780-7509 or nlomeli@redwoodcity.org.

Senior I&R Forum

The North County Providers generally meet on the 2nd Wednesday of most months from 9:00-10:30am at the South San Francisco Adult Education School (in a Head Start portable), 825 Southwood Drive, South San Francisco. For more information, contact Pat Michelin at 650-802-7549 or michelin@plsinfo.org.

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E-Newsletters on the Nonprofit Sector & Philanthropy

Following is a list of some of Thrive's favorite e-newsletters on the Nonprofit Sector & Philanthropy. We scan these for the most relevant articles/topics and include them in our e-newsletter, along with other information we feel is of interest to the local nonprofit sector serving San Mateo County.

Aspen Philanthropy Letter (APL) is published by The Aspen Institute, and reports on new ideas and other developments that may affect the field of philanthropy in the years to come. Philanthropy Newsletter Archives are also available.

CIP Resource Bulletin, produced by the Peninsula Library System's Community Information Program (PLS/CIP) is always loaded with wonderful information relevant to the San Mateo County community.

Grassroots Fundraising E-Newsletter provides practical tips and tools to help raise money for your organization. The E-newsletter is distributed monthly, and includes the popular and informative Dear Kim column, upcoming public workshop schedule, and information about new resources. Occasionally there are also seasonal promotions for discounts on Grassroots Fundraising Journal subscriptions and other publications. The end of each e-newsletter also includes classified ads for job announcements and services.

Guidestar's Newsletter includes latest news on the GuideStar website as well as articles and information for anyone interested or involved in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.

Nonprofit Quarterly's E-Newsletter highlights articles in current and past issues of the Nonprofit Quarterly, a unique print magazine that provides nonprofit leaders with the cutting edge, relevant and useful information you need to manage more effectively and advance your mission.

Philanthropy News Digest (PND) is produced by Foundation Center, and highlights news related to philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. PND also hosts a message board called PNDTalk to encourage further discussion.

ZimNotes is a free monthly E-newsletter produced by Zimmerman Lehman, a consulting team based in San Francisco that offers a broad range of services to help nonprofit organizations maximize their financial, board, volunteer and staff resources.

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Advocacy & Public Policy Resources

501(h)/Form 5768: Election/Revocation of Election by an Eligible 501(c)3 Organization to Make Expenditures to Influence Legislation

Form 5768 from the IRS allows eligible 501(c)3 organizations to list only expenditures used to influence legislation under Section 501(h) of the Internal Revenue Code. This form only needs to be filed once, and both the Alliance for Justice and California Association of Nonprofits highly recommend that all nonprofits that plan to do any type of advocacy file this form with the IRS. For more information about Section 501(h) and advocacy by 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, please click here.

Bill Information - California Legislative Information

Information about Assembly and Senate Bills is available from the Legislative Counsel of California, pursuant to California Law. The full text of bills, resolutions, and constitutional amendments, and their status, history, votes, analyses, and veto messages are available. If you know the bill, select the session, and House of origin, and type the bill number to retrieve this information. To search, select the session, and House of origin, and type the keywords and/or author name(s). An Index is available which lists all bills introduced in the Assembly and Senate.

California Budget Project

The California Budget Project (CBP) serves as a resource to the media, policymakers, and state and local constituency groups seeking accurate information and analysis of a range of state policy issues. Through independent fiscal and policy analysis, public education, and collaboration with other organizations, we work to improve public policies affecting the economic and social well-being of low- and middle-income Californians.

Center for Community Change

Located in Washington, DC, the Center for Community Change produced a report in October 2005 entitled, "Promising Practices in Revenue Generation for Community Organizing: An Exploration of Current and Emerging Fundraising and Grantmaking Practices in Community Organizing." The report identifies some of the new funders supporting organizing, and reports that others have entered the field by using intermediaries and funder collaboratives, which work to take away some of the perceived risk and controversy in funding organizing. Read the paper online at http://comm-org.wisc.edu/papers2005/beckett.htm#33.

Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest

Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI) is intended to be a public resource for nonprofit organizations in the United States and in other countries that want to find about the powerful contributions to society that can come from lobbying in the public interest. The site is inspired by the vision of Bob Smucker, founder of Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest who wants public interest organizations to know their own strength and abilities to represent the people and causes they serve. CLPI's new Roadmap for Engagement in Legislative Advocacy, includes an outline of the necessary questions nonprofits must consider to build up their capacity and their strategies.  Read more about CLPI and download the Roadmap at http://www.clpi.org/CLPI_Roadmap_Website_Announcement.aspx

The California Endowment

The California Endowment recognizes that public policy is essential to achieving meaningful changes in access to quality health care and improvements in the health status of California's underserved communities. The Endowment offers a variety of reports and resources of interest to nonprofit organizations (particularly those involved in health-related activities) that engage in advocacy and public policy activities. "The Challenge of Assessing Advocacy: Strategies for a Prospective Approach to Evaluating Policy Change and Advocacy" (PDF) provides an overview of the challenges of evaluating policy change, establishes guiding principles for policy change evaluation and makes recommendations for a prospective approach to conducting an evaluation.

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Board Development & Nonprofit Governance

Board Source, formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards, is dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations by strengthening their boards of directors. BoardSource offers resources, workshops, training, an extensive Web-based database, consultants, and an annual conference for improving nonprofit governance.

BoardNet USA is a unique website dedicated to the express purpose of connecting nonprofit boards and new leaders. It is designed to be a common technological platform for a national collaborative network of communities working locally to enhance nonprofit board governance. This growing network of Community Partners work together on common themes of populating board rooms as well as individually developing services tailored to their local market.

Center for Excellence in Nonprofits provides a variety of programs on the Peninsula and in Silicon Valley related to Board Development & Nonprofit Governance.

CompassPoint Nonprofit Services offers a variety of services related to Board Development & Nonprofit Governance, including:

Talisman Associates has offices in Chicago and Washington, DC, and provides online and hands-on consulting as well as training and education for nonprofits in the areas of Fundraising, Training and Education, Leadership and Mentoring and Professional Development. They offer a variety of useful articles on board development and governance.

The Volunteer Center's Board Match Plus program helps potential board candidates learn about nonprofit board service and apply for available board positions, and provides our community's nonprofits with the expertise and resources that allow them to recruit quality board members. The program offers online board matching, as well as quarterly Orientations about Nonprofit Board Service designed to educate the public about board roles and responsibilities in order to promote and facilitate healthy governance for our community's nonprofit organizations.

Sample Call for Nominations and Board Application from Talisman Associates. Included in Fundraising and Your Board Handouts - http://www.3talisman.com/articles.asp

Sample Board Assessment and Self-Evaluation Forms from Talisman Associates. Included in Fundraising and Your Board Handouts - http://www.3talisman.com/articles.asp

Sample Board Fundraising Activities & Fax Reply Form from Talisman Associates. Included in Fundraising and Your Board Handouts - http://www.3talisman.com/articles.asp

Talisman, Barbara. "The Three E's of Board Fundraising: Encourage, Empower, and Enable," Talisman Associates, Inc., Printed in Association Forum, November 2000. http://www.3talisman.com/articles.asp

"Boards Behaving Badly: Observations from the Field" by Owen Heiserman – The Nonprofit Quarterly (Summer 2005) - Read more: http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org/section/727.html

"Board Diversity Grid" by Richard Male - Download PDF Template: http://richardmale.com/documents/Boardgrid.pdf

Conflict of Interest Policies - Guidestar found that 80% of its 2005 survey participants had a conflict of interest policy. Interested in developing or refining one for your organization? Check out the resource list put together by Guidestar at http://www.guidestar.org/news/features/question_dec05.jsp

"Managing the Risk of Board Discontent" - Produced by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, this article highlights ways to keep your board interested and active, not bored or overworked. Read more: http://www.mncn.org/info/basic_gov.htm#board%20role%20&%20resp

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Funding Opportunities, Fundraising Resources, & Fiscal Sponsorship

Funding Opportunities

Click here to see a list of funding opportunities compiled by Thrive.

www.grants.gov is the single access point for programs offered by all Federal grant-making agencies. It is a one-stop way to search for grant opportunities and to actually apply by downloading grant packages and submitting applications. Sign up on the web site for news and updates in the form of a free electronic quarterly newsletter, “Succeed."

Fundraising Resources

The Foundation Center supports and improves philanthropy by promoting public understanding of the field and helping grantseekers succeed. Located in downtown San Francisco, the Foundation Center Library offers local training programs, a monthly newsletter, and other community resources for grantseekers and grantmakers. In addition, the Foundation Center produces a variety of research studies on philanthropic trends.

GrantsUSA "California Guide to Grants Online" features nearly 5,000 in-depth profiles on private foundations and corporations that make grants to California nonprofits. Special discount offer is available to GrantsUSA affiliates, including California Association of Nonprofits and the San Mateo County Council of Nonprofits. Try the risk-free, cost-free, full-featured demo and subscribe today at www.GrantsUSA.net.

Grassroots Fundraising Journal is published every other month, providing much-needed information on how to build successful organizations. Each issue offers practical, how-to instruction on fundraising strategies such as direct mail, special events, major gift campaigns, and online fundraising. Also included are tools to help you build a board of directors that is willing to raise money, choose a database to track donors, manage your time effectively, and ultimately develop a successful fundraising program. - see sample article by clicking here.

United Way of the Bay Area serves 7 Bay Area counties, including the county of San Mateo. Agencies may receive funding from United Way of the Bay Area in the following ways:

Carlson, Mim with Cheryl Clarke. "Team-Based Fundraising Step-by-Step: A Practical Guide to Improving Results thru Teamwork," Josey-Bass Inc., 2000. http://fdncenter.org/pnd/offtheshelf/ots.jhtml?id=1300022

Ciconte, Barbara L. and Jeanne Jacob. "Fundraising Basics: A Complete GuideÓ (2nd ed.), Aspen's Fundraising Series for the 21st Century," Aspen Publishers, 2001. Check out Chapter 5: Developing and Evaluating Your Fundraising Plan. http://fdncenter.org/pnd/offtheshelf/ots.jhtml?id=6800006

Hodiak, Diane L. and Michael J. Henley. "Fundraising and Marketing in the One-Person Shop: Achieving Success with Limited Results" (4th ed.), Development Resource Center, 2002. http://www.drcharity.com/

Klein, Kim. "Fundraising for Social Change" (4th ed.), Chardon Press, 2001. Check out Chapter 33: Creating a Fundraising Plan. http://www.josseybass.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0787961744.html

Klein, Kim. "Fundraising for the Long Haul," Chardon Press, 2000. Check out Chapter 1: The Elements of a Healthy Fundraising Program, as well as Chapter 6: The Truth about Boards (and Fundraising).
http://www.josseybass.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0787961736.html

Quatmann, Vicki. "You Can Do It: A Volunteer's Guide to Raising Money for Your Group in Words and Pictures," Southern Empowerment Project (SEP), 2002. Also available in Spanish! http://www.southernempowerment.org

Fiscal Sponsorship Information

Special thanks to Scott Ullman of the Foundation Center for sharing these two documents with Thrive:

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Marketing & Communications Resources

"10 Tips for Getting Press Coverage" by Terry Nagel, Communications Officer for the Skoll Foundation

"Communications Toolkit – A Guide to Navigating Communications for the Nonprofit World."  The Toolkit was created by Cause Communications, with support from The Annenberg Foundation, The California Endowment, The James Irvine Foundation and the Marguerite Casey Foundation.

"Media Directory & Handbook" (PDF), prepared by the County of San Mateo in 2002.

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Technology Resources

Idealware provides candid Consumer-Reports-style reviews and articles about software of interest to nonprofits, centralized into a website. Through product comparisons, recommendations, case studies, and software news, Idealware allows nonprofits to make the software decisions that will help them be more effective.

TechSoup is powered by CompuMentor, one of the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit technology assistance agencies. TechSoup.org offers nonprofits a one-stop resource for technology needs by providing free information, resources, and support.

Sarbanes Oxley and the California Nonprofit Integrity Act

The Sarbanes Oxley (also known as SOX) act requires an audit for any nonprofit with revenues over $1 million (FYI, the Board should “hire” the auditor, not the ED). SOX requires the lead & reviewing partner of the auditing firm to rotate every 5 years (this doesn’t mean the firm has to change). The Board should review & approve the financial statements and the 990. SOX also requires nonprofits to have a Conflict of Interest policy, whistleblower policy and document retention & destruction policy. This will be required for the new 2009 990 as well.

The California Nonprofit Integrity Act audit requirements are applicable if a charitable organization receives or accrues in any fiscal year gross revenue of $2 million or more. (*NOTE: grant or contract income from the government is not included in the charitable organization’s gross revenue so long as the governmental entity requires an accounting of those funds. Government audits are required if a nonprofit spends more that $500,000 in federal funds.)

Even if your organization is exempt from the audit requirement, you are still covered under other provisions including:
accounting standards (financial records must be maintained on the basis of “generally accepted accounting principles – GAAP” (maintain a chart of accounts & use standard double-entry accounting to record all transactions)
Register with the Registry of Charitable Trusts. The board must approve the compensation (salary & benefits) of the CEO/ED and the CFO. Outside fundraising professionals must be registered with the Attorney General prior to being hired. All work performed by outside fundraisers must be done through a written contract (the act has some specifics about these contracts too).

The Attorney General’s office is ramping up enforcement of compliance with the new law. Their past efforts have been focused on complaints received from donors, but they are starting to be more proactive. If your organization is not in compliance, you will have to answer to the State. Compass Point has a toolkit to help you decide whether you’re in compliance with this act: https://www.compasspoint.org/content/index.php?pid=155.

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