Starting a Nonprofit Organization
We receive frequent inquiries on how to start a nonprofit organization. The Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee offers a three-part workshop series to provide you with information, answer your questions, and guide you through the decision-making and start-up processes. There are also many existing online resources that others have created. Instead of reinventing the wheel, we have collected some links for you below.
NPC Workshop Series on Starting a Nonprofit
Before You Begin…
If you are just starting out, we encourage you to attend the Nonprofit Center workshop Orientation to Starting a Nonprofit: To Be or Not to Be, which takes you through the basic questions to assess your readiness to create a nonprofit. Do you have the necessary experience and resources? Do you understand the importance of fiscal accountability, board development, good governance, and fundraising? Receive and review a checklist for nonprofit start-ups. The next workshop in our series, Starting a Nonprofit: Bringing Your Idea to Life, is for those who have already assessed their readiness and decided to start a nonprofit. It will address next steps such as focusing on your mission, building a team, and stretching a small budget. Once you have a mission statement, the third workshop in our series, Starting a Nonprofit and Beyond: Legal Issues and Documents, will guide you through the process to apply for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Learn about Articles of Incorporation, Employer ID Number (Form SS-4), Application for Recognition of Exemption (Form 1023), and bylaws. These workshops are held several times each year. Please look for them on our Workshop Calendar or contact the Nonprofit Center for details. Advance registration suggested. |
Online ResourcesHow to Start a Nonprofit by National Council of Nonprofits
How to Start a Nonprofit by Wisconsin Nonprofits Association Foundation Center’s Nonprofit Start-up Resources for Wisconsin Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, a large state association of nonprofits, provides an excellent road map to starting a nonprofit. For state specifics, check Wisconsin sites.
How to Start a Nonprofit Organization, blog from Small Business Association - updated 2013 The Nonprofit FAQ by National Center for Charitable Statistics - a program of The Urban Institute |
