How to Start a Nonprofit: A Practical Guide for Nonprofit Founders

Weather vane against blue background - nonprofit startup

If you’re here, I’m guessing you have the vision and passion to make a difference. Maybe it’s the lack of after-school programs, gaps in mental health services, or disappearing green spaces in your community. You’re ready to move beyond volunteering and create something permanent: a nonprofit organization that can accept tax-deductible donations, apply for grants,…

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Three Nonprofit Committees Every Organization Needs

Nonprofit committees need to work together as a team

Nonprofits – let’s stop the committee madness! Whether you’re a brand-new nonprofit setting up your governance or an existing org with a million committees (Executive, Finance, Personnel, Development, Fundraising, Marketing, etc.) – this article is for you. Committees function within the board’s governance framework. For context, see Nonprofit Boards, Bylaws, and Policies. I see it…

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Building Strong Nonprofit Governance: Boards, Bylaws, and Policies

Strong Nonprofit GovernanceFoundation Paperwork - Bylaws, Policies, Board of Directors

Starting a nonprofit takes passion and drive. But it’s not just drafting mission statements and building relationships. To build something that lasts, you’ll also need to focus on the less glamorous but equally critical paperwork. Something that often gets overlooked by founders? Your nonprofit governance. The board structure, nonprofit bylaws, and policies and procedures aren’t…

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Survey Says…

There are several different topics in the nonprofit sector that can reliably kick up some drama, and today we’re talking about a big one – nonprofit executive compensation. How much money should a nonprofit leader be paid? How much is too much, or too little? And what the heck is a “rebuttable presumption of reasonableness”???…

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How should our members vote – by voice or ballot?

Voice votes should not be used for voting members of your nonprofit. Voice vote does not comply with Minn. Stat. 317A. Legally, the organization must maintain a roster of its members; and the right to vote is only conferred on those with voting rights under the statute and the bylaws. Therefore, we have an obligation to ensure…

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Can board members abstain from voting on nonprofit business?

Question: Some of our board members plan to abstain from voting on a contentious issue at our next board meeting. Can we have a rule to prevent abstention?  We should not allow abstaining because it is a bad practice on nonprofit boards. I’ve worked with many nonprofits, and board members often abstain as a way to…

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