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The Playbook

Starting a nonprofit? Start here.

Seventeen free guides to forming and running a charitable organization in the United States. General information, not legal or tax advice.

  1. Chapter 1 · Formation

    Choosing a mission

    Before any paperwork, decide what problem you are working on, for whom, and where. A precise mission makes every later decision easier.

  2. Chapter 2 · Formation

    501(c)(3) explained

    What the designation actually means, what it allows, and the limits that come with it.

  3. Chapter 17 · Growth

    Common mistakes new nonprofits make

    Most early failures are not dramatic. They come from small administrative lapses and a board that never learned to govern.

01

FormationDeciding what to build and making it a legal entity.

  1. 01

    Choosing a mission

    Before any paperwork, decide what problem you are working on, for whom, and where. A precise mission makes every later decision easier.

  2. 02

    501(c)(3) explained

    What the designation actually means, what it allows, and the limits that come with it.

  3. 03

    Incorporating a nonprofit

    Forming the legal entity with your state is the first formal step, and the wording of your articles matters later.

  4. 04

    Getting an EIN

    The Employer Identification Number is the organization's federal tax ID. It is free, and it comes after incorporation.

  5. 05

    Filing Form 1023 or 1023-EZ

    The application for federal recognition of exemption. Choosing the right form and filing on time both matter.

02

GovernanceThe board, and the rules it governs by.

  1. 06

    Building a board

    The board is legally responsible for the organization. Choose people who will govern, not just people who will agree.

  2. 07

    Writing bylaws

    Bylaws are the internal rules of the organization. Write ones your board will actually follow.

03

MoneyHandling funds and acknowledging gifts correctly.

  1. 08

    Opening a bank account

    Organization money must never mix with personal money. A dedicated account with proper controls is the first safeguard.

  2. 09

    Donations and tax receipts

    Donors rely on your acknowledgment to claim deductions. The rules are specific about when and what to write.

04

FundraisingAsking for money within the rules.

  1. 10

    Fundraising legally

    Asking for money is regulated. Most of the rules are about registration, honesty, and specific kinds of events.

  2. 11

    Finding and winning grants

    Grants reward organizations with a clear plan and a track record. Most early money comes from smaller, local sources.

  3. 12

    Working with corporate sponsors

    Sponsorship can fund events and programs, but the line between acknowledgment and advertising has tax consequences.

05

ComplianceThe filings that keep exemption in place.

  1. 13

    Annual reporting and compliance

    Exemption is not permanent by default. Staying in good standing requires a handful of filings every year.

06

MarketingBeing findable and credible.

  1. 14

    Building a website

    For most donors and volunteers, the website is the first check on whether an organization is real.

  2. 15

    Marketing a nonprofit

    Marketing for a small nonprofit is mostly consistent, specific communication with the people who already care.

07

GrowthPeople, and the mistakes worth avoiding.

  1. 16

    Recruiting volunteers

    Volunteers are not free labor. They need defined roles, screening where appropriate, and someone responsible for them.

  2. 17

    Common mistakes new nonprofits make

    Most early failures are not dramatic. They come from small administrative lapses and a board that never learned to govern.