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Letter of Inquiry Template

A compelling, well-organized, and succinct letter of inquiry to describe your organization and programs to prospective funders is an essential document for all nonprofits. It should be 1 - 2 pages long, and each letter should be customized to meet individual funder requirements or requests.

A letter of inquiry (LOI) introduces your organization to a funder. It’s purpose is to provide a brief but persuasive overview of your nonprofits mission and programs. The funder should be able to relate to and be excited about the work.

Use these tips as a loose guideline for creating your LOI.

  1. Open by explaining how your program is a best fit for the funders priorities

  2. Describe your organizations history, vision and mission - be succinct

  3. Provide the program overview in 1 paragraph - including intended outcomes and the budget

  4. Include a statement of need which describes the problem you are solving, why your project deserve to be funded, and how funding will make a difference in your work

  5. Explain how you will evaluate the program and how you will know if the program is a success. List specific activities.

  6. Provide a statement about the program budget. Here you might also include the cost per participant and additional funding sources expected or applied for. If the 100% of board members have contributed financially to the program, or the organization carries no debt or operating deficit you should include this information as well.

  7. Close by providing contact information, and offer to answer any additional questions. If you are including attachments, note them. Thank the funder for their consideration of your work.

LETTER OF INQUIRY TEMPLATE

  • Purpose. The purpose, or mission, of the organization.

  • Organization Profile. What it is and what it does.

  • Organizational Strategy. The approach the organization uses to achieve its mission (high level only, details not required).

  • Population Served. The primary persons served by the organization and their need for services (what problems you address).

  • Program Description. Snapshot of the program for which you seek support—what it seeks to achieve, for whom, and how.

  • Outcomes. What outcomes the program achieves for the persons served—changes in behavior, skill, knowledge, attitude, or situation.

  • Use of Funds. The exact purpose for which funds would be requested.

  • Contact Person. The name and contact details for the person who would submit a Grant Proposal, if approved (the Foundation will respond to this person and copy the author of the Letter of Inquiry, if different).

  • Website. The organization’s website, or the program’s if it has a separate site.

Storytelling Template

As nonprofit leaders we are one of our organizations key representatives - a cheerleader for our teams, and an advocate for the people we serve. As nonprofit leaders we are developing strategies to address lack and celebrating every win. We have to be prepared to communicate a powerful and compelling stories about the need in our communities and our readiness to provide solutions.

Storytelling is how most people are introduced to our organizations. Our websites, social media, videos, proposals and presentations should all tell a consistent story about who we are, what we're doing, who we're doing it for, and what we hope to achieve. Storytelling motivates staff and partners to give their best effort and share our stories with others.

STORYTELLING TEMPLATE AND SAMPLE

Title: No Stones Movement is Connecting Young Adults Ready Serve and Lead in Atlanta Georgia

Who We Are: No Stones Movement is an educational nonprofit based in Atlanta, GA

What We're Doing: Offering Mentorship, Service-Learning and Career Training Opportunities

Who We're Doing It For: Young Adults Ages 18-25 in Atlanta, GA

What We Hope To Achieve: Students who participate in the program will:

  1. experience improved relationship building and leadership capabilities

  2. contribute to community service in a mindful and meaningful way

  3. acquire new knowledge and skills in preparation for college and career opportunities

Participant Narrative: Mellitia is a graduate of TSK Preparatory Academy. In the summer before college she wanted to connect with her peers to serve in her neighborhood, and learn what it takes to organize and lead important projects. She joined the Seeds Connect Volunteer Club to show her community love, improve her resume and have some fun! Continue the story...

Call to Action: What do you want people to do after reading or hearing your message? Donate, Volunteer, Register, Connect on Social Media

Program Overview Template

A nonprofit program is a set of activities and resources to provide a service. It is a system with inputs, processes, outputs, outcomes and feedback.

  • Inputs: resources needed to run a program

  • Processes: how services are delivered

  • Outputs: what is produced, delivered or supplied with numerical value

  • Outcomes: the impact or result of service delivery

  • Feedback: performance data and reporting to evaluate the program

PROGRAM OVERVIEW TEMPLATE

  • Target Population: define the age range, race, gender, location and socio-economic status of those you serve.

  • Participants: what else can you say about program participants characteristics, needs and interests?

  • Reach: what the maximum number of students your program will serve?

  • Duration: how long is your program in hours, days or months?

  • Frequency: how often will you meet with participants?

  • Program Content: what documents and materials are required to run the program?

  • Program Deliverables: what will participants deliver, produce or create during the program?

  • Program Impact: how will you define success and measure program outcomes?

  • Program Partners: what external organizations or individuals will assist with the program?

  • Human Resource Requirement: what internal role(s) will support this program?

  • Financial Resources Requirement: what is the total annual cost of the program?

  • Cost Per Participant: what is the total cost of the program divided by the number of participants?

Student Interns for Your Nonprofit

Colleges and universities are a great resource for nonprofit organizations seeking a little extra support. Most post-secondary institutions have intern programs designed to provide students with work experience. Students usually receive credit for the work time, and a stipend is optional.

Contact the placement office at local colleges or universities to find out about the position description positing and other requirements.

Be prepared to provide:

  • organizational summary

  • length and time commitment

  • stipend (if applicable)

  • position description

  • required qualifications

  • contact information


SAMPLE POSITION LISTING | JOB DESCRIPTION

Overview

ABC Education Organization works with schools to educate for a healthy tomorrow. We accomplish this through curriculum support and professional development for teachers. ABC Ed is seeking part-time interns to join our organization with our work in 4 main areas of support, including: program, fundraising, research and storytelling.  Interns are asked to commit to at least 3 months of work with us and contribute 5-15 hours a week on a weekly basis. Positions may be remote or hybrid - to be discussed.

  • Program Support:  Interns assisting with program support will help us with planning and preparing for our programs.  This includes helping with coordination, recruitment, on-going correspondence, via email and phone, and logistical planning.  Interns will assist in writing and editing program documents and conducting some follow-up and evaluative research. Program Interns will work closely with our Program Manager and the Director of Education and Research to put together resources, as needed for on-going programs.

  • Fundraising Support:  Interns assisting with fundraising will help up to update our database with regards to potential organizations for partnership.  Interns will work closely with our Director of Development to conduct on-line research and determine alignment of mission and program areas as needed.  Another important task is making sure that the funder database is up to date.  This internship may include helping to support events and fundraisers.

  • Research Support:  ABC Ed has on-going research opportunities for interested interns.  One primary area of research includes the ongoing documentation and assessment of participant data.  Research Interns will work with the Director of Education and Research to help develop and analyze tools that will help us to better analyze and document our programs. 

  • Storytelling Support: Another growing area of research for us includes conducting semi-structured interviews (approximately 1 hour each) with clients, and program attendees, and school and community leaders to better understand the value of our work and document program impact. Interns will also transcribe and edit interviews and help to compile stories for our journal.

If you are interested in interning with the ABC Ed please send your resume and a cover letter referencing which areas of interest and your availability for each project: Please send inquiries to Leah Mason, Program Director leah@ abc-ed.org.

Describing Your Nonprofit

Vision: Big Picture
What the community will look like when the work is done

"Your vision statement expresses the impact you hope to make. When writing your vision statement consider “What is the impact I hope to make in 5 years? In 10 years? It should be a big, and almost unattainable goal."

Mission: Action Statement
What we do, who we do it for, and how we do it

"Your mission statement should focus on the why behind your brand. It states the principles of your company and communicates how you are actively meeting your objectives."

Values: Guiding Beliefs
What principles are important to the organization

"Organizational values are the guiding beliefs and principles that provide an organization with purpose and direction. They help nonprofits manage their interactions with the people they serve and other stakeholders."

Values state what is important to the organization, they inform the culture and dictate behavior.

EXAMPLE: DevoCenter Value Statement

We value and promote innovation, professional excellence and compassionate service. We believe that through professional service-learning women will be both inspired and prepared to serve and uplift fellow citizens, and we’re most excited about encouraging deep reflection on love, leadership and learning in our communities

EXAMPLE: Bayhealth Values List

Bayhealth is the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in central and southern Delaware. Its mission is to bring the nation’s best healthcare to the communities it serves, and this is reflected in their core values:

  • Compassion: We are kind and caring to everyone we encounter.

  • Accountability: Each of us is responsible for our words, our actions, and our results.

  • Respect: We value everyone and treat people with dignity and professionalism.

  • Integrity: We build trust through responsible actions and honest relationships.

  • Teamwork: We achieve more when we collaborate and all work together.

Ten Examples of Company Core Values

  • Integrity. Acting with strong ethics is a priority for everyone representing the organization as well as the company’s behavior as a whole.

  • Honesty. It’s not just the best policy. It’s a core business practice to act in a transparent, trustworthy manner that earns the respect of colleagues, customers, and the public.

  • Fairness. Treating everyone with the common decency we all deserve and expect.

  • Accountability. Accepting responsibility for your actions (and inactions) is the ultimate way to build trust internally and externally.

  • Promise to Customers. Creating a great customer experience begins with staying true to the words we speak and the bonds we make.

  • Diversity and Inclusion. Organizations succeed by bringing different lived experiences and a range of backgrounds into a shared environment where everyone has equal opportunity.

  • Learning. No one has all the answers. A culture of humility and continuous learning is a bedrock principle of successful companies.

  • Teamwork. When people work together, they can create something greater than themselves as individuals.

  • Passion. Having a joy not just for the work itself but also the people around us, so that everyone can be bold, innovative, and creative.

  • Quality. Companies are judged by the craftsmanship of their products and services, so the highest standards must be maintained.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service


"Justice At Its Best Is Power Correcting Everything That Stands Against Love"

FULL QUOTE “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.” - Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This quote reminds us that love is the reason we take action, and the method of correction for whatever troubles us.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a defining moment each year when Americans across the country step up to make our communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. While Dr. King believed the Beloved Community was possible, he acknowledged and fought for systemic change. His example is our call to action.

Congressman John Conyers (MI) and Representative Shirley Chisholm (NY) submitted legislation for 15 years for a national holiday to honor the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

After years of opposition, legislation was passed in 1983 and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan to remember the civil rights leader on the 3rd Monday of January.

Senator Harris Wofford (PA) and Congressman John Lewis (GA) introduced the 'King Holiday and Service Act' to challenge us to transform MLK Day into MLK Day of Service. The legislation was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994.

King Day of Service is meant to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

Nonprofit Vocabulary

501(c)(3): refers to public charities and private foundations as defined by the IRS

501(c)(4): refers to social welfare and advocacy organizations as defined by the IRS

501(c)(6): refers to trade associations and business leagues as defined by the IRS

501(h) Election: an option for public charities (except churches) to measure their permissible lobbying activity using an expenditure test

Other types of nonprofits at charitynavigator.org


A

Accountability: the acknowledgment and assumption of responsibility for policies and decisions, including the obligation to be answerable for resulting consequences

Ad Hoc Committee: a temporary committee established to address a specific issue, not necessarily within a specific time frame

Advisory Council: a group created to advise and support an organization or its leadership also called advisory group, advisory committee, or advisory board; usually focuses on a specific issue, area of concern, or constituency

Advocacy: any behavior or action that speaks in support of, recommends, argues for, or otherwise defends or pleads for a cause, mission, or organization that benefits others

Affiliate: a chapter, an auxiliary group, or a branch of a parent organization

All Volunteer Organization (AVO): a nonprofit organization that is managed and governed by volunteers

Articles of Incorporation: an official statement of creation of an organization; it is filed with the appropriate state agency

Articles of Organization: a charter for an unincorporated organization

Association: a membership organization that may be incorporated or unincorporated

Audit: a formal review of financial and/or activities and legal transactions

B

Board Development: a process of building effective boards; from recruiting and orienting to engaging and educating board members, also includes rotations of board members to ensure a good fit with the organization’s governance needs Board member agreement a verbal or written statement of commitment to fulfill responsibilities as outlined in the board member job description

Board Member Matrix: a tool helping identify desired characteristics and gaps on a board

Board of Directors: governing body of a nonprofit or for-profit corporation; has specific legal and ethical responsibilities to and for the organization

Bylaws: the legal operating guidelines for a board

Bylaws Amendment: a formal change to the original bylaws of an organization; the bylaws themselves should outline amendment procedures

C

CEO: the chief executive officer; top staff position of a nonprofit organization or a for-profit company

Chair: in a nonprofit organization, the chief volunteer position, the elected leader of the board

Chapter: a member or affiliated organization of a federated organization

Charitable Contribution: a tax-deductible donation given to a nonprofit organization

Charity: a nonprofit organization providing a public service as defined by the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3)

Charter: the legal organizational document for a nonprofit; also known as the articles of incorporation or articles of organization; may also refer to a formal description of responsibilities assigned to a committee, a chapter, or an affiliate

Chief Executive: the top staff position of an organization, also called CEO or, in many nonprofits, executive director

Code of Conduct: the formal or informal ethical standards expected of every member of a group, whether board, staff, or member of a profession

Community Foundation: a foundation whose mission is to support a specific community

Confidentiality Clause: a policy defining unauthorized and improper disclosures of confidential information

Conflict of Interest: a situation in which the personal or professional concerns of a member of the board or staff may affect his or her ability to put the welfare of the organization before benefit to self or another party

Consent Agenda: a component of the meeting agenda that groups routine items and resolutions as one agenda item; does not require board discussion prior to the vote; requests for an item to be moved from the consent agenda to the regular agenda are automatically granted

Constitution: usually refers to the basic documents governing an organization’s purpose, structure, and governance

Consultant: an expert providing professional advice or services

Corporate Sponsorship: a relationship between a nonprofit and a company where the nonprofit receives monetary support, goods, or services in exchange for public recognition of the company

Corporation: a legal entity that exists in perpetuity until it is dissolved; a “fictitious person,” separate from its managers or governors, usually given the same rights and obligations as natural persons

D

D&O (Directors and Officers) Insurance: insurance that protects board members and top staff personnel from personal liability created by board decisions or actions

Determination Letter: an official notification by the IRS stating that a nonprofit is recognized as a tax-exempt organization

Development: a term used to describe all methods of obtaining funding or support for an organization

Disclosure: form a form on which board members annually detail personal and professional connections that could create a potential conflict of interest

Disclosure Requirement: regulations requiring nonprofits to share financial or other information with the public, defining IRS form 990 as a public document

Disqualified Person: includes organization managers and any other person (such as a board member) who, within the past five years, was in a position to exercise substantial influence over the affairs of the organization, also family members of the above

Dissolution of Nonprofits: the formal procedure by which a nonprofit ceases to operate or exist; involves filing with the state and distribution of assets

Diversity: diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, and it encompasses all the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another. It is all-inclusive and recognizes everyone and every group as part of the diversity that should be valued. A broad definition includes not only race, ethnicity, and gender — the groups that most often come to mind when the term “diversity” is used — but also age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance. It also involves different ideas, perspectives, and values

Due Diligence: an expectation that a board member exercises reasonable care and follows the business judgment rule when making decisions

Duty of Care: requirement that board members be reasonably informed about the organization’s activities, participate in decisions, and do so in good faith and with the care of an ordinarily prudent person in similar circumstances

Duty of Loyalty: a requirement that a board member remain faithful and loyal to the organization and avoid conflicts of interest

Duty of Obedience: a requirement that a board member remain obedient to the central purposes of the organization and respect all laws and legal regulations

E

Emeritus status: an honorific title usually given to a former board member who is invited to stay on board as a nonvoting member in an advisory capacity

Endowment: a fund or collection of assets whose investment earnings support an organization, a specific project or purpose; may be legally restricted based on stipulations made by donor(s)

Ex Officio: “by reason of their office”; a person serving on a board due to his or her position rather than through elections, may or may not include voting rights

Excess Benefit Transaction: a transaction in which an economic benefit is provided by a nonprofit, directly or indirectly, to a disqualified person, and the value of the economic benefit provided by the organization exceeds the value of the consideration (including the performance of services) received by the organization

Excise Tax: a tax issued by the IRS on nonprofits that violate specific regulations

Executive Committee: a committee that has specific powers, outlined in the bylaws, which allow it to act on the board’s behalf when a full board meeting is not possible or necessary

Executive Session: a meeting of a board in which only board members and individuals specifically invited by the board are present; governed by rules of confidentiality

F

Federated Organization: an organizational structure composed of an umbrella organization (national or regional) with smaller local chapters

Fiduciary Duty: a responsibility of board members and the nonprofit board as a whole to serve as trustee of the organization’s assets on behalf of the greater community; responsibility for financial viability and proper handling of financial matters

Form 990: an annual information form submitted to the IRS, a public document listing information concerning an organization’s finances and programs, as well as names of board and highest paid staff leaders

Form 990-PF: an information form for private foundations to be filed with the IRS

Form 990-T: a financial form for organizations who must pay unrelated business income tax

Form 1023: an application form for nonprofits that want to be recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization

Form 1024: an application form for nonprofits that seek tax-exempt recognition as any other type of 501(c) than a 501(c)(3) organization

Foundation: a tax-exempt nonprofit organization operating under more stringent IRS regulations than other 501(c)(3) organizations; may be designed to collect and distribute funds for nonprofit purposes or may operate its own programs

Fundraising: a wide variety of activities that help generate donations for an organization

G

Governance: the legal authority of a board to establish policies that will affect the life and work of the organization and accountability for the outcome of such decisions

Governance Committee: a committee responsible for recruiting, orienting, and training of board members; may also be responsible for periodic bylaws reviews

Grant Funding: provided to an organization through a foundation or government source for a specific purpose

I

Inclusion: authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities, and decision/policy making in a way that shares power2

Incorporation: a legal process through which a group is created and recognized by the state as an entity separate from the individuals who manage or govern it; limits individual responsibility for actions of the group

Indemnification: a guarantee by an organization to pay board members’ legal costs for claims that result from board service

Intermediate Sanctions: IRS regulations creating penalties for nonprofit board members and staff who receive or authorize an excessive benefit transaction

L

Lobbying: attempting to influence legislation through direct contact with lawmakers or with constituents

M

Membership organization: a nonprofit that grants its members specific rights to participate in its internal affairs and/or to receive certain benefits in return for payment of membership dues

Merger: combining two or more organizations into one

Micromanagement: this usually refers to a manager who is paying too much attention to details and is not focusing on the big picture; also refers to boards that stray into management and fail to respect the authority delegated to the chief executive

Mission: the fundamental purpose and reason for which an organization exists

Mission Statement: a brief description of the organization’s approach to filling the need it was created to address

N

Nonprofit Organization: a nongovernmental organization established for purposes other than profit making

Nonprofit Sector: includes organizations that are independent from government and not part of the for-profit business sector

Not-for-Profit Organization: a term emphasizing that while the organization’s purpose is not private profit making, its programs may make a profit for the organization in order to safeguard its future ability to serve its public benefit mission

O

Officer: a leadership position with a specific set of responsibilities; on a board typically refers to the chair, vice-chair, secretary, or treasurer

Open Meeting Laws: also called “Sunshine Laws”; state regulations that require government agencies and some nonprofit organizations receiving public funding to open at least some of their board meetings to the public

Operational Reserves: a reasonable buffer against unforeseen, seasonal, irregular, or exceptional cash shortages

Orientation: educating participants on their roles, responsibilities, their organization, and how the board works

P

Policy: a written and binding guideline for action; creates limits on the range of acceptable options

President: a term used to describe either the chief volunteer officer or the chief staff officer of an organization

Private Inurement: benefits received by an insider with sizable influence over a nonprofit organization’s decisions when benefit is of greater value than service provided

Public Support Test: an IRS regulation used to determine whether a nonprofit organization is a private foundation or public charity; involves determining the source of the majority of funding for the organization

R

Racial Equity: racial equity is the condition that would be achieved if one’s racial identity no longer predicted, in a statistical sense, how one fares. When we use the term, we are thinking about racial equity as one part of racial justice, and thus we also include work to address root causes of inequities not just their manifestation. This includes elimination of policies, practices, attitudes and cultural messages that reinforce differential outcomes by race or fail to eliminate them

Retreat: an event where the board or staff meet to learn about or explore specific issues; examples include strategic planning, orientation, or self-assessment; is usually longer than a regular meeting, often off-site and informal in nature

Robert’s Rules of Order: a parliamentary procedure used to conduct meetings

S

Secretary: an officer position that involves taking minutes and keeping records and archives of the board; duties are often delegated to staff

Self-Assessment: a process by which boards and/or board members evaluate their own performance

Staggered Terms: an organizational structure where board members’ terms expire in alternating years

Sunshine Laws: also called open meeting laws; state regulations that require government agencies and some nonprofit organizations that receive public funding to open at least some of their board meetings to the public

T

Tax-deductible Donation: a donation in which the donor can deduct the amount of the donation from his or her taxable income

Term Limits: a restriction on the number of consecutive terms that a person can serve as a board member

Service-Learning Vocabulary

Service: the action of helping or doing work for someone.

Learning: the acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or presentation.

Service-Learning is form of experiential education where learning occurs through a cycle of action and reflection as leaders seek to achieve real objectives for the community and deeper understanding and skills for themselves. Vanderbilt University

Professional Service-Learning is an approach to adult-education that links service-leadership and project management to deep inquiry and reflection. It's a process for nonprofit and community leaders who want to learn, participate and lead to improve conditions in their neighborhoods. DevoCenter Inc.

A

Action: the process of doing something to achieve a goal.

Action Plan: a detailed strategy outlining activities needed to reach one or more goals.

Advocate: a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause.

Advocacy: the process of creating awareness of or promoting action on an issue of public service.

Assessment: an ongoing process to evaluate performance and measure program, project or organizational progress to goal, in order to adjust and set future targets.

B

Brand Narrative: a concise, streamlined story that acts as the platform for an organization's marketing and communications. Brandeis University

C

Collaboration: the ability to work with others towards a common goal.

Community: a group of people connected by geography, culture, situation, and/or need.

Community Partnership: an association of two or more people or entities who agree to work together for mutual benefit.

Community Resources: people, funds, and goods available to participants in order to carry out their plan of action.

Community Service: a voluntary act that benefits others.

Community Service Leader: someone who organizes and guides others, facilitates problem-solving and decision-making, and takes action to benefit their neighborhood.

D

Documentation: Evidence of performance or learning.

E

Education for Sustainability: a transformative learning process that promotes an understanding of the relationship between economic prosperity, responsible citizenship and the health of living systems. EfS links this knowledge with inquiry and action to help leaders build a healthy future for their communities and the planet. The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education

Evaluation: a periodic look at a program inputs and outputs to see how successfully it is achieving its goals.

F

Feedback: a response to a particular portion of the project.

I

Impact: a strong effect on someone or something.

Inquiry: an act of asking for information, requiring leaders to engage in active learning by generating questions, seeking answers, and exploring complex ideas.

L

Leadership: the action of guiding a group of people or an organization.

Learning by Teaching: helps leaders comprehend and deepen new knowledge by preparing a presentation for stakeholders.

M

Meaningful Service: time spent impacting the community in a positive way, with an understanding of purpose and personally relevant activities.

Mindfulness: maintaining an awareness of our intentions, thoughts, and feelings from a position of curiosity and kindness.

O

Outcomes: changes that occur as a result of actions.

P

Project: an undertaking, carried out individually or collaboratively and possibly involving research or design, that is planned to achieve an outcome.

Project Management: the process of leading the work of a team to achieve all goals with available resources.

R

Reflection: a thoughtful, serious looking back at one's experiences, individually or as a group, as part of future planning.

S

Self-Reflection: contemplation about one’s personal values, mindsets, behaviors, and desires.

Servant Leadership: is a leadership philosophy, embedded in a set of behaviors and practices that place a primary emphasis on the well-being of those being served. Center for Servant Leadership

Socratic Method: a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presuppositions.

Stakeholder: an individual or entity who is invested in or impacted by the outcome of a program or project.

Storytelling: the interactive art of using words and actions to reveal the elements and images of a story while encouraging the listener’s imagination. National Storytelling Network

For North Carolina Nonprofits

Starting a Nonprofit

North Carolina Center for Nonprofits
How to Start a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization Resource Booklet (PDF)

Harbor Business Compliance
This guide will help you file nonprofit formation documents, get tax id numbers and exemptions, and obtain authority to solicit donations

Do Work That Matters
501c3 help and legal support from attorney Jackie Stanley
Download Your First 100 Days - 21 Things Nonprofit Founders Need to Do

Nonprofit Support

Candid Learning: North Carolina
Explore easy-to-use resources, up to date information and guidance to support confident decision-making for social good

North Carolina Center for Nonprofits
The Center’s mission is to educate, connect, and advocate for North Carolina's nonprofits

Digital Media Law Project
A list of organizations that provide nonprofit legal assistance to organizations in North Carolina

Apparo: Empowering Nonprofits through IT
Transforming Charlotte nonprofits through technology and services that enhance their missions. Apparo works to create a vibrant community of technology enabled nonprofits

Association of Fundraising Professionals: Charlotte Chapter
Provides members a monthly information and networking luncheon, mentoring, job postings and other resources

Build a Better Board: Executive Service Corps of the Triangle
Helping Triangle area nonprofits recruit board members, and providing resources on topics such as board responsibilities and engagement

Share Charlotte
Empowering nonprofits and helping people invest in their communities in ways that matter most to them. Provides networking opportunities and training classes

State Agencies

NC Department of State: Nonprofit Corporations
Nonprofit corporations in NC are created by filing articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State's office. This page answers basic questions about nonprofit corporations and links to a page with nonprofit forms

NC Department of State: Charitable Solicitations
Generally, any organization or person that intends to solicit contributions or hire a representative to do so in NC must first obtain an appropriate license from Charitable Solicitation

North Carolina Department of Revenue
State Taxation and Nonprofit Organizations Contains detailed information on various tax exemptions available to nonprofit organizations in North Carolina

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers an expanding collection of digital resources to help start and operate a business, create maps and reports, find demographic and marketing data and read about business and entrepreneurialism from experts

  • SimplyAnalytics: web-based mapping application that quickly creates professional-quality thematic maps and reports

Recommended Nonprofit Technology

Nonprofit founders, entrepreneurs and managers wear many hats. In addition to running programs, leaders have to be familiar with technology that supports productivity, communication, recruiting, financial management, marketing, grant opportunities and fundraising.

Here are the resources that we use to get things done with ease.

Productivity

TechSoup
Access donations and discounts on software, hardware, and tech services

Microsoft Office 365
Your place to create, communicate, collaborate, and get great work done

Google for Nonprofits
Be more collaborative, productive, and efficient with Google Workspace

Bookkeeping

Wave
Free accounting software for nonprofits

QuickBooks Online
Nonprofit accounting software solution

Gusto Payroll
Hire, pay, insure, and support your employees with Gusto's all-in-one people platform

CRM’s and Donor Management

Salesforce.org
Scale funding and increase operational effectiveness with Salesforce. Free or discounted for nonprofits.

Staff, Volunteer and Board Recruiting

Idealist
Connects people who want to do good with opportunities for action and collaboration.

Volunteer Match
Matches inspired volunteers and nonprofits to achieve remarkable outcomes.

Foundation List
A national job board for nonprofits. Connecting people to help create greater impact.

Create The Good
Connects nonprofits with volunteers ready to share their life experiences, skills and passions.

Design and Marketing

Canva
Create social media graphics, videos, logos, marketing materials and more

iContact
Easy email marketing for nonprofit organizations

Envato
Everything you need to get creative projects done

Elfsight
Ready-to-use website widgets to help increase sales, engage visitors, collect leads and more.

Adobe Creative Cloud
software used for graphic design, video editing, photography and more

Squarespace
Establish a presences and take donations with this website

Grant Databases

Foundation Directory by Candid
Grants database and grantmaker search tools

GrantStation
Grants database, tools and info to secure nonprofit funding

GrantWatch
Grants database for nonprofits and municipalities updated daily

Instrumentl
Grant discovery, research, and tracking in one place

Fundraising

Guidestar by Candid
Connecting donors and funders to nonprofit organizations

Grants.gov
Subscribe for funding opportunities and apply for federal grants

Dun and Bradstreet
Register your business to establish credibility with funders and partners

Giving Portals

Network for Good
Online giving and donor management software for nonprofits

Cybergrants FrontDoor
Claim your organization to access the hundreds of corporate giving portals

YourCause GrantsConnect
Manage grantmaking from online grant applications through payments

Benevity Causes Portal
Helping nonprofits access and become eligible for corporate giving

Introduction to Service-Learning (Infographics)

Service-Learning is form of experiential education where learning occurs through a cycle of action and reflection as leaders seek to achieve real objectives for the community and deeper understanding and skills for themselves. Vanderbilt University

Service Learning Supports for Students

Self Reflection

  • Personal Development

  • Critical Thinking

  • Social-Emotional Wellness

Community Love

  • Meaningful Service

  • Civic Engagement

  • Sense of Belonging

Academics

  • Learning Objectives

  • Knowledge & Skills Acquisition

  • STEAM Education

Service-Learning Stages

  • Reflect: examine thoughts, feelings and actions throughout the service-learning process

  • Investigate: identify and analyze a community concern, existing resources, personal interests, and individual readiness

  • Plan: design a service plan that describes the timeline, roles, responsibilities, goals and required resources, knowledge and skills

  • Take Action: engage in learning, provide community service, monitor progress and make adjustments

  • Evaluate: measure progress, evaluate impact and analyze effectiveness

  • Share: demonstrate the results of learning and the impact of service

  • Celebrate: honor the service team by recognizing their efforts and intention to improve the community


Types of Service

  • Direct Service is hands on help to people or the planet - like handing out meals or cleaning up a park.

  • Indirect Service is work performed separate from the people or cause supported – like fundraising or knitting blankets.

  • Research is finding out information in order to take action – like collecting scientific data or conducting surveys.

  • Advocacy is when you speak up for something you believe in – it could be live in a public setting, in-print or online.

Ready For Impact Workbook

Through the Mastermind Program we help educational nonprofit leaders explore and embrace the knowledge, skills and mindsets needed to manage sustainable businesses, deliver meaningful programs, and prepare for valuable partnership opportunities. This easy to use workbook is designed to help you organize and prepare for funding to achieve your mission.

Here you’ll find a series of prompts and exercises to help identify and articulate personal values, organizational goals, desirable leadership qualities, brand message, program impact, and partnership opportunities.

The guiding questions are perfect for individual reflection and journaling, and can be used for board planning and team visioning workshops. Once completed, you’ll have the rationale and language to begin conversations with funders and other stakeholders.

Each section of the workbook includes:

  • Big Idea: Explains what each essential is, why it’s important and how it helps build better nonprofits

  • Key Concepts: Includes important words and phrases

  • Prompts: Open-ended and provocative questions that inspire discovery of the big idea

  • Task: An activity that reinforces the big idea and supports development of an executive summary

  • Resources: Examples, templates, videos and other media that support the big idea

Free and Discounted Tools For Nonprofits

As a 501c3 your nonprofit organization is eligible for many free and discounted products and services to support business operations. Here are a few marketing and productivity tools that we use.

TechSoup supports nonprofits, charities, and libraries by providing access to donations and discounts on software, hardware, and services from major brands.

Google for Nonprofits provides access to Google products at no charge. Get the basic G Suite features and $10,000 per month for Search Ads. Reach more donors online. Be more collaborative.

Microsoft for Nonprofits helps your organization make a greater impact. Discover how Microsoft 365 can empower and achieve greater scalability for your nonprofit. Grow your nonprofit, get support, learn digital skills and increase productivity.

Canva for Nonprofits provides an easy way to create high-impact social media graphics and marketing materials. Register now to get Canva’s premium features for free.

iContact for Nonprofits knows which features matter most for driving donations and organizing volunteers. All qualifying 501c3’s receive a 20% discount and North Carolina nonprofits are eligible for a free account.

Adobe provides nonprofits with discounted subscriptions to Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator and more. Get a subscription through TechSoup.

Bloom’s Taxonomy Action Verbs

Bloom’s Taxonomy is a classification of verbs to help us describe observable knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors and abilities.

It’s a useful list of action verbs to help write learning objectives and program outcomes for proposals and reports.

Google Doc

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REVISED Bloom’s Taxonomy Action Verbs

DEFINITIONS
REMEMBERING
UNDERSTANDING
APPLYING
ANALYZING
EVALUATING
CREATE
Bloom's
Definition
Exhibit memory of previously learned material by recalling facts, terms, basic concepts and answers.
Demonstrate understanding of facts and ideas by organizing, comparing, translating, interpreting, giving descriptions, and stating main ideas.
Solve problems to new situations by applying acquired knowledge, facts, techniques and rules in a different way.
Examine and break information into parts by identifying motives or causes. Make inferences and find evidence to support generalizations.
Present and defend opinions by making judgments about information, validity of ideas, or quality of work based on a set of criteria.
Compile information together in a different way by combining elements in a new pattern or proposing alternative solutions.
Verbs
• Choose
• Define
• Find
• How
• Label
• List
• Match
• Name
• Omit
• Recall
• Relate
• Select
• Show
• Spell
• Tell
• What
• When
• Where
• Which
• Who
• Why
• Classify
• Compare
• Contrast
• Demonstrate
• Explain
• Extend
• Illustrate
• Infer
• Interpret
• Outline
• Relate
• Rephrase
• Show
• Summarize
• Translate
• Apply
• Build
• Choose
• Construct
• Develop
• Experiment with
• Identify
• Interview
• Make use of
• Model
• Organize
• Plan
• Select
• Solve
• Utilize
• Analyze
• Assume
• Categorize
• Classify
• Compare
• Conclusion
• Contrast
• Discover
• Dissect
• Distinguish
• Divide
• Examine
• Function
• Inference
• Inspect
• List
• Motive
• Relationships
• Simplify
• Survey
• Take part in
• Test for
• Theme
• Agree
• Appraise
• Assess
• Award
• Choose
• Compare
• Conclude
• Criteria
• Criticize
• Decide
• Deduct
• Defend
• Determine
• Disprove
• Estimate
• Evaluate
• Explain
• Importance
• Influence
• Interpret
• Judge
• Justify
• Mark
• Measure
• Opinion
• Perceive
• Prioritize
• Prove
• Rate
• Recommend
• Rule on
• Select
• Support
• Value
• Adapt
• Build
• Change
• Choose
• Combine
• Compile
• Compose
• Construct
• Create
• Delete
• Design
• Develop
• Discuss
• Elaborate
• Estimate
• Formulate
• Happen
• Imagine
• Improve
• Invent
• Make up
• Maximize
• Minimize
• Modify
• Original
• Originate
• Plan
• Predict
• Propose
• Solution
• Solve
• Suppose
• Test
• Theory
Anderson, L. W., & Krathwohl, D. R. (2001). A taxonomy for learning, teaching, and assessing, Abridged Edition. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Getting Started with Funding: Giving Portals

Educational Nonprofits provide learning opportunities and resources for individuals or communities. These organizations may provide educational programs, materials, or services. After-school programs, tutoring and mentoring programs, scholarship foundations, and organizations that provide educational resources for under-served communities are a few examples.

Our Grant Guide helps educational nonprofits find funders who want to support their work and community. It includes funders from foundations and corporations who support youth and young adult programming nationwide.

Finding funding for your nonprofit can be a daunting task. However, with a lot of preparation and a little guidance, your organization can partner with funders to deliver meaningful programs to those who need it most.

Recruiting Board and Staff

Nonprofit Compliance | Organizing Files Online

Here’s a list of documents that should be readily available to board members and prepared before you begin fundraising. Create a shared folder with the following:

Administrative

  • Original Incorporation Documents

  • Updates/Amendments to the Incorporation (Name or Changes)

  • Bylaws (signed by Board Members and dated)

  • Conflict of Interest Statement (signed by Board Members and dated)

  • 501c3 Application and or Documentation

  • IRS Determination Letter

  • Solicitation License (if applicable)

  • Proof of Lease Agreement/Ownership of Property (if applicable)

  • Insurance Certificate

  • Certificate of Good Standing

  • Board Meeting Minutes

Financial

  • Financial Reports

  • Operating Budget

  • Program Budgets

  • All Previous Award Letters

Program

  • Staff Resumes

  • Calendar of Events

  • Scope of Services

  • Annual Reports

  • Performance Reports

  • At least 3 Support Letters (Organization and Program)

  • Newsletter and/or Press Releases

Self Reflection

Self-Reflection is the ability to observe and evaluate our thinking, emotions, and behaviors. Articulating our personal values, mindsets, habits and desirable outcomes, helps us make better decisions and live more fulfilling lives. When we are operating in alignment with the vision we hold for our highest self, we are happier and can accomplish our goals with ease.

Self-reflection helps us manage our emotions and improve relationships with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, partners and all of nature. Here we will focus on self-reflection as it relates to our work and community service.

Meaningful Service

Meaningful Service is action that is both personally relevant and important to the community. When our programs reflect the vision we have for neighborhood improvement they tend to be more exciting, more rewarding and have a greater impact.

Participating in intentional service is a powerful experience that helps to maintain motivation, improve confidence and deliver effective community service programs. When the work is meaningful we become passionate and informed advocates for our causes and we’re able to describe a world made better because of our efforts.

Servant Leadership

Service Leadership is a management style and a process that prioritizes the greater good over individual interests. Nonprofit Service Leaders serve employees, program participants and the community with humility, intention and care. When considering service leadership the goal is to understand service as a leadership model and discuss its significance, characteristics and role in nonprofit management.

What distinguishes service leadership from other leadership models is the connection to community and the commitment to developing others holistically. It’s a compassionate approach to management that results in high morale, increased engagement, strong ethical standards for the organization, and the development of future leaders.