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Nonprofit Resources

This page is designed to link you with useful, high quality resources that can improve your work as a nonprofit leader and, ultimately, strengthen our Western North Carolina nonprofit sector. This list will continually grow based on suggestions and requests from site visitors (click here to access our input form).

What's New? +

Look for the + sign before a listing, which indicates recent additions to our nonprofit resources.

Nonprofit Resource List

An asterisk (*) following a listing indicates a local connection to Western North Carolina. The resources are listed by the following categories:

Note: Being included in this listing does not indicate endorsement of any specific resource by WNC Nonprofit Pathways.

General Resources for Nonprofits

North Carolina Center for Nonprofits *
The NC Center for Nonprofits serves as a statewide network for nonprofit boards and staffs, an information center on effective organizational practices, and an advocate for the nonprofit sector as a whole. They offer services directly to all sizes and types of 501(c)(3) nonprofits in all 100 counties of N.C. and we work closely with other local, state, national groups that assist nonprofits. Visit their website for Frequently Asked Questions about all aspects of nonprofit operations. Consider joining the NC Center to access excellent, ongoing information and support that can help strengthen your staff, board and organization. Membership information is available at their site.
Web: www.ncnonprofits.org

Alliance for Nonprofit Management
The national support organization for those who do capacity-building work and for nonprofits with a strong interest in capacity building. Offers members an online newsletter.
Web: www.allianceonline.org

Chronicle of Philanthropy
This national magazine on grants and giving has made its informative articles, a searchable guide to grants, and a host of other information available online. Some material is free, most requires a password.
Web: www.philanthropy.com

CompassPoint Nonprofit Services
A California-based nonprofit consulting and training organization providing management tools to help nonprofits best serve their communities.
Web: www.compasspoint.org

Duke Nonprofit Management Program *
WNC Partners for Nonprofit Success hosts courses each fall and spring in conjunction with the Duke University Nonprofit Management Program. Participants may earn a certificate in nonprofit management or simply take the classes to strengthen their knowledge and skills. In addition to these courses, Duke offers an annual Leadership Institute and a new Advanced Leadership Program.
Web: www.learnmore.duke.edu/certificates/nonprofit/

Free Management Library
Extensive resource bank of information from a wide variety of sources on more than 100 topics of interest to nonprofits. Documents include useful and easy-to-understand definitions, process guides, and templates. Compiled and maintained by Carter McNamara.
Web: www.managementhelp.org/

Guidestar
National database providing access to IRS 990 reports on nonprofits, plus other information of use to donors and others researching an organization's activities, leadership, and finances.
Web: www.guidestar.org/

Internet Nonprofit Center
A global directory of nonprofit-related information, including nonprofit organizations, consultants, products, services, publications, and events. Includes nationwide listings of jobs and internships.
Web: www.idealist.org/tools/tools.html

Nonprofit Resource Center - Asheville *
In partnership with Pack Memorial Library, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina offers a Nonprofit Resource Center that includes reference and circulating materials with extensive information on funding sources and organizational management issues. The Nonprofit Resource Center is a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center and is located in the reference section of Pack Library, 67 Haywood Street, in downtown Asheville. Public parking is available in the adjacent Civic Center deck. The library is open many evenings and weekends. Contact Pack Library for hours of operation (828) 255-5203.

Philanthropy Journal
Articles and updates on the range of topics related to philanthropy, fund development and nonprofits. Has special section on North Carolina plus regular e-newsletter.
Web: www.philanthropyjournal.org/

Boards/Governance

Board Cafe
Free monthly electronic newsletter written for Board members and Executive Directors, a service of CompassPoint.
Web: www.boardcafe.org/

Board Source
Formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards; a resource for practical information, tools and best practices, training, and leadership development for board members of nonprofit organizations.
Web: www.boardsource.org

Center for Creative Leadership
CCL seeks to advance the understanding, practice and development of leadership for the benefit of society worldwide. Publications and an online newsletter are available.
Web: www.ccl.org

+ The Complete Board Toolkit
Excellent toolkit for boards created by the Free Management Library. Resources include: advice, articles, tools, templates, guides, and legal information.
Web:www.managementhelp.org/boards/boards.htm

The Consent Agenda - a tool for improving meetings

Communications

Benton Foundation's Best Practice Toolkit
Tools to help nonprofits make effective use of communications and information technology.
Web: www.benton.org/publibrary/toolkits/thinkthru.html

+ Communications Toolkit for Nonprofits
Excellent toolkit from Cause Communications on strategic marketing, advertising, branding, media relations, event planning and more. Resources include: tips, templates and strategy outlines. Winner of 2006 Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communications.

Web:www.causecommunications.org/clients-cause.php

+ Nonprofit Communications
Excellent blog with tips, ideas and advice in nonprofit communications, publications, marketing and PR. Resources include: articles, tip sheets, e-newsletter, web feed, e-courses, external links and a plethora of sub-category articles.
Web: www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog/

Evaluation

Basic Guide to Outcomes-Based Evaluation
Excerpted from the managementhelp.org site, this is a step-by-step resource including definitions and process tips, all designed for nonprofits without large resources.
Web: www.managementhelp.org/evaluatn/outcomes.htm

Evaluation Handbook and Logic Model Development Guide
W. K. Kellog's Evaluation Handbook includes a focus on the development and use of the program logic model. Both documents are available at the Kellogg Foundation website (caution: these are large downloads).
Web:
Evaluation Handbook
Logic Model Guide

+ Innovation Network/Point K
Nonprofit evaluation and assessment support organization. Resources include: assessment and planning tools, consultation, articles, advice, personalized information, newsletter, and training.
Web: www.innonet.org/

Participatory Evaluation
Article on how this approach can enhance the effectiveness and credibility of nonprofit work. Excerpted from Nonprofit Quarterly, Spring 2004 issue.
Web: nonprofitquarterly.org/content/view/89/28/

Financial Management

Audit Committee Toolkit for Nonprofits
Web-based resources from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) help audit committees, internal auditors, and others execute corporate governance. Includes 20 tools that can be downloaded at no charge, e.g., an audit committee self assessment, sample RFP for CPA services, internal control, and evaluating the auditors.
Web: charitychannel.com/publish/templates/?a=5546&z=26

Checklist for Accountability
Actions every charitable organization can take to strengthen transparency and accountability
Web:
www.independentsector.org/issues/accountability/Checklist/index.html

Emergency Preparedness Plan Template
The Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York created a template that any nonprofit can use to start their own emergency preparedness plan. It includes planning for natural disasters, server crashes, building closures and more, and is downloadable at no charge.
Web: www.npccny.org/info/disaster_plan.htm

+ Nonprofit Risk Management Center
Nonprofit risk management support organization. Resources include: articles, links, software, newsletter, assessment and planning tools.
Web: www.nonprofitrisk.org/

Fund Development

Association of Fundraising Professionals - WNC Chapter *
The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Western North Carolina Chapter (AFP WNC), is a nonprofit organization that promotes and serves the fundraising professionals in our region. AFP WNC offers excellent educational and professional development events, including the annual Summer Philanthropy Institute and regular lunch-time speakers on topics of interest to the field.
Web: www.afpwnc.org/

The Foundation Center
Digest of fundraising news, grantmaker information, an online library, and a marketplace of fundraising-related books, CD-ROM's, online tutorials, and seminars. Also houses the Foundation Center grants directories, conducts research on philanthropy, and more.
Web: www.fdncenter.org/

Funders List - Maintained by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina*
This single source includes a description and web address for over 50 funding organizations that give to nonprofits serving Western North Carolina. The Community Foundation updates the list annually with contact information, deadlines, and interest areas for the funding organizations (download in Word or PDF format).

Grassroots Fundraising Journal
The Grassroots Fundraising Journal website featuring experienced development guru Kim Klein offers practical, how-to instruction on fundraising strategies such as direct mail, special events, major gift campaigns, and online fundraising.
Web: www.grassrootsfundraising.org/

+ Network for Good
Fundraising support organization that aims to increase fundraising effectiveness through technology. Resources include: online fundraising tools and strategies, technology frequently asked questions, and volunteer recruitment assistance.
Web: www.networkforgood.org/npo/

Operations

Document Destruction and Retention Policy - best practices on what to save, with timetables

TechSoup
Technology resource aimed at nonprofit organizations featuring NPO discounts, discussions, articles, and recommendations.
Web: www.techsoup.org/

Planning

Nonprofit Ventures - Yale School of Management/Goldman Sachs Partnership
The Resource Center provides cutting edge research and business tools to nonprofit organizations interested in commercial ventures, including access to the latest research on nonprofit enterprise; how-to guides; publications and articles; case studies; profiles of business ventures; conferences, courses and workshops; a calendar of events; and more.
Web: www.ventures.yale.edu/aboutresourcecenter.asp

+ Planning
Free Management Library's webpage for planning support, questions and resources.
Web: www.managementhelp.org/plan_dec/plan_dec.htm

Strategic Planning overview
Alliance for Nonprofit Management answers key questions from What is strategic planning? to how to prepare for planning, and if and how to use a consultant.
Web: www.allianceonline.org/FAQ/strategic_planning

Public Policy and Advocacy

+ Alliance For Justice
Advocacy support organization that strengthens the advocacy capacity of nonprofits. Resources include: technical assistance, workshops, publications, a lawyer and accountant network, and a wealth of tools and information.
Web:www.allianceforjustice.org/nonprofit/index.html

+ Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest
Nonprofit advocacy and lobbying support organization. Resources include: tutorials, FAQ, publications, links, and resource center.
Web: www.clpi.org/

+ Nonprofit Congress
"Many Missions, One Voice." Coalition of nonprofits, including MANP, whose three priorities are 1) to increase organizational effectiveness through accountability and best practices, 2) to advocate for the sector at large and promote grassroots community activities and 3) to increase public awareness, understanding and support of the sector. Visit the website to join, contribute or find out more.
Web: www.nonprofitcongress.org/

+ Toolkit for Building Advocacy Capacity
Comprehensive toolkit from the National Council for Nonprofit Associations (NCNA) for fully assessing and building advocacy capacity in a nonprofit organization. This NP Action webpage gives a toolkit summary and provides a link to the full toolkit.
Web:www.npaction.org/article/articleview/751/1/241