Learn everything you need to know to start a nonprofit organization the right way, without an attorney.
Starting a nonprofit is hard enough. Getting it right the first time without an attorney is even harder! There are so many moving parts—complex rules and regulations and multiple government agencies to deal with. Not to mention, the landmines that no one tells you about up front that could come back to bite you years after your nonprofit has been in operation.
I can’t tell you how many nonprofit founders I have worked with who wished they were better equipped before they gave up their secure jobs to start a nonprofit. They would have liked to have known about things like, how to go about finding board members, the next steps they should consider after securing tax-exempt status and how they can stay compliant with state and federal laws.
--Valerie F. Leonard, Founder, Nonprofit Utopia, LLC
We Created the Course That Helps You Avoid
Common Mistakes That Founders Make.
Approximately 30% of nonprofits that start today will not be around in 10 years (National Center on Charitable Statistics). Although nonprofits fail for various reasons, the ones that don't succeed often start off on shaky ground. For example, their responses to questions on application forms may delay the approval process. Or, they may not be aware of certain forms to file until it's too late. Another common problem is they may not know the steps they should take while they are waiting for their applications for tax-exempt status to be approved. This course was designed to help you put your organization on solid footing from the start.
This course will give you the tools to:
-Successfully navigate complex government bureaucracies to put your organization on solid legal footing.
-Design a nonprofit organization that creates value for clients, communities and funders
-Use the money you would have spent on attorney fees to grow your nonprofit
-Confidently attract funders and other stakeholders to your cause.
-Lay the foundation for an organization that stands the test of time.
What You Get
New Nonprofit Roadmap
No more trying to figure out on your own, where to start, and where to go next. We will save you time, money and heartache by showing you, step by step, how to take your idea from concept to a fully compliant tax-exempt organization.
Founder-Centered Curriculum
We designed this course specifically for you, taking into account Valerie's experience as a founding executive director, and feedback from prospective nonprofit founders, who have similar aspirations and challenges as you. We will give you the tools you need to hit the ground running and avoid common mistakes other nonprofit founders have made trying to do everything on their own.
Document Review
We all know that it is super hard to proofread our own writing. We tend to read what we meant to write, rather than what we write. Valerie will read your documents before you send them off, so you can rest comfortably knowing that your applications and filings meet government agency guidelines.
Workbooks and Worksheets
You will get workbooks and worksheets to help support your learning and development process.
Answers To Your Questions
Valerie will monitor the course comments and respond to your questions and comments.
Bi-Weekly Check-In
Valerie will host bi-weekly group coaching sessions to answer questions via Zoom, help you stay on track and provide hands-on technical assistance.
Complete all of these exercises in 90 days and lay a solid foundation for your new nonprofit.
Course Curriculum Excerpts
