THE NONPROFIT HANDBOOK

Everything You Need to Know to Start and Run Your Nonprofit Organization

Sixth Edition

by Gary M. Grobman 

The Nonprofit Handbook, Sixth Edition is the most up-to-date and useful publication for those starting a nonprofit or for those already operating one. This Handbook is based on The Pennsylvania Nonprofit Handbook, a book originally published in 1992 with the help of more than two-dozen nonprofit executives and attorneys and now in its 8th edition. Each easy-to-read chapter includes a synopsis, useful tips, and resources to obtain more information. This essential reference tool includes:

•  Information about current laws, court decisions, and regulations that apply to nonprofits—two full pages devoted to each state and the District of Columbia

•  Practical advice on running a nonprofit, including chapters on grant-writing, communications, fundraising, quality management, insurance, lobbying, personnel, fiscal management, nonprofit ethics, and 24 other chapters

•  Information on applying for federal and state tax-exempt status

•  How to write effective grant applications

•  How to hire and fire

•  Internet resources for nonprofits

•  How to develop a strategic plan

• How to plan for a program evaluation

We know you will find The Nonprofit Handbook to be an essential resource for every library’s reference collection.

"The Nonprofit Handbook is must reading. While it will have value as a reference tool to be consulted when needed, I highly recommend that you read the book cover-to-cover to familiarize yourself with the panoply of issues that face the modern nonprofit in every state of our United States."

Joe Geiger, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations

"Grobman’s Handbook has been a treasure. I have passed along copies to those with no knowledge of nonprofit organizations as well as those with lots of hands-on experience. Its usefulness lies in its practicality and accessibility… a great resource to have on your bookshelf!"

Pam Leland, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Seton Hall University

About the Author: Gary Grobman is a Ph.D. candidate in public administration at The Pennsylvania State University. He received his Master of Public Administration at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He is the author of The Pennsylvania Nonprofit Handbook, Improving Quality and Performance in Your Non-Profit Organization, and The Nonprofit Organization's Guide to E-Commerce. He is co-author of The Non-Profit Internet Handbook. He served as the executive director of a tax-exempt, non-profit organization for more than 13 years, and served in Washington, D.C. as a reporter and as a senior Congressional staff member to two members of Congress. He currently is the Harrisburg Contributing Editor for the monthly newsletter Pennsylvania Nonprofit Report, was a paid consultant to the Pennsylvania General Assembly on non-profit issues, and was the founder and Chairman of the Non-Profit Advocacy Network, a coalition of more than 60 Pennsylvania state-wide charitable associations which was formed to advocate for the interests of the voluntary sector.

He lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents (6th edition)

Foreword by Joe Geiger, Executive Director

PA Association of Nonprofit Organizations

Introduction

Quick Start Guide to Forming a Nonprofit Organization

Chapter 1. The Decision to Incorporate

Chapter 2. Steps to Incorporation

Chapter 3. Bylaws

Chapter 4. Nonprofit Boards of Directors

Chapter 5. Mission and Vision Statements

Chapter 6. Strategic Planning

Chapter 7. Nonprofit Organization Ethics

Chapter 8. Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status

Chapter 9. Liability, Risk Management, and Insurance

Chapter 10. Fiscal Issues

Chapter 11. Personnel

Chapter 12. Hiring, Evaluation, and Firing

Chapter 13. Volunteers

Chapter 14. Charitable Solicitation Registration

Chapter 15. Fundraising

Chapter 16. Writing Effective Grant Proposals

Chapter 17. Lobbying

Chapter 18. Political Activity by Nonprofits

Chapter 19. Communications and Public Relations

Chapter 20. The Internet for Nonprofits

Chapter 21. Nonprofit E-Commerce

Chapter 22. Fundraising on the Internet

Chapter 23. Forming and Running a Coalition

Chapter 24. Miscellaneous Administrative Issues

Chapter 25. Nonprofits and Small Business Competition

Chapter 26. State and Local Tax Exemptions

Chapter 27. Mergers and Consolidations

Chapter 28. Quality Issues

Chapter 29. Change Management

Chapter 30. Organization and Program Evaluation

Directory of State and National Organizations

State Directory

Appendix A—Sample Bylaws

Appendix B—New Year’s Resolutions for Nonprofit Executives

Appendix C—Sample Financial Reports from ARNOVA

Appendix D—About the Author

Appendix E—Reader Survey/Order Form

For Further Reading

Index