Non-Profit Resource Center

Dear Constituent:

Welcome to the 8th District's Non-Profit Resource Center. Non-profit organizations have a tremendous presence here in Northern Virginia, serving tens of thousands of families. The commitment of conscientious individuals and leadership of non-profit organizations working to improve the common good is what helps make our region not just such a great place to live, work and recreate, but also a community.

I appreciate your interest in supporting and working in the non-profit community. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of others.

Sincerely,

Jim Moran  

1. Informative Non-Profit Websites
2. Local Govt. Resources
3. Tech Review
4. Selected Reading Materials
5. Legal Info for Non-profits
6. How to Start a Non-Profit

Power Point Presentations

1. The Department of Labor
2. The Department of Education
3. National Endowment for the Humanities Guide
4. The Adminstration for Children and Families Guide

I. Informative Non-profit Websites:
GRANTS.GOV -- Offers resources helping non-profits apply and win grants from over 1,000 programs which consist of over $400 billion in federal grants. From their website you can find training materials, search for grants and sign up for newsletters and email alerts to specific grant programs.
The Foundation Center -- Maintains the nation's largest directory of private, philanthropic foundations. Material covering a topics ranging from fundraising to proposal writing are available on the site. 
Board Source -- Offers topic papers on how to build an effective non-profit board of directors. Includes downloadable e-books and a FAQ section with over 180 answers to questions non-profit managers face.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance -- A listing of federal programs available to all levels of government; public and private, profit and nonprofit organizations and other institutions and individuals.
Federal Assistance Award Data System -- Quarterly reports of standardized data on financial assistance awards made by federal agencies.
HHS GrantsNet -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources' comprehensive guide to the grants process.
National Congress of Non-Profit Associations: NCNA is the network of state and regional nonprofit associations serving over 20,000 members in 41 states and the District of Columbia. NCNA links local organizations to a national audience through state associations and helps small and midsize nonprofits: manage and lead more effectively; collaborate and exchange solutions; engage in critical policy issues affecting the sector; and achieve greater impact in their communities.
Northern Virginia Community Foundation: NVCF is the community foundation serving Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties. NVCF exists to build a stronger philanthropic community in Northern Virginia by growing community endowments, addressing community needs, and providing community leadership.
Nonprofit Legal Support Program:  The Fairfax Law Foundation and the Fairfax Bar Association support a vibrant and expanding civil pro bono program.  Volunteer lawyers, law students, and paralegals generously give their time to staff diverse projects.
Corporation for National and Community Service: the CNCS Resource Center is the best source for connecting service and volunteer organizations with targeted training and information.

II. Local Government Resources:

Arlington County Volunteer Office
Alexandria Volunteer Bureau
Volunteer Fairfax
Falls Church City Website
Local Foundation Centers:
Washington, DC
1627 K Street, NW, Third Floor
Washington, DC 20006-1708
202-331-1400
foundationcenter.org/washington
Chambers of Commerce:
Arlington Chamber of Commerce
Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
Falls Church Chamber of Commerce
Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce
Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce
Leadership Development Programs:
Future Executive Directors Fellowship:  Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington’s 12-month program combines six key elements to strengthen emerging leadership in the nonprofit community.  
Leadership Arlington
Leadership Fairfax

 III. Technology:

Non-Profit Technology Resource
Idealware: Non-Profit Software Review

V. Legal Information:

Charitable Organization Legal Details from the IRS
IRS Form 990 Redraft
IRS Form 990-N
Federal Agency Points of Contact:

VI. How to Start a Nonprofit:

There are many logistical and legal considerations involved in starting a nonprofit organization in Virginia. The below text and links should be helpful for you and your mission's success.
http://law.richmond.edu/nonprofit
This guide is broken into the following five chapters:
Chapter 1: BEFORE YOU BEGIN

• Before you Begin: Needs Assessment and Market Analysis
• Researching the community, discovering the community's needs, and making sure the community will sustain your organization.

Chapter 2: FORMING THE ORGANIZATION

• Forming the Organization: The By-Laws and the Board
• Determining your organization's structure

Chapter 3: 501(c)(3) STATUS AND FUNDRAISING ISSUES

• Tax, Lobbying and Fundraising: Non-Profit Status and Start-up Funding
• Applying for tax-exempt status and getting your organization off the ground.

Chapter 4: EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS

• Operating the Organization: Staff, Employees and Volunteers
• Running your non-profit: personnel issues.

Chapter 5: OPERATIONS AND GOVERNANCE

• Organizational Governance: Organizational Actors and Legal Duties
• Recognizing the legal obligations and duties of the non-profit's members

Needs Assessments and Reports:
A Needs Assessment of the Alexandria Human Services System
Annie E Casey Kids Count Data Center
Fairfax Study of Nonprofit Basic Needs Providers
Foundation Center’s TRASI: Tools and Resources for Assessing Social Impact
The Northern Virginia Community Foundation: A Portrait of Children in Northern Virginia 2010
Washington Post Giving Map with Links to Nonprofits Serving Our Community