Resources for Nonprofits

Publications

A Guide for Nonprofit Organizations - General Charitable Organization Compliance
A Guide for Nonprofit Organizations - Employment Issues
A Guide to Being a Fiscal Sponsor: Is it a Good Fit for Your Organization?
Annual Reporting Requirements
Bankruptcy Issues: A Guide for Nonprofit Organizations
Bylaws Fact Sheet for Illinois Nonprofits
Chicago Land Use: A Guide for Communities
—> Chapter 1: Zoning Basics
—> Chapter 2: Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Dissolution of Illinois Not for Profit Corporations: A Guide
Fiscal Sponsorship FAQ
Is NPO the Way to Go?
Legal Structures for Social Enterprises
Steps to Dissolve and Illinois Not for Profit Corporation
Tax Issues for Exempt Organizations - A Primer
The City of Chicago's Nonprofit Lobbying Guide
Understanding Not for Profit Board Composition
*Not finding what you need? Try our archived resources page

Legal Alerts

Director Conflicts of Interest
Fiduciary Duties of Nonprofit Directors
Independent Contractor/Employee Relationships
Lobbying Restrictions for 501(c) (3) Charities
Political Activity of Nonprofit Organizations
Trademark or Not to Trademark
Unrelated Business Income Tax Updates to Chicago’s Sexual Harassment Laws Midterm Elections Political Activity Reminder for Nonprofits

Webinars

Advocacy By The Book Training Series
Legal and Compliance Issues for Grassroots Advocacy Organizations
Ins and Outs of Fiscal Sponsorship
Financial Management Basics for Grassroots Advocacy Nonprofits
Employment Issues Faced by Community Organizations

2018 Nonprofit Board of Directors Training Series
Nonprofit Board Responsibilities
Nonprofit Board Fiduciary Duties
Nonprofit Director and Officer Responsibilities
Nonprofit Board Conflicts of Interest
Nonprofit Board and Executive Director Relations
Nonprofit Board Recruitment and Orientation

Engaging Boards in Setting an Organization’s Strategic Direction
How to Get Pro Bono Legal Services for Your New Nonprofit

Other Organizations

Alliance for Justice has information on lobbying activities and 501(c)(3) organizations.

Arts & Business Council aids the Chicago nonprofit arts and culture community by enlisting business sector volunteers to provide arts organizations with assessment, training, consulting and board services that strengthen their management and marketing capacity.

BoardSource works to build effective boards of directors.

Charity Channel hosts online discussion groups and articles.

Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV) provides video training, equipment, facilities and channel time for Chicago residents and nonprofit groups.

Chicago Community Loan Fund provides low-cost, flexible financing and hands-on technical assistance to community development organizations for affordable housing, economic/commercial development, and community facility space.

Forefront gives workshops and resources for grants and grantwriting.

Executive Service Corps provides volunteer consultants to advise and strengthen nonprofit organizations and public agencies across the greater Chicago area in areas of governance, management and operations, leadership development, and organizational transformation.

Idealist – articles, workshops and other resources for nonprofits.

Illinois Secretary of State, Business Services – Online filing center for nonprofits and small businesses, and search to see whether an organization is in good standing (up to date on all filings and fees, etc.).

Internal Revenue Service – Tax information for Charities gives info about the “life-cycle” of a nonprofit organization, as well as IRS guidance and updates.

Illinois Attorney General, Building Better Charities maintains a database of all registered charities in Illinois – can search to see your organization’s registration status, and provides links to Filing Requirements, Registration and Annual Report Forms, Forming a Charitable Organization, etc.

SCORE Chicago serves nonprofits by providing free business/operations counseling, management consulting, and low-cost workshops.

Social Enterprise Alliance spreads knowledge and builds capacity regarding social enterprise, builds social enterprise communities and networks, gathers and disseminates information regarding the impact of social enterprise, and advocates and promotes supportive public policy for social enterprise.