Nonprofit News: Resources & Help from Your Library

This quarterly newsletter features nonprofit resources and services available at your library and beyond. Discover new books and online resources from the library as well as information about library partners and featured websites. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please share and encourage them to subscribe.

Visit Our Nonprofit Resources Page

Starting a Nonprofit

Several times each year we receive requests for information about starting a nonprofit. The library offers several resources that can get you started with the process; the first step is checking to see if you are ready to start a nonprofit. Start by taking Candid Learning’s webinar Is Starting a Nonprofit Right for You? and then take the Nonprofit Startup Assessment (login required to take the assessment). These resources should give a good idea of how ready you are to get going. Once you have watched the webinar and done the assessment check out some additional resources offered by Candid:

You will also want to research how to start a nonprofit in Oregon. The following resources provide the laws surrounding nonprofits in Oregon and the process for obtaining a 501(c)(3) designation.

Finally, as always, the library offers books on starting and running a nonprofit. These two selections offer great advice on getting your nonprofit going:

Starting & Building A Nonprofit: A Practical Guide by Peri Pakroo
How to Form A Nonprofit Corporation: A Step-by-step Guide to Forming A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit in Any State by Anthony Mancuso

If you are interested in learning more or talking about your idea, please complete a Book-a-Librarian request.

Around the Web

The Complete Guide to Building a Nonprofit Board

When you are starting a nonprofit is it important (and required) that you have a board. You want people who are invested in your cause, but there are some additional considerations to make as well. This short article reviews what it takes to create a successful nonprofit board.

Candid eBook Collection

Candid provides access to a free collection of nearly 1,000 eBooks and audiobooks covering all aspects of starting and managing a nonprofit. Get started here by creating an account. If you’ve used the Libby app for the library’s ebook collection, you will be very familiar with searching and borrowing materials

Nonprofit Quarterly is an online resource providing research-based articles for nonprofits about nonprofit management and governance. In addition, it covers a wide range of issues related to the operating environment for nonprofits—specifically, public policy, philanthropy, racial equity, and economic justice. Some content requires a subscription, but there is plenty available for free.

Book and Resource List - Nonprofit Resources

Looking for inspiration as you start, manage, and fund your nonprofit organization? Check out these books and selected web resources from the Deschutes Public Library. Follow the list and check back regularly for new resources and recommendations.

This month’s featured title is The Non Nonprofit by Steve Rothschild.

Thanks for reading. Please share with anyone you think would benefit from this information. If you have questions or suggestions about the nonprofit resources at your library, feel free to email Liisa Sjoblom, a Community Librarian who focuses on supporting Central Oregon nonprofits with their research needs: liisas@deschuteslibrary.org.