How To Use This Guide

This guide is organized into five main sections, each addressing a critical stage in the lifecycle of a nonprofit organization: Foundational Steps: This section covers the essential elements needed to establish a strong nonprofit. It includes guidance on general nonprofit management, legal assistance, fiscal sponsorship, and building a board of directors. These components are crucial for creating a solid organizational foundation. Operationalizing the Organization: Once established, this section helps you bring your nonprofit to life. It focuses on establishing internal systems and controls, marketing your services, and accessing space. These elements are key to turning your mission into action. Securing and Managing Grants: Funding is vital for sustainability and growth. This section provides resources on fundraising, recruiting volunteers, managing government contracts, and accessing capacity-building grants. It aims to help you diversify your funding sources and effectively manage your resources. Program Evaluation and Reporting: To ensure your nonprofit is making a real impact, this section offers guidance on evaluation methods. It helps you measure your outcomes and communicate your success to stakeholders and funders. Additional Resources: This final section provides program-specific technical assistance, offering targeted support for various nonprofit specialties and sectors. Each section contains relevant subsections to help you quickly locate the specific information you need. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your existing nonprofit's capabilities, this guide is designed to support you at every stage of your organization's development. Each section contains relevant subsections to help you quickly locate the information you need. Disclaimer:  The Mayor's Office for Nonprofit Services (MONS) provides this guide for informational purposes only and does not endorse or sanction the advice of any listed capacity-building providers. Readers are responsible for conducting their due diligence and making informed decisions when choosing a provider. While we have prioritized the inclusion of free or low-cost providers, with items marked with an asterisk (*) available at no cost to city-funded nonprofits, users should contact providers directly for the most up-to-date and detailed information about their services and fees.