Nonprofits: Selected Information Sources

During its existence, a public charity has numerous interactions with the IRS – from filing an application for recognition of tax-exempt status, to filing the required annual information returns, to making changes in its mission and purpose. The IRS provides information, explanations, guides, forms and publications on all of these subjects – they are available through this IRS Web site. The illustration below provides an easy-to-use way of linking to the documents most charities will need as they proceed though the phases of their “life cycle." You can also view a graphical depiction of the chart, with links to our website.

The National Council of Nonprofits (Council of Nonprofits) is a trusted resource and advocate for America’s charitable nonprofits.

The Checklist provides a list of all the things that need to be done to set up the "office" part of a nonprofit.
The Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York (NPCC) serves as an umbrella membership and service organization for more than 1,500 nonprofits in New York City, Long Island and Westchester, including social service, arts, religious and advocacy groups – a spectrum as wide as the full range of “charitable” organizations defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Attorney General's Charities Bureau is responsible for supervising charitable organizations to protect donors and beneficiaries of those charities from unscrupulous practices in the solicitation and management of charitable assets. The Charities Bureau also supervises the activity of foundations and other charities to ensure that their funds and other property devoted to charitable purposes are properly used, and protects the public interest in charitable gifts and bequests contained in wills and trust agreements. The Bureau also maintains a registry of charities and fundraising professionals.