Level 1 of 5

Foundations

Everything you need to start, join, or strengthen a nonprofit organization. Legal structures, governance, financial basics, roles, and rules of engagement — the bedrock every leader needs.

5 chapters

22 lectures

1.1 Getting Started in the Nonprofit Sector

4 lectures ▼

1.1.1Nonprofit 101: Legal Structures, Tax-Exempt Status, and Getting Started

1.1.2Starting a Nonprofit Club: Legal Structure, Bylaws, and First Steps

1.1.3Nonprofit Fiscal Sponsorship: Everything You Need to Know

1.1.4State Charitable Registration: A 50-State Compliance Guide

1.2 Governance Essentials

5 lectures ▼

1.2.1Board Governance 101: What Every Board Member Should Know

1.2.2The Essential Policy Library: 15 Documents Every Nonprofit Needs

1.2.3Conflict of Interest Policies That Actually Get Used

1.2.4Robert's Rules of Order for Nonprofits: A No-Jargon Translation

1.2.5Annual Filing Requirements: Never Miss a Deadline

1.3 Organizational Structure & Roles

5 lectures ▼

1.3.1Club Leadership Roles and Responsibilities

1.3.2The All-Volunteer Board Survival Guide

1.3.3Committee Structures That Work

1.3.4Board vs. Membership Governance: Choosing the Right Structure

1.3.5Membership Governance Structures: Voting Rights, Bylaws, and Decision-Making

1.4 Financial Foundations

4 lectures ▼

1.4.1Nonprofit Accounting 101: Fund Accounting, Chart of Accounts, and GAAP Basics

1.4.2Choosing Accounting Software for Your Nonprofit

1.4.3The Nonprofit Financial Dashboard: Key Metrics Every Board Should See

1.4.4Nonprofit Insurance 101: What Coverage You Actually Need

1.5 Rules of Engagement

4 lectures ▼

1.5.1How to Write a Code of Conduct for Your Nonprofit Community

1.5.2Community Guidelines vs. Code of Conduct vs. Terms of Service

1.5.3Inclusive Community Guidelines: Writing Rules That Don't Accidentally Exclude

1.5.4Digital Conduct Policies for Nonprofit Staff and Board

Up next

Level 2: Community & People →

Build, engage, and sustain the people who power your mission.

Continue to Level 2 →