Nonprofit Leadership

Connect with prospective board members and learn about current issues in nonprofit governance.

• BoardStrong
  BoardStrong’s mission is to advance the nonprofit sector and the impact of the work nonprofits do by supporting the achievement of the highest standards of board leadership, governance and oversight. We do this by providing nonprofit board recruitment and placement, board training, and consultation. We provide educational resources for organizations and individuals. Our online board recruitment platform connects organizations to talented and diverse board candidates from outside their networks.
• BoardSource
  BoardSource is dedicated to advancing the public good by building exceptional nonprofit boards and inspiring board service. BoardSource strives to support and promote excellence in board service, is the premier source of cutting-edge thinking and resources related to nonprofit boards, and engages and develops the next generation of board leaders.

Recruit volunteers for your next project, find examples of job descriptions, and get answers to your H.R. questions. 

Find Volunteers

• Points of Light 
  Points of Light Engage pulls volunteer opportunities from sites around the web to provide the most comprehensive database of volunteer opportunities around the world. Individuals can search for volunteer projects, nonprofits can post and manage event sign-ups, and visitors are invited to start projects of their own – all in one place.
• VolunteerMatch 
  VolunteerMatch is database of volunteer openings throughout the country. Simply create a profile, add your organization, and begin recruiting.

Human Resources for Nonprofits

• Nonprofit Job Description Toolkit 
  The Bridgespan Group's Nonprofit Job Description Toolkit is collection of sample job descriptions that show how some organizations configure their senior management roles and write their job descriptions for would-be candidates.

Read reviews of tech products, find on-demand training, and more.

• Tech Impact
  "We take care of your technology so you can focus on what matters most—your mission. Our technical experts and consulting team meet you where you are and can support a nonprofit's entire infrastructure. We can help you overcome almost any technology challenge."  Technology services and consulting, as well and nonprofit learning resources.
• TechSoup
  TechSoup is a professional community that provides information for technology professionals and connects nonprofits to experienced technology professionals.

Learn about trends in the nonprofit world and find up-to-date research to help your organization grow. 

• The Center for Effective Philanthropy 
  The Center for Effective Philanthropy publishes free research publications ranging across topics such as foundation staff satisfaction, CEO performance, and grant evaluation process.
• The Urban Institute's Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy 
  The Urban Institute Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy conducts research on and analyzes trends in the operations and finances of U.S. charitable organizations through data developed and maintained by its National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS) and other sources.

What is Form 990?

Form 990 is the annual return submitted by most tax-exempt organizations to the IRS as evidence of compliance with tax laws. There are different versions of the 990 form: 990, 990-PF, 990-EZ, and 990-N. An organization's type, gross receipts, and total assets determine which of these it is required to file. Note that churches and some church-affiliated organizations are exempt from filing.

The IRS's Form 990 Overview Course includes a detailed explanation of all 990-series forms and filing requirements. 

Unlike tax returns submitted by individuals, all 990 returns are public records. You can find copies of an organization's submitted 990 returns through the IRS's Tax Exempt Organization Search database, or through sites such as GuideStar or ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. 

What happens if an organization fails to file a 990?

Failure to file a 990 return for three consecutive years will result in the automatic revocation of an organization's tax-exempt status. Under some circumstances, organizations that have had their tax-exempt status revoked may apply for reinstatement. Please see the IRS's publication, Automatic Revocation of Tax-Exempt Status, as well as he Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits's white paper, Reinstating Your Nonprofit Status, for more information. Both of these documents are included as PDFs under Recommended Resources, below.   

How are 990s used by nonprofit organizations?       

A funder's 990 or 990-PF includes a complete list of grants awarded for that fiscal year. Grant seekers often use a public charity or foundation's tax returns to gain insight into its funding preferences, and to determine if it is worthwhile to apply for a grant with that organization. The Foundation Directory Online database provides detailed Funder Profiles that include information about a foundation or public charity's stated funding interests, as well as past projects funded. Funder Profiles are an informative, easy-to-read alternative to a 990 return. Contact the Research Center at rcaskus@tulsalibrary.org to learn more about how the Foundation Directory Online's Funder Profiles can help with your next grant application. 

Recommended Resources