Customer Reviews

The Non-Profit Handbook: 1997-98 National Edition

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This handbook is good value for the money. It starts right from the stage where one is thinking about incorporating, and gives primers on the incorporation process, writing bylaws, choosing a board, effective and ineffective models of board governance, fundraising and strategic planning, grant-writing, the fiscal business you need to know about and stay on top of, and it even gives you a state-by-state rundown of the pertinent offices, laws, and other requirements.

Besides this, there are lean but meaty essays on corporate ethics, quality assurance, small business competition and the nonprofit sector, the pros and cons of coalitions, lobbying, and other political activity. (There is also a chaper in the second edition on the Y2K problem - entertaining reading now.)

This information is organized so as to be highly accessible and helpful, and not intimidating. Highly recommended for people who feel dwarfed by the realm of nonprofit management: Here are the basics. You can do it.

I am just beginning to plan and seek resources for my nonprofit. I started out with this resource and I was satisfied with the comprehensive data it presented on beginning a nonprofit - but in a general "forest-not-the-trees" sort of way. I was introduced to the immense task that starting a nonprofit can be, but I would recommend using this book with more detailed resources. One great thing about the book is the end of the book is dedicated to state requirements & contact addresses/numbers. Again, this book is quite general and it surely isn't everything you need to know, but it is a good starting guide on getting familiar with what is to come.

In my opinion this is a very good book to have to start you on your way with a nonprofit. I found the information helpful and it made a good resource for me to have in my library. Also recommended: Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Your Nonprofit Corporation by Ms. Cellaneous, The Unknown Attorney.

I have purchased several books on nonprofits. This is a decent general overview. There are better books out there!