Starting and Running a Nonprofit
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Starting a Nonprofit
Starting a nonprofit organization is a lot like starting a business, but there are special considerations to take into account when you’re planning your organization. You’ll need information about becoming tax exempt, setting up a 501(c)(3), and preparing for the process of raising funds for your organization’s activities. Here are some resources geared for the needs of anyone forming a charity or other nonprofit corporation.
CCPL offers a number of online resources to make starting and running a nonprofit make sense. From the Small Business Reference Center that will help you understand how to start and run and nonprofit, to a series of books in our collection. You will need to use a valid CCPL Library Card to access this source.
There are also several local organizations that can help.
The Charleston Association of Grants Professionals is a networking organization focused on needs and interests of nonprofits and grant writers in the Charleston area. The CAGP meets monthly at the Main Library. Interested members of the public are invited to attend. TogetherSC, formerly the South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations, is a statewide membership organization and network with a mission to serve, support, and strengthen nonprofits in South Carolina. The organization holds a Nonprofit Summit each year.
Funding A Nonprofit
One of the most challenging aspects of running a nonprofit is grant seeking and proposal writing. As a Candid partner, Charleston County Public Library provides access to a number of helpful resources for researching grants.
Candid includes a wealth of data on grants and grant makers, plus training on how to search for and use this information. CCPL offers access to key tools including GuideStar and the Foundation Directory. Patrons can access GuideStar to research local nonprofits to support and to find services. Nonprofits and individuals seeking funding, scholarships, or fellowships can access the Foundation Directory to find and connect with funders.
Access to the GuideStar and the Foundation Directory is available in the library at all CCPL branches. The library offers free tutorials for individuals or groups that cover basic and advanced search techniques. For more information or to make an appointment, submit your request here.
