Apply and enroll in this paid week-long in-person course for nonprofit leaders to drive strategic growth and greater impact. Participants will learn how to focus their mission, design effective services, build core capabilities, evaluate scaling options, and implement strong performance and governance systems.

This collaborative promotes, expands, and defends race-explicit grantmaking and programming, ensuring that equity remains at the forefront of philanthropic efforts across diverse communities. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This article outlines three options for nonprofits to verify their financials through a CPA: audits, reviews, and compilations. The article shares the steps required to complete each option and discusses how to determine the best financial service for your organization.

This article debunks common myths about the executive branch's authority to target nonprofit organizations and highlights specific laws that limit the IRS and federal government’s power to revoke 501(c)(3) status. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This article examines internship guidelines from the U.S. Department of Labor, and discusses the “primary beneficiary test,” which determines whether or not an intern is actually considered an employee under the FLSA.

This collection includes practical tools, guides, and webinars to help nonprofit leaders financially prepare and strategize during times of immense uncertainty. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This article offers a comprehensive guide to creating engaging and effective nonprofit email newsletters. It presents over 30 content ideas that organizations can use to inform, inspire, and connect with their audiences and maximize donor engagement.

This article explores the role of the board of directors and offers practical strategies to engage board members not only in financial contributions but also as ambassadors who cultivate relationships with donors and fellow board members.

This report presents a case study of two museums and an aquarium that initiated administrative consolidation—a strategic restructuring model that can strengthen organizational efficiency by streamlining administrative functions and reducing costs.

This report offers a comprehensive analysis of compensation trends within the nonprofit sector. With data from 200+ nonprofit organizations, it examines a spectrum of job roles and pay structures, highlighting key developments, including disparities in compensation, shifts in industry benchmarks, and continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on nonprofits.

CompassPoint Workshops offer sliding-scale workshops to develop skills in leadership, communications, fundraising, and financial management.

This article addresses common questions and concerns regarding the slate of executive actions in 2025 and how they impact nonprofits' federal grants and contracts; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives; 501(c)(3) status; and more. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This collection of resources offer trainings and articles to support the process of starting a nonprofit.

This guide provides an outline with visual examples for how to craft a compelling annual report that communicates the organization's mission, vision, and impact.

This case study on the partnership between two Bay Area organizations illustrates how leadership behaviors helped create the conditions for successful partnership.

This guide provides steps, reflections, and examples for how to manage scaling, building, creating or expanding nonprofit programs.

This article provides in-depth insights on how to navigate and negotiate exit agreements for nonprofit CEOs, including scenarios where such agreements are appropriate, four common types of exit agreements, and key considerations for boards and executives when drafting them.

This article counters a misconception about nonprofits — that they require less direct involvement and scrutiny than businesses. The article argues that nonprofits, like businesses, are complex operations that require proactive participation from their leaders. Board members should approach their roles with curiosity and proactive involvement in their nonprofit organizations.

This article highlights key questions and reflection points to help organizations stay prepared and grounded amid the Trump administration’s threats to nonprofits. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This collection provides up-to-date resources tracking federal policy changes and their impacts on nonprofits. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This fact sheet provides a brief overview about how the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) applies to non-profit organizations, including the law's coverage for nonprofit enterprises, employees, and volunteers.

This article offers a brief explanation of the difference between paid interns and volunteer interns, including tips, checklist, and other guidance to ensure best practices for managing internships and compliance with federal labor standards.

This article examines the various reasons an organization may choose to implement—or not implement—exit interviews, and offers guidance on how to conduct them effectively, from both the employee and employer perspectives, to help mitigate risks for both parties.

This fillable template helps organizations implement ethical artificial intelligence (AI) governance policies.

This article outlines initial steps nonprofits can take to assess their risk of losing federal funding, as the Trump administration targets grants and contracts for termination. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This article offers guidance and examines concrete examples to better understand and craft different kinds of conflict of interest policies for an organization's volunteers, staff, and board members.

This brief, free self-paced interactive webinar (including a transcription) provides guidance for which disclosures are required to remain compliant with the IRS as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, including annual return forms, applications for exemption, determination letters, and acknowledgement letters for tax-deductibility of donations.

The Core Capacity Assessment Tool (CCAT) and related trainings equip nonprofit consultants and organizational development professionals with the tools to assess and strengthen organizational effectiveness.

This article highlights key research findings demonstrating how diversity and inclusion improve an organization's ability to recruit and retain talent, increase group creativity, strengthen an organization's reputation and social responsibility, and improve financial outcomes. Although framed within corporate work environments, these insights may also be valuable for nonprofit organizations.

This sample code of conduct policy for board members covers several issues, including conflict of interest, sexual harassment, confidentiality, and active participation.

This collection of resources from the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics offers a wide array of articles and case studies on ethics in the nonprofit sector.

This article builds on the concept of corporate social responsibility, emphasizing that nonprofits should also commit to socially responsible initiatives.

This article guides nonprofits through tips and best practices for creating, sending, and managing email newsletters.

This report draws from five years of data from nonprofit organizations to examine how diversity shifts across leadership levels; how diversity among CEOs shifts across nonprofit size, revenue, cause, and location; diversity of board members; and differences between organizations with majority BIPOC leadership and majority white leadership.

This article provides guidance for what to include, and exclude, from nonprofit annual reports. It includes visual examples from other annual reports and explains why they were effective.

This set of frequently asked questions provides guidance for workers and employers on the distinctions between independent contractors and employees, along with the applicable regulations.

This book provides insights into IRS-approved models of fiscal sponsorship, explains how each model works, and explores their key differences.

This article offers guidance and tips for crafting a conflict of interest policy for board members, as well as links to sample policies.

This article offers practical guidance for nonprofits and donors responding to disasters. It covers how nonprofits can assist while staying compliant with IRS guidance, and provides donors with best practices on how to support organizations more effectively and securely post-disaster.

This article provides an overview of the negotiation process involved when two or more nonprofits decide to merge, including steps such as passing formal resolutions, forming a merger committee, and integrating departments across the organizations.

This guidance helps organizations determine if and how lobbying rules in California might affect nonprofit organizations, including guidelines, definitions, case study, and additional resources.

This Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP) Essentials program provides ongoing trainings for bookkeepers, staff accountants, and any professional charged with the financial management at nonprofits.

This free webinar provides an introduction into the role of government and nonprofits in disaster recovery, featuring insights from countt, state, and federal organizations as well as the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) coalition.

This report presents case profiles of nonprofits that explored merger opportunities with guidance from the Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative (NSI)—a collaborative effort aimed at helping Los Angeles-area nonprofits pursue formal partnerships and restructuring strategies to build sustainability and amplify community impact.

This sample list of questions is designed to support organizations during merger negotiations, addressing key areas such as governance, finance, human resources, capital, programs, and communications.

This article synthesizes insights from different nonprofit books to provide best practices when managing personnel needs, staff and volunteer recruitment and hiring, orientation and onboarding, and compensation.

This article provides a brief overview of how the IRS and U.S. Department of Labor classify workers as employees or independent contractors, along with guidance on distinguishing between exempt and non-exempt employees.

This report examines a case study of two organizations undergoing leadership transitions, which served as a catalyst for their strategic restructuring and merger.

This two-part workbook series offers practical tools and strategic analysis to support nonprofits exploring and implementing mergers.

This report illustrates patterns of politically-motivated threats to social justice organizations, how they can distract or weaken an organization, and the steps groups are taking to armor themselves and emerge stronger. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This guidance explores the different models of fiscal sponsorship and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these types of relationships.

This article describes the unique accounting needs of nonprofit organizations and provides an overview of different factors that nonprofits should consider when adopting accounting software.

This website offers free informative videos to prepare for and safely defend our rights during encounters with Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This article offers a concise list of ideal attributes when searching for a new board chair or evaluating the current board chair of a nonprofit.

This organization advocates for fiscal sponsorship as a strategic tool for strengthening the Silicon Valley’s arts ecosystem, and includes a list of local fiscal sponsors in Silicon Valley and the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

This article provides comprehensive guidance for how to switch from a planned physical, in-person event to a virtual or online event in the case of a crisis or emergency.

This article compares the benefits of fiscal sponsorship versus obtaining your own 501(c)(3) status, with specific focus on the Players Philanthropy Fund (PPF) fiscal sponsorship program.

This article outlines key anti-discrimination laws enacted by Congress to protect employees and job applicants, emphasizing that these laws can only be overturned by federal court rulings or additional Congressional action. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This article provides visualization, explanations, and specific examples of the different ways that organizations can join together to achieve a shared goal, including methods of collaboration, alliances, and strategic restructuring.

This article provides an overview of common insurance policies and asserts the importance of implementing comprehensive liability insurance to manage potential crises, such as fraud, cyberattack, mismanagement, or discrimination.

This free webinar and resource list provides an explanation and overview of government funding for nonprofit organizations, and thoughtfully considers the benefits, risks, and challenges of applying for, receiving, and managing government contracts.

This collection of documents provides up-to-date guidelines on California's pay-to-play contribution restrictions and prohibitions.

This is a resource compilation of publications released by the California Office of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), covering a wide range of topics.

This community defense project protects immigrant families from deportation threats and provides accompaniment support during and after a community member’s arrest or detention. The webpage offers "Know Your Rights" cards and trainings. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This sample bylaw document outlines which sections are typically needed in a nonprofit's bylaws, which will serve as a guidebook for the board of directors on holding elections, fulfilling quorum requirements, organizing meetings and keeping the meetings orderly.

This article describes the steps that nonprofits can take to reduce its liability in the process of laying off employees.

This article provides an overview of fiscal sponsorship, including its definition, the role of the fiscal sponsor, and additional resources for best practices.

This article outlines the initial steps an organization should take upon learning that a federal grant or contract has been terminated by a federal agency. While specific rules may vary by grant, contract, and agency, this checklist provides a solid foundation for determining next steps and understanding your rights. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This chapter on power mapping illustrates how to visually map relationships between people, organizations, and institutions to better understand and leverage networks for coalition building and citizen lobbying.

This article offers reflective questions to help individuals decide if they should join a nonprofit board, including a link to a board readiness quiz.

This memorandum includes a sample Conflict of Interest Policy for California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and discusses the legal rationale and background for the policy.

This article uses a question-and-answer format to provide guidance on the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) requirements for data retention.

This article explores how nonprofit mergers and acquisitions, often seen as a last-resort solution during a crisis, can be powerful tools for increasing organizational effectiveness. When approached strategically and with adequate planning and resources, M&A can strengthen missions, streamline operations, and help nonprofits better navigate a complex and demanding landscape.

This searchable tracker of legal challenges to the Trump administration’s executive orders includes overviews, case summaries, and real-time updates as new information becomes available. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This free webinar prepares nonprofits with tools and strategies to keep business operational for staff and clients through emergencies and disasters.

This one-hour webinar highlights key topics from the California Attorney General’s Guide for Charities, offering best practices to help organizations remain compliant and transparent in their fundraising and operations.

This toolkit details different childcare options available in case of an absent parent, where to find trusted immigration services in your community, and how to prepare to assert your constitutional rights in the presence of an immigration officer. Este paquete detalla las diferentes opciones de cuidado infantil disponibles en caso de que un padre este ausente, dónde encontrar servicios de inmigración de confianza en su comunidad, y cuáles son sus derechos constitucionales en presencia de un oficial de inmigración.Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This free webinar discusses the distinction between business planning, financial planning, and strategic planning; how to present risks to board members; and frameworks to analyze your model and explain to stakeholders. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This article provides guidance for nonprofit employee management, including links to additional resources and a brief question-and-answer for common issues.

These templates are designed to help organizations make informed budgeting and management decisions by planning for various income, expense, and programmatic impact scenarios. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This article offers email templates and best practices for crafting compelling and effective fundraising emails.

This article highlights key considerations when drafting an equitable organizational budget, and provides an in-depth fillable workbook to help nonprofits calculate the full cost of their work at the organization-wide level.

This video series and sample budget template provide step-by-step guidance for nonprofits beginning their budgeting process, including both a birds-eye view of the larger purpose of budgets, as well as the practical steps involved in developing expense categories and creating a budget timeline.

This resource collection provides up-to-date insights into the executive orders issued in 2025 and how they impact nonprofits' federal grants and contracts; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives; 501(c)(3) status; and more. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This article provides checklists to help nonprofits ensure compliance with relevant guidelines, empowering them to respond to potential threats and proactively advocate for their mission and values in the political sphere. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This article provides a checklist to help nonprofit organizations secure access to unrestricted, liquid funds and leverage networks and advocacy to protect both their organizations and the communities they serve from politically motivated attacks by the federal government. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This study of the U.S. nonprofit arts and cultural subsector (2008–2018) argues that overhead spending is neither inherently good nor bad, but advocates for an optimal level that supports nonprofit sustainability. The findings have implications for charity monitors, donors, scholars, and other stakeholders concerned with nonprofit accountability and effectiveness.

This guide offers tips for promoting, planning, producing, and facilitating virtual events. It provides advice on choosing the right technology, equipment, and platforms to run a successful virtual event or webinar.

This article highlights strategies organizations can use to assess and mitigate the impact of the Trump administration’s executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices on their talent management programs. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This article uses a question-and-answer format to provide specific guidance on compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

This step-by-step guide outlines seven phases, along with actionable steps and suggested timing, for developing and implementing plans to achieve diversity and inclusion in the nonprofit workplace.

This publication helps public charities comply with federal tax law by tracking their lobbying activities. The guide includes sample forms and describes multiple options for tracking staff time, overhead expenses, and direct costs.

These ongoing interactive, online trainings will help social justice and educational equity leaders develop their abilities to delegate tasks, strengthen manager-staff relationships, and address unconscious bias.

This collection provides local immigration resources, including "know your rights" information, legal services, public charge assistance, housing and eviction support, and help with basic needs. Part of SVCN's Resilience Resources: Tools and Information to Manage and Adapt to Federal Policy Shifts.

This article covers key responsibilities, codes of conduct, and ethical duties for board members, as well as sample policies for implementation.

This document outlines 33 principles for best practices for charitable organizations and foundations related to legal compliance and public disclosure, effective governance, financial oversight, and responsible fundraising.

This free introductory three-part webinar series provides an overview of basic accounting and financial stewardship for nonprofits. The series defines nonprofit organizations and the uses of financial information for their stakeholders; discusses basic accounting concepts and financial statements; and reviews systems used for business transactions and financial statements.