Field Guide to Establishing A Charitable Foundation
(Updated March 2009)
In today's struggling economic times, the decision to establish or even to participate in a charitable foundation can be tough. The resources presented here can help facilitate this decision-making process. You will find information pertaining to tax and legal issues, fundraising as well as general tips on how to start a non-profit. You'll also discover a wide assortment of useful web sites as well as many valuable resources available from NAR, including the Housing Opportunity Program (HOP)! (K. Bartlett Walsh, Quality Assurance Coordinator)
NAR's Housing Opportunity Program 
What is a Donor Bill of Rights?
A Donor Bill of Rights is a set of standards created by a group of professional fundraising societies for nonprofits to generate confidence between donors and donees. Board members of nonprofits should embrace these fundraising standards and also make certain that the development staff of their organization is familiar with a Donor Bill of Rights
A Donor Bill of Rights helps leaders understand the donor expectations while bolstering donor confidence. It also outlines the donor's right to receive proper recognition, gain access to the organization's financial statements, obtain information on how funds are being distributed, and stay anonymous if desired.
A full text is available at Donor Bill of Rights.
Source: Association of Fundraising Professionals
Starting Out 
Good neighbor toolkit - leading a charity, (REALTOR® Magazine Online, 2009).
Starting a nonprofit organization: one-stop answer page, (About.com, 2009).
The nonprofit FAQ, (Idealist.org, 2009).
Passion strong, process long in foundation start, (Business First of Buffalo, Dec. 19, 2008).
Drive your own charitable financial vehicle - ensemble dangles keys to a private foundation, (San Francisco Business Times, Oct. 10, 2008).
Entrepreneurs foundation gives advise on giving back, (San Jose Business Journal, Sept. 19, 2008).
Charity work brings associations a sense of fellowship and service, plus valuable media attention, (REALTOR® Association Executive, Fall 2007).
Charitable giving - trusts and estates, (Trusts and Estates, Nov. 2005). Q
Business professionals give back by setting up family foundations, (Houston Business Journal, Nov. 11, 2005).
Ten common foundation mistakes, (Trusts and Estates, Apr. 2004). Q
Make a pledge to make a difference, (REALTOR® Association Executive, Fall 2002). Q
Tax & Legal Issues
IRS: tax information for charities and other non-profits, (Internal Revenue Service, 2009).
Navigating the economic storm for foundations and charities, (Accounting Technology, Jan. 2009). Q
How to hire a lawyer, (REALTOR® Association Executive, Winter 2008).
Tax boundaries for community foundations, (Trusts & Estates, Oct. 2008). Q
One foundation's legal battle - a cautionary tale for all non-profits, (Non-Profit World, Sept./Oct. 2008). Q
Fundraising
Good neighbor toolkit - fundraising, (REALTOR® Magazine Online, 2009).
Small board spotlight - fundraising event, (REALTOR® Association Executive, Winter 2007).
Fundraising in the new philanthropy environment: the benefits and challenges of working with giving circles, (Non-Profit Management and Leadership, Winter 2008). Q
Recession-ready fundraising, (Non-Profit World, Nov./Dec. 2008). Q
What's key to raising money in a tough economy?, (Non-Profit World, Jul./Aug. 2008). Q
Effective fundraising for non-profits - real world strategies that work, (Non-Profit World, March/April 2008). Q
How to energize your thank you letter, (Non-Profit World, March/April 2008). Q
Beyond common sense: proven tactics for direct-mail fundraising, (Non-Profit World, Sept./Oct. 2007). Q
Giving back: why big donors cut tiny checks, (Wall Street Journal, July 3, 2006). Q
Strings attached: along with their big bucks rich donors want to give charities their two cents, (Wall Street Journal, July 3, 2006). Q
A look at corporate giving, (Associations Now, May 2006). Q
Useful Websites
Association of Fundraising Professionals
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Fundraising For Dummies® (Adobe eReader)
Effective Fundraising For Nonprofits (Adobe eReader)
Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations (Adobe eReader)
Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (Adobe eReader)
The Ask - How to Ask Anyone for Any Amount for Any Purpose (Adobe eReader)
The Accidental Fundraiser (Adobe eReader)
Not-for-Profit Budgeting and Financial Management (Adobe eReader)
Beyond Fundraising (Adobe eReader)
Nonprofit Internet Strategies (Adobe eReader)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
CPR for nonprofits, (San Francisco, CA.: Jossey-Bass, 2000). HF 294 R27
Starting and managing an association foundation: background kit, (Washington, DC.: American Society of Association Executives, 1995). HF 294 Am3str
The complete book of model fund-raising letters, (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1995). HG 177 K97
Marketing the nonprofit association: a guide to marketing the functional areas of trade associations and professional societies, (Washington, DC: The Greater Washington Society of Association Executives Foundation, 1994). HF 294 G79m Ed.2
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Strategic Planning for Associations
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The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
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