Nonprofit Management/Governance Assistance

About.com's Experts- resource to ask a question by e-mail on a variety of nonprofit topics and get an expert response in a timely way; to find an expert to answer your nonprofit question, once in the site click on Jobs/Careers, then Nonprofit Charitable Organizations, then Fundraising/Management Issues

About.com Nonprofit Site - provides linkages to other sites with excellent information related to many management and governance topics

Board Cafe - The Newsletter Exclusively for Members of Nonprofit Boards of Directors...(and Board consultants)

BoardSource- Premier resource for strengthening nonprofit boards through education, publications and other resources

CharityChannel - free electronic newsletters on various nonprofit board governance and fundraising topics

C(3)EC Forum- The C(3)EO Forum is comprised of the chief executives of Chicago area non-profit (501(c)3) organizations. Its purpose is to further strengthen the core competencies of local nonprofit chief executive officers and their organizations; and to develop a better understanding of critical issues and opportunities confronting non-profit agencies. The C(3)EO Forum is open to any chief executive officer of a non-profit organization. To join, simply send an e-mail to C3EO-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Greater Chicago Nonprofit Gateway-  Nonprofit resource information to help facilitate communication for all constituents of the local Chicago area nonprofit community, sponsored by the Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management at North Park University.

Innovation Networks - interactive site with tools for planning and evaluating organizational structure and services; includes step-by-step directions and free review of completed plans

Internet Nonprofit Center- Comprehensive resources; FAQ's

Library for Nonprofits- Comprehensive resource bank with 72 categories of FAQ's

Mission-based Management- Peter Brinckeroff's services, publications, free newsletter, links

Nonprofit GENIE- Information and resources for the nonprofit community.  "Board Cafe" free e-newsletter

NPOnet- Chicago and national nonprofit news, calendar, philanthropy database, training, jobs

Stanford Social Innovation Review The mission at SSIR is to share substantive insights and practical experiences that will help those who do the important work of improving society do it even better. Many free online articles of interest to nonprofits and governments.

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Fundraising / Resource Development

Association of Fund Raising Professionals (AFP)- Formerly NSFRE, with 3,000 references and periodicals related to philanthropy; upcoming events

Council on Foundations- 130 publications; workshops and conferences

Donors Forum of Chicago- Workshops and regional library on local and national sources of philanthropy; grants made; public policy news; job postings

Foundation Center- Clearinghouse for information on more than 60,000 foundations; corporate giving; Learning Lab; Foundation Directory subscription

Gifts in Kind International- Source for donated products and services

Guidestar Donors Guide to Charities- Donors Guide to Charities- National database of Form 990 for 600,000 nonprofits

Network for Good - A source to facilitate online giving and volunteering

Planned Giving Today (publication)- Estate planning ideas; legislation

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Publications/Online Newsletters

Charity Channel- Discussion forums and e-newsletters for nonprofit management and governance

Chronicle of Philanthropy- News; information on new grants

Nonprofit Times- Leading business publication for nonprofit management

Philanthropy News Network- Latest philanthropic news

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Technology

Dotorgmedia helping nonprofits use the Internet, e-fundraising, and other technology applications productively.

e-PhilanthropyFoundation - Fosters the secure, private and ethical use of the internet for philanthropic purposes

Lumity- Lumity helps to illuminate the community by enabling hundreds of nonprofits do their good work better, through the application of relevant technology and financial tools.

Learn the Net- Basics of the Internet; search techniques and interactive search tutorial

Techsoup - Technology resource for nonprofits" please add ", includes Tech Soup Stock (discounted technology products for nonprofits.)

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Chicago Area Capacity Building Organizations

Arts & Business Council- Assists Chicago area arts organizations, with a special focus in management consulting and recruitment of board members

Association of Consultants to Nonprofits- Directory of consultants serving nonprofits in the Chicago area

Chicago Access Network Television- Provides training and technical assistance to promote your services on cable television.

Community Economic Development Law Project- Provides Chicago area nonprofits with legal services for community development efforts

Community Media Workshop- Assists Chicago area nonprofits in media training, communication strategy; getting attention from journalists

CPAs for the Public Interest- Provides Chicago area pro bono help in financial management and in recruiting board members

Donors Forum of Chicago- Provides information and training on fundraising, management and board governance

IT Resource Center- Assists Chicago area nonprofits in consulting and training technology

Metro Chicago Information Center- Provides data and information retrieval to support strategic planning, grant proposals, and evaluations

Nonprofit Financial Center- Provides Chicago area nonprofits with financial training and consulting; working capital financing

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National Nonprofit Related Resources

Alliance for Nonprofit Management- National membership organization for organizations and individuals involved in capacity building of the nonprofit sector; online newsletter; national directory of consultants

Executive Service Corps- Find ESC's in other locations throughout the country

Independent Sector- Nonprofit information center; resources, research and advocacy for enhancing philanthropy and the nonprofit initiative

Philanthropic Advisory Services- Information on charitable activities and standards

Society for Nonprofit Organizations- Resource for board members, staff and volunteers; bi-monthly magazine; distance learning institute

(Also see other national organizations listed in the government, fund raising and nonprofit management categories)

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General Interest / Miscellaneous

The Chicago Life Opportunities Initiative website has been designed to help older adults make full use of their experience, skills, interest, and talents.

Energize- For leaders of volunteers

Jobs in Chicago area nonprofits- Free service for nonprofit employers and job seekers

Legal Handbook for Volunteers- Basics to protect boards, organizations, volunteers, clients

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Government Information

Illinois Attorney General Building Better Charities-  site of Charities Advisory Council

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

U.S. Census Bureau- Population and business data

U.S. Government Services for Nonprofits- links to federal government information and services for nonprofits

Online Compendium of Federal and State Regulations for Nonprofit Organizations - An unofficial site of useful information

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Chicago Public Schools

Catalyst- Independent reporting on Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools- Board of Education; its departments; individual schools; budget; class reunions, etc.

Chicago School Leadership Cooperative - a citywide network of neighborhood groups, education organizations and civic leaders working to engage diverse communities in school reform and support the development of effective Local School Councils

Consortium on Chicago School Research- Independent research to advance school improvement

Leadership for Quality Education (LQE)- Information on Charter Schools Support

Coaching Resources

Center for Creative Leadership: www.ccl.org/leadership/index.asps

International Coaches Federation: Professional association for certified coaches; lots of special interest groups to participate in, lots of resources and links to coaching schools: www.coachfederation.org

Chicago Coaching Federation -- Local professional affiliation: www.chicagaocoaches.com

Business Balls: Source for free articles and games for performance improvement. Lots of ideas on many training and development subjects, some wacky, some mainstream, most interesting: www.businessballs.com

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