BUILDING BETTER CHARITIES

The Charitable Advisory Council

The Charitable Advisory Council was created in 1999 to advise the Attorney General on various charitable issues including charitable giving, volunteerism and fundraising in Illinois. The council meets on an annual basis and consists of volunteer members appointed by the Attorney General.

Charitable Advisory Council Annual Meeting Notice

Additional Resources Recommended by the Charitable Advisory Council

General Resources
Donors Forum

General Questions for Starting a Nonprofit Organization

Annual Reporting Requirements For Charitable Organizations

Illinois CPA Society Non-Profit Information

Illinois Legal Aid: How Do I Create A Non-Profit Organization?

Independent Sector

Council on Foundations

National Council of Nonprofit Associations

Nonprofit Good Practice Guide

Nonprofit Financial Center

Global Exchange for Social Investment

“Nonprofit Governance Library,” American Bar Association.

Charitable Organizations: Evaluation and Ratings
Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance

Charity Navigator

The American Institute of Philanthropy’s Charity Watch

IRS & Other Government Resources
GuideStar

Social Security Administration

IRS Charities and Nonprofits Division

IRS Division of Statistics of Income

Federal and State Tax Forms and Resources
For locating Illinois Form 990-T and Instructions: Illinois Department of Revenue, “Exempt Organization Income and Replacement Tax Forms and Schedules Tax,” available at: http://www.revenue.state.il.us/TaxForms/Incm2005/bus/exempt/index.htm

For locating Federal Forms 990, 990-PF, and 990-T, Schedules, and Instructions: Internal Revenue Service, “Forms and Publications,” available at: http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/formspubs/index.html

For Federal tax information: Internal Revenue Service, “Tax Information for Charities & Other Non-Profits,” available at: http://www.irs.gov/charities/index.html

Office of Citizen Services and Communications, U.S. General Services Administration, “FirstGov for Nonprofits,” available at: http://www.firstgov.gov/Business/Nonprofit.shtml

For miscellaneous advice:

National Center for Charitable Statistics, “Efile Form 990.org: Electronically File your Form 990 and State Registration Forms,” available at: http://efile.form990.org/

National Center for Charitable Statistics, “Quality 990: Improve IRS Form 990 Reporting,” available at: http://www.qual990.org/

National Center for Charitable Statistics, “Unified Chart of Accounts,” available at: http://nccsdataweb.urban.org/FAQ/index.php?category=77

Federal Trade Commission, “Charitable Donations: Give or Take?” available at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel01.shtm

Philanthropic Research, Inc., “GuideStar: The National Database of Nonprofit Organizations,” available at: http://www.guidestar.org/index.jsp

Fundraising
GuideStar: The National Database of Nonprofit Organizations

Giving Institute

Association of Fundraising Professionals

United Way www.unitedwayillinois.org or www.unitedway.org

Federal Trade Commission, “RAISING FUNDS? What You Should Know About Hiring a Professional,” available at: http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus32-raising-funds-what-know-about-hiring-professional

Education
List of area-based opportunities for nonprofit study:

Northwestern University
Center for Nonprofit Management
847-491-8274

School of Continuing Studies: Philanthropy and Nonprofit Fundraising
(312) 503-3715

DePaul University
Public Services Graduate Program
312-362-8441

Loyola University Chicago
Philanthropy and Nonprofit Sector Graduate Certificate Program
312-915-8697

North Park University
Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management
(773) 244-5518

Indiana University
Center of Philanthropy (distance learning and fundraising programs) (offers program in Chicago)
317-274-4200

Roosevelt University
Certificate in Nonprofit Management
(312) 341-3819

AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals)

Return to Building Better Charities Main Page