Category: Startup
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Before You File: What Every Nonprofit Founder Needs to Know
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You have a vision. You see the need in your community. You have the passion to do something about it. And you are ready to make it official — to start a nonprofit organization. But before you file a single form, there are things you absolutely need to know. Things…
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What Type of Chicago Nonprofit Is Growing the Fastest?
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My earlier analysis of Chicago’s nonprofit formation data looked at where organizations are forming — four geographic clusters, each with a distinct formation pattern. But the IRS Exempt Organizations data contains a second layer of information that I haven’t addressed yet: what kinds of organizations are forming. Every organization in the IRS database…
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Illinois Nonprofits: A Troubling Paradox of Growth and Collapse
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A Note on Data: This analysis uses the most recent publicly available data from the Illinois Secretary of State, current through July 15, 2024. Figures for full-year 2024 represent projections based on annualizing data through that date. While newer data would be valuable, the trends revealed here—particularly the dramatic increase in…
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Nonprofit Utopia Launches “90 Days to a New Nonprofit,” a Structured Online Program Designed to Build Legally Compliant, Grant-Ready Organizations
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CHICAGO, IL — Nonprofit Utopia announced today the launch of 90 Days to a New Nonprofit, a comprehensive online course designed to help aspiring nonprofit founders move from idea to a legally- compliant, funder-credible organization in just 90 days. The next cohort begins March 2, 2026. Interest in starting nonprofit…
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13 Common Reasons the IRS Says “No” to Applications For Tax-Exempt Status
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There are a number of reasons organizations are not successful in receiving tax exempt status on the first try. I am sharing 13 reasons, based on the IRS’ recommendations for shortening the review process and my personal experience. 1. Using common language to describe your organization’s purpose. In the State…