Nonprofit Fundamentals

Nonprofit Association of Washington has developed nonprofit fundamentals designed to strengthen your organization’s performance and decision-making. Sign up for one or more of these ongoing training sessions as a live webinar or in-person class, or view the recordings and download additional resources in our Learning Library. No matter how you engage with our resources on nonprofit fundamentals, you’ll be ready to take action to deliver on your organization’s mission.
Boards in Gear logo, with Washington state behind it, circled by the 5 pieces of the curriculum.

Boards in Gear (BIG)

Boards play an important role in the success of any nonprofit by moving the organization’s mission forward and stewarding its assets and relationships. Strengthening the practice of nonprofit boards leads to more effective and sustainable results in achieving organizational missions to address poverty, education, social justice, health, environment, and other critical issues.

Boards in Gear covers the main areas of strong board practice: connection to cause, roles and responsibilities, how to build and sustain a great board, and engage board members in fundraising. This workshop will give you clear insight into board operations, development, fundraising, and advocacy.

Upcoming Events

Learn on Your Own

View our BIG videos & resources in our Learning Library.

Finance Unlocked For Nonprofits Logo. Balance Sheet. Income Statement. Nine-Ninety. Giving. Oversight.

Finance Unlocked for Nonprofits (FUN)

Finance Unlocked for Nonprofits represents a departure from other finance trainings. Through this interactive, hands-on workshop, we work through the why, what, who, and how of nonprofit finance. We dig deeper into two key reports – Balance Sheets and Income Statements – and then cover what board members need to know about IRS Form 990, the intersection of finance and fundraising, and oversight. Healthy finance practice can be habit-forming when people are working within their comfort zones, so we discuss how to get your organization there. Find out what nonprofit finance has to do with BINGO, and play BINGO with your board to cement your knowledge!

Upcoming  Events

Learn on Your Own

View our FUN videos & resources in our Learning Library.

Let's Go Legal! The right road to compliance and protection

Let’s Go Legal (LGL)

Let’s Go Legal covers the key topics board members need to know about legal compliance: state and federal law, fundraising, employment, and intellectual property. In Let’s Go Legal, you’ll learn how your organization is like a car. For example, you need to register both your car and your nonprofit with the state, and follow the “rules of the road” in how you operate. Fundraising is like the fuel that moves your car forward. Your employees, the people in your car, matter. And your intellectual property is special, like the look and feel of your car.

Let’s Go Legal covers what you need to know about each of these topics and provides an easy checklist to make sure your organization covers it all. We also take some deeper dives into nonprofit law topics along the way, such as by-laws and how to use them to strengthen your board practice, and advocacy with the public sector.

Upcoming Events

Learn on Your Own

View our LGL videos & resources in our Learning Library.

SPiN graphic

Strategic Planning in Nonprofits (SPIN)

Do you need to develop or clarify strategies to achieve your nonprofit’s mission while also ensuring organizational health and sustainability? If so, Strategic Planning in Nonprofits is for you! Over the course of three 90-minute webinars and at-home work between sessions, we review the six phases in the planning process: preparing, listening, envisioning, planning, executing, and evaluating.

Strategic planning aligns your people and resources around a plan to achieve your mission, and this webinar series will set you on the path to developing a strategic plan that doesn’t sit on a shelf collecting dust. You’ll emerge with the tools and confidence to develop a strategic plan for your organization.

Upcoming Events

Learn on Your Own

View our SPIN videos & resources in our Learning Library.

TOOLS graphic

Tools for Running an Effective Nonprofit (TOOLS)

Tools for Running an Effective Nonprofit is for leaders of all or mostly volunteer-run organizations wanting to learn the basics on how to deliver on your mission. We cover the fundamentals of running a small nonprofit by drawing on tested tips and tools, including NAWA’s four toolkits on boards, finance, law, and strategic planning (above). This workshop will help you map out concrete next steps for strengthening your organization.

Upcoming Events

Learn on Your Own

View our TOOLS videos & resources in our Learning Library.

Looking for something specific?

Below you will find a list of all documents associated with our Nonprofit Fundamentals resources. Use the drop-down menus to filter by category or topic. Or enter your keywords into the search field.

Chapter: Oversight – Guide

Download this chapter's guide before watching the video.

Chapter: Introduction (FUN) – Guide

Download this chapter's guide before watching the video.

Sample Gift Acceptance Policy

Sample Gift Acceptance Policy from National Council of Nonprofits

Governance and Compliance Checklist

This brief checklist reviews items to help your organization stay legally compliant with your finances.

Separation of Duties Worksheet

Use this worksheet to map out separation of financial duties at your organization.

Oversight Checklist

Use this checklist to assess areas of financial oversight in your organization.

Financial Culture Worksheet

This activity will help you assess the financial culture in your workplace.

2022 Washington Nonprofit Handbook

Washington State Board Standards

Board Standards in Washington State Find this document translated into 10 languages here Find federal board ...

Chapter: LGL Introduction – Video Transcript

Transcript with visual descriptions of the Let's Go Legal Introduction video

Chapter: State Law – Video Transcript

Transcript with visual descriptions of the Let's Go Legal State Law video

Chapter: Federal Law – Video Transcript

Transcript with visual descriptions of the Let's Go Legal Federal Law video

Chapter: Fundraising (LGL) – Video Transcript

Transcript with visual descriptions of the Let's Go Legal Fundraising video

Chapter: Employment Law – Video Transcript

Transcript with visual descriptions of the Let's Go Legal Employment Law video

Chapter: Intellectual Property – Video Transcript

Transcript with visual descriptions of the Let's Go Legal Intellectual Property video

Let’s Go Legal Guide

Start by downloading the Let's Go Legal guide that includes checklists, activities, and reflection questions. As ...

Let’s Go Legal Placemat

Let's Go Legal Webinar Placemat

Let’s Go Legal Game

Let's Go Legal Game

Chapter: State Law – Guide

Download this chapter's guide before watching the video.

Chapter: Federal Law – Guide

Download this chapter's guide before watching the video.

Chapter: Fundraising (LGL) – Guide

Download this chapter's guide before watching the video.

Chapter: Employment Law – Guide

Download this chapter's guide before watching the video.

Chapter: Intellectual Property – Guide

Download this chapter's guide before watching the video.

Chapter: LGL Introduction – Guide

Download this chapter's guide before watching the video.

Sample At-Will Policy

Two Sample at-will employment policies

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