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Nonprofits

Charitable nonprofits embody the best of America. They provide a way for people to work together for the common good, transforming shared beliefs and hopes into action. They give shape to our boldest dreams, highest ideals, and noblest causes. America’s 1.3 million charitable nonprofits feed, heal, shelter, educate, inspire, enlighten, and nurture people of every age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status, from coast to coast, border to border, and beyond. They foster civic engagement and leadership, drive economic growth, and strengthen the fabric of our communities. Every single day.

A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in contrast with an entity that operates as a business aiming to generate a profit for its owners. An array of organizations are nonprofit, including some political organizations, schools, business associations, churches, social clubs, and consumer cooperatives. Nonprofit entities may seek approval from governments to be tax-exempt, and some may also qualify to receive tax-deductible contributions, but an entity may incorporate as a nonprofit entity without securing tax-exempt status.

Resources for Nonprofits

  • Small Business and Leadership Books – Browse our collection of Small Business Development, Job Seeking, and Leadership books while on the go. Place holds on items and pick them up at your convenience at the Independence Public Library.
  • Mini Makers Spacea collaborative workspace inside the library for making, learning, exploring, and sharing.

Fab Lab ICC – Located in the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship on the main campus of Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas. The Fab Lab is a creative space providing community members and students access to advanced manufacturing and digital fabrication tools for: making things for fun; learning academic and vocational skills; developing innovations and inventions; creating businesses and items for business promotion; and producing personalized products.

Kansas Secretary of State – Business filing center to search for business name availability, perform business entity search, file an annual report, or file business formation documents.

Kansas Nonprofit Chamber – The Kansas Nonprofit Chamber supports Kansas nonprofits in fulfilling their mission, building capacity and developing sustainability.

  • Internal Revenue Service Charities and Nonprofits– Obtain tax forms and publications including federal identification number application.
  • U.S. Patents & Trademarks – Federal agency for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks. Conduct preliminary patent searches also on this site.
  • U.S. Small Business Administration – Provides programs to aid, counsel, assist and protect interests of small businesses. Includes free online training, resources for small business planning and management, and information on SBA loan programs.
  • Grants.gov – The government’s central storehouse for information on over 1,000 grant programs. Research, find, determine eligibility and apply for federal government grants. (Note: Few grant programs are available for for-profit businesses, but this is the source to find out what might be available for your business.)
  • Grow with Google – Learn how to manage your business remotely by using digital tools that help you connect with customers and work more efficiently.
  • Google for Nonprofits – Help your nonprofit collaborate more effectively with smart, secure business apps.
  • SBDCNET National Information Clearing House – The SBDC’s national information clearing house and small business information center; links to business plan info, industry resources, demographic resources and more.
  • SCORE SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors.
  • Public Legal – Obtain free legal forms to download to use as a template or sample draft before consulting an attorney. (Note: not intended to be used in lieu of legal advice.)
  • KU Institute for Policy and Social Research – Kansas Statistical Abstract containing statistical data for the state, counties and cities in Kansas.
  • BizStats – Free business statistics and financial ratios.
  • Bplans – Business plan software and free sample business plans.
  • All Business – Offers resources including hot-to articles, business forms, contracts and agreements, expert advice, business news, business directory listings, product comparisons, business guides, and more.
  • TechSoup – Supports nonprofits, charities, and libraries by providing access to donations and discounts on software, hardware, and services from major barands.
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