FIELD NOTES FROM A 501(C)(3) FOUNDER
WRITTEN FROM EXPERIENCE, NOT A LISTICLE

The Tools That Made Starting a 501(c)(3) Possible

I founded a nonprofit without a staff, a budget, or anyone to ask. I was tired, confused, and constantly second-guessing myself. Worst of all, I spent money I did not have on promises from people who saw a struggling founder and smelled opportunity. It was miserable.

These are the tools that carried the weight instead. Sorted by the job in front of you, with an honest note about what each one is good for and where it falls short.

Nothing here is a course. Start wherever you are stuck.

One more thing, and I know this is exactly what a scam would say: there is no catch. I earn referral credits when you sign up through my links, not money from you. I found a way to help that also helps me keep the lights on. That is the whole deal.

Mike, founder of Founder2Founder
MEET THE FOUNDER

Hi, I’m Mike.

5th-GRADE TEACHER, NEW YORK · 501(c)(3) FOUNDER

I hope this site helps you start and successfully build your own 501(c)(3) — while letting a few referrals help cover some of my own nonprofit’s expenses along the way.

I was taught the importance of hard work as a young man, and I’m not afraid to put in the effort, especially for something I believe in. I believe in the power of teacher community, and I believe Viktor will make your life easier, because it made mine. His cousin Jace isn’t bad either.

Hope to see you inside.

Some of the best tools I've come across for use by nonprofits, some of which can even be integrated in Viktor.

DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONSWORTH THE EFFORT

QuickBooks

I PAY THE TECHSOUP NONPROFIT RATE, NOT LIST PRICE

Clean books for the 990 and for anyone who asks.

Funders ask for financials at the worst possible moment, and having them already tidy is the difference between a yes and a scramble. Full transparency: I pay the discounted nonprofit rate through TechSoup. At list price this is a real monthly expense, so check TechSoup eligibility before you commit.

Get started with QuickBooks ↗
DIRECT LINK — AFFILIATE LINK PENDING
DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONSEASY START

Slack for Nonprofits

A real home base for your team, free for nonprofits under 250 members.

Your team needs a place to talk that is not a group text. Nonprofits under 250 members get Slack's Pro plan free through their nonprofit program. Unlimited message history, file sharing, and guest access for board members and volunteers who only need to see what is relevant to them. We run CollabED's entire volunteer team on it.

Apply for Slack for Nonprofits ↗
NO AFFILIATE LINK HERE. JUST A TOOL WORTH KNOWING ABOUT.
GETTING FORMEDEASY START

Google Workspace for Nonprofits

FREE THROUGH GOOGLE FOR NONPROFITS

A real @yourorg email address and shared docs — free for approved 501(c)(3)s.

Approved nonprofits get Workspace at no cost through Google for Nonprofits, which makes this a day-one move instead of a line item. Nobody wires money to a Gmail address, and Gemini handles a surprising amount of the drafting.

Get started with Google Workspace for Nonprofits ↗
DIRECT LINK — AFFILIATE LINK PENDING
RAISING MONEYSOME SETUP

RaiseRight

NO DONOR LIST REQUIRED

Raising money before you have a donor base.

Supporters buy gift cards they were already going to use for groceries and gas, and a percentage comes back to the organization. Nobody has to donate anything extra, which matters enormously in year one when you are asking people who have never heard of you.

Get started with RaiseRight ↗
DIRECT LINK — AFFILIATE LINK PENDING
RAISING MONEYSOME SETUP

Zeffy

0% PLATFORM FEE

Zero platform fees — 100% of every donation reaches your organization.

That is the entire reason to use it over anything else: no platform fee, no transaction fee, no monthly cost. Everyone else skims 3–6% before you see a dollar. Donation pages, ticketing, and forms are included, and a real giving page took me one afternoon.

Get started with Zeffy ↗
DIRECT LINK — AFFILIATE LINK PENDING
CHASING GRANTSSOME SETUP

Candid (GuideStar)

FREE — WE HOLD THE PLATINUM SEAL OF TRANSPARENCY

The free credibility profile grantmakers actually look up.

We earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency, and it cost nothing but the hours to complete the profile. Funders check you here before they visit your website, and a finished profile quietly answers the question of whether you are a real organization.

Get started with Candid (GuideStar) ↗
DIRECT LINK — AFFILIATE LINK PENDING
Made with Viktor