Research Guides: Start Your Own Nonprofit or Social Enterprise: Get Started

What is a Nonprofit Organization?

B Corporation
B Corps are for-profit companies certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship
Advances social entrepreneurs through events, research, and work with academic institutions.
Social Enterprise Alliance
A national membership organization for social enterprises offering workshops, webinars, a free online resource center, and more.

Social Business Model Canvas
A useful graphic organizer for business and strategic planning.
Community Toolbox
Help and resources on assessing community needs and resources, addressing social determinants of health, engaging stakeholders, action planning, building leadership, improving cultural competency, planning an evaluation, and sustaining your efforts over time.

Starting a Nonprofit from Michigan Nonprofit Association
Information helpful to groups incorporating a public charity in Michigan and applying for 501(c)(3) status
GiveCamp Ann Arbor
GiveCamp is a weekend-long event where technology professionals from designers, developers and database administrators to marketers and web strategists donate their time to provide solutions for non-profit organizations.
Good for Michigan
"Good For Michigan brings together and recognizes companies across Michigan that are making a positive impact on their employees, their community, and the environment. "
Michigan Nonprofit Association
Michigan Nonprofit Association is a statewide membership organization dedicated to serving the diverse nonprofit sector through civic engagement, capacity-building, data and technology, training, and advocacy.
NEW: Solutions for Nonprofits
NEW works with nonprofit organization to craft solutions and create pathways to success. NEW offers expert consultation, education, support and resources to ensure every phase of your organization’s operations is effectively geared toward achieving your mission.

Nonprofit Times - Michigan eLibrary
News and "how to" information on funding and management for any nonprofit organization. Available to all Michigan residents.
Chronicle of Philanthropy - Michigan eLibrary
Provides news & information for fund raisers, professional employees of foundation, corporate grant makers, & people who work for nonprofit, tax exempt organizations in health, education, religion, the arts, & social services. Available to all Michigan residents.
Stanford Social Innovation Review - Michigan eLibrary
Presents the best ideas in nonprofit management, philanthropy & corporate citizenship. Available to all Michigan residents.

Journal of Social Entrepreneurship - Michigan eLibrary
Covers social entrepreneurship and social innovation across a range of sectors and cultural settings. Available to all Michigan residents.
See Change - The Magazine of Social Entrepreneurship
A digital magazine with companion podcast seeking to inform, educate, and inspire social entrepreneurs.
Stanford Social Innovation Review - Michigan eLibrary
Presents the best ideas in nonprofit management, philanthropy & corporate citizenship. Available to all Michigan residents.