IRS General Website for Nonprofit Organizations - Resources and guidance for tax-exempt entities

• Publication 557, Guidance for All Tax-Exempt Organizations
• Publication 4221 PC, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) Public Charities
• Publication 4221 PF, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) Private Foundations
• Publication 526, Guidance on Charitable Contributions
• Publication 78, Search Index for Tax-Exempt Charities Registered with the IRS
• IRS Form 990 Series and Schedules
• IRS Form 990 Series Instructions
• IRS Form 990-N e-Postcard

Illinois Secretary of State

• Corporation Search, check an Illinois corporation’s legal standing, registered agent, and registered office on file with the Secretary of State
• Find state registration and annual filing forms

Illinois Attorney General, “Building Better Charities” Website

• Provides a charity search for all charities registered in Illinois, view annual financial reports
• Find Registration and Annual Report Forms
• Provides the Illinois Charitable Trust and Solicitations Acts
• Offers general guidance for charities and individual donors on state registration issues

Illinois Not-For-Profit Corporation Act

• Review the state statute regulating Illinois not-for-profit corporations

Attorneys General Nationwide

• Offers information on attorneys general in all states

Guidestar.com

• Search for charities nationwide
• View submitted Form 990’s, particularly useful for reviewing comparable compensation plans to determine reasonable compensation

United States Patent and Trademark Office

• Government agency overseeing federal trademark registrations. Research current trade and service mark registrations and review additional publications and guidance provided by the USPTO to educate the public on proper use and protection of trademarks.

United States Copyright Office

• Review federal copyright laws and electronically register works

Office of Foreign Assets Control

• This is the Office of the US Department of Treasury that contains updated information on economic and trade sanctions against certain foreign countries.  It also includes the US Government’s Specially Designated Nationals List (SDNL).  The SDNL lists organizations and individuals with whom US organizations and individuals are prohibited from doing business.   Organizations operating overseas should carefully research the SDNL and applicable sanctions.

International Center for Not-for-Profit Law

• Offers publications and research summaries on foreign laws affecting philanthropic activities.  This is especially useful for US organizations that are directly engaged in charitable programs overseas; or providing grants to foreign entities located in a particular geographical region.

Council on Foundations

• Resources including sample policies and news for grantors and grantees
• Resources for international grantmaking

Chronicle of Philanthropy

• Leading non-profit news periodical

Nonprofit Prof Law Blog

• Daily news on nonprofit organizations and nonprofit law nationwide from nonprofit law professors