What do you think?
Rate this book
Start A 501c3 Nonprofit That Doesn’t Ruin Your Life: How to Legally Structure Your Nonprofit to Avoid I.R.S. Trouble, Lawsuits, Financial Scandals & More!
Can starting a 501c3 nonprofit really ruin your life?Absolutely - if you don’t know what you’re doing!Updated for 2023 editionIn this easy to read guide, nonprofit Attorney Audrey K. Chisholm shares in plain English how to legally structure your nonprofit to avoid IRS trouble, lawsuits, financial scandals & more!This book is perfect for anyone that wants to start a nonprofit or that already has a nonprofit and wants to make sure they're in compliance with the I.R.S. and the law. Nonprofit founders, board members, officers, employees, volunteers, donors, and community partners can all benefit from this text. The book includes 225 pages worth of guidance and is designed to save each reader THOUSANDS of dollars in legal fees.This book will to Avoid I.R.S. Trouble When Paying YourselfHow to Avoid a Lawsuit When Choosing a Name for your NonprofitHow to Avoid Getting Kicked Off Your Own Board of Directors11 Things You Need To Do Before Accepting Any Major DonationsHow to Avoid Financial Scandals When Handling Money for Your NonprofitTop 7 Reasons Nonprofits Get Into Legal Trouble And How to Avoid ThemHow to Avoid Liability When Fundraising for Your NonprofitHow to Legally Structure Your Nonprofit to Avoid IRS TroubleMost Important Things You Absolutely Must Know to Avoid Liability When Recruiting VolunteersHow to Protect Your Nonprofit’s Name from Counterfeits and Identity Theft10 Things You Need to Do to Avoid Being Sued Personally for Your Nonprofit’s Actions Even If You’ve Incorporated with the StateHow to Avoid Losing Your Entire Nonprofit by Keeping up with Annual FilingsAnd more!Attorney Audrey K. Chisholm is the founder of Chisholm Law Firm, PLLC a law firm focusing on helping established individuals start and grow nonprofits that impact the world. She has a 100% success rate* with her nonprofit filings and her clients range from professionals to NFL players and a Fortune 500 company. ( Past results do not determine future outcomes). She is also the founder of Revolution Leadership, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit that has served over almost 2,000 students and has awarded over 40 college scholarships. She resides in Orlando, Florida with her husband, Dr. Juan Chisholm, three daughters, and her son.
- GenresBusiness
215 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2018
394 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 30, 2023
This is a 202 page advertisement for Chisholm Law Firm but worth the time to read since she also very clearly lays out why you need a law firm. This is a clear overview for what it takes to start up a 501(c)(3), frequent misconceptions about what 501(c)(3) means, and encouraging advice for navigating a labyrinth of rules. (And she's right. She doesn't even cover them all. Nor could she.)
Worth reading if you're thinking of starting up a nonprofit...or even just wondering if you need to.
Worth reading if you're thinking of starting up a nonprofit...or even just wondering if you need to.
July 30, 2021
Helpful but a lot of “and more!” and promoting her firm. Wish she could have replaced “and more!” With the “more”! However, lots of good info and while some I knew from other reading on the topic, there were things I hadn’t thought of!
February 7, 2020
Informative but she trying to sell her law firm a little too much
October 11, 2021
More of an ad than a how to book
The author is a nonprofit lawyer and the majority of the chapters, if not all, and with telling the reader why they should just hire a lawyer instead of doing this themselves. She then goes on to tell you why you should hire her firm. I really wouldn't recommend buying this book. You can find all of the information online for free...including the reasons to hire a lawyer and why you should hire her firm.
The author is a nonprofit lawyer and the majority of the chapters, if not all, and with telling the reader why they should just hire a lawyer instead of doing this themselves. She then goes on to tell you why you should hire her firm. I really wouldn't recommend buying this book. You can find all of the information online for free...including the reasons to hire a lawyer and why you should hire her firm.
December 5, 2020
Great Read. Having worked for a non profit years ago not a lot was a surprise. However this is a good book to have on hand.
March 1, 2023
I feel incredibly more confident!
I was determined, before reading this book, to start my nonprofit and make as big of a positive impact in my local community as possible. Now, I'm determined and confident. I spent a morning going out to different institutions to get some generic info that pertains to my nonprofit recently. My drive for getting started just keeps getting stronger. I have more questions than answers at this point and that's why I'm so thankful that I found this book. Now I will be asking myself and others the RIGHT questions. I was doing a search for DIY books, for little fun activities, when I found this. It has been a blessing! I read it in two nights. Now, even though I have no experience with nonprofit management, I feel completely confident that I will be able to make good choices and surround myself with other professionals who have the qualifications to meet the needs of my nonprofit and drive its success. It may take me a little time to really get going but I'm excited that this book was my first real step toward living a dream that I've had since I was young and suffered homelessness. Thank you!
I was determined, before reading this book, to start my nonprofit and make as big of a positive impact in my local community as possible. Now, I'm determined and confident. I spent a morning going out to different institutions to get some generic info that pertains to my nonprofit recently. My drive for getting started just keeps getting stronger. I have more questions than answers at this point and that's why I'm so thankful that I found this book. Now I will be asking myself and others the RIGHT questions. I was doing a search for DIY books, for little fun activities, when I found this. It has been a blessing! I read it in two nights. Now, even though I have no experience with nonprofit management, I feel completely confident that I will be able to make good choices and surround myself with other professionals who have the qualifications to meet the needs of my nonprofit and drive its success. It may take me a little time to really get going but I'm excited that this book was my first real step toward living a dream that I've had since I was young and suffered homelessness. Thank you!
February 25, 2025
Very useful guide for a complex process. Anyone starting a nonprofit is thinking of doing something positive for the greater public good, however, there is much opportunity for bad actors to take advantage of these laws, so the legal compliance rules that govern these are involved.
This does read as an advertisement for the author’s firm, however, it seems a pretty good one. I’ll add more to the review if needed should we engage with them.
This does read as an advertisement for the author’s firm, however, it seems a pretty good one. I’ll add more to the review if needed should we engage with them.
May 22, 2022
Start a 501c3 shared lots of valuable content that was easy to read and understand. Audrey did a great job getting all the legalize simplified to a basic understanding. I enjoyed the read.
A bit much self promotion and upsale, but looking beyond this, it was well worth the read if your interest is in nonprofit work.
A bit much self promotion and upsale, but looking beyond this, it was well worth the read if your interest is in nonprofit work.
September 22, 2025
Great companion
This book explained what not to do very well,as to why I said companion. This is not step by step how to, but how not to. It points out that legal services are necessary, and arms you a lot of items to consider and prepare before starting and keeping everything in place. I highly recommend for those starting or newly started nonprofit.
This book explained what not to do very well,as to why I said companion. This is not step by step how to, but how not to. It points out that legal services are necessary, and arms you a lot of items to consider and prepare before starting and keeping everything in place. I highly recommend for those starting or newly started nonprofit.
June 16, 2025
Great information
Great information for those not familiar with the subject. The author presents the information in a readable manner. I was able to read this book over the weekend and will refer back to the advice given here when needed.
Great information for those not familiar with the subject. The author presents the information in a readable manner. I was able to read this book over the weekend and will refer back to the advice given here when needed.
November 23, 2018
Good read
Very informative and an easy read. Would highly suggest before you go down the 501c3 road. Good resources and links
Very informative and an easy read. Would highly suggest before you go down the 501c3 road. Good resources and links
December 22, 2021
Great book.
It was an easy read and filled with amazing information. I finished the book in three hours. It's a must read if you are thinking about forming a nonprofit.
It was an easy read and filled with amazing information. I finished the book in three hours. It's a must read if you are thinking about forming a nonprofit.
October 10, 2024
A wonderful, simply written explanation of how to start a non-profit by a non-profit attorney who started a non-profit as a college student and made (almost) every mistake in the book, literally.
February 15, 2025
Clear and concise, giving quick action steps! Really happy with this read
December 15, 2025
after reading this, I started a 501c3 that kinda ruined my life -- but it wasn't really the book's fault so 4/5
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews