FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Please visit our Starting a Nonprofit webpage for a list of resources with detailed steps and contact information. The Center does not assist with setting up new nonprofit organizations. Please see our vendor directory, Business Finder, for providers of that service.

The Center does not make grants or dispense funds. Please see the Center's Member Directory to search for local foundations in your region of the state. Additional resources can be found at GrantStation. GrantStation offers a free weekly newsletter filled with the latest national and regional funding opportunities for nonprofits including upcoming federal deadlines that will assist the serious grantseeker. GrantStation also gives grantseekers the ability to find new grant opportunities, build a strong grants strategy, and write powerful proposals by making use of their databases, planning tools, and step-by-step tutorials.

Membership is only offered to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations operating in North Carolina. However, other 501(c) organizations (e.g. 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(6) nonprofits), academic institutions, and government agencies can become Associates. Private sector organizations can become Business Sustainers.

Member nonprofits can request pro bono assistance on legal, accounting, marketing, human resources, executive transition, and professional coaching issues through our Pro Bono Programs. The Center's staff do not provide consultations; however, our volunteer consultants help our Members in their expertise areas. Members can also search our Resource Library by topic or keyword for resources, articles, samples, and checklists, or request specific resources through Member Assistance. Non-Members can browse for paid services offered to nonprofits in our vendor directory.

Member Assistance is a popular service and is set up as a voicemail system so that inquiries can be fairly responded to in the order they are received, typically within 24 to 48 hours. To receive a full and complete answer to your inquiry, please give adequate detail of your issue in the voicemail.

On the registration checkout page, type the code in the box, and then click apply coupon. Please double-check your amounts before finalizing your purchase.

Discounts must be taken when you register. Partial refunds will not be issued for missed or unapplied discount codes.

As we provide a recording and handouts, we do not offer refunds for virtual events/webinars.

We're sorry, the pay by check option is only available for membership purchases and renewals. All  events and webinars must be purchased online with a credit card.

We encourage you to find another staff or board member who can utilize the second registration. If an additional registrant cannot be found, cancellations must be received in writing to Jen O'Loughlin and will be subject to a 12% administrative fee for each registration cancelled.

Discounts must be taken when you register. Partial refunds will not be issued for missed or unselected member discounts.

Registrants who are not able to attend an in-person event are encouraged to substitute someone to attend in their place. If a substitute cannot be found, cancellations must be received in writing to Jen O'Loughlin and will be subject to a 12% administrative fee for each registration cancelled. Refunds will not be given for no-shows.

Registration is not complete until payment is received and confirmed by our staff. Confirmation may take 2-3 business days. We appreciate your patience.

The Internal Revenue Service compiles the Tax Exempt Organization Search feature to help users find information about a tax-exempt organization’s federal tax status and filings. This resource can provide lists of the following: 1) organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions, 2) automatically revoked organizations, 3) IRS determination letters dated on or after January 1, 2014, 4) Form 990-series returns and 5) organizations that have filed a Form 990-N (e-Postcard). Also, the IRS Exempt Organization Business Master File Extract (EO BMF) includes cumulative information on exempt organizations. The data are extracted monthly and are available by state and region. The files are in comma separated value (CSV) format and can be opened by most computer applications including Excel.

In addition, you can gather information on nonprofit organizations from the North Carolina Secretary of State and Candid's GuideStar. For a view of our current Members, please visit our Member Directory. The Center does not sell or distribute our Member organizations' contact information.

To find opportunities in your community, search our Member Directory by city or region and contact local nonprofits directly. Other helpful resources include VolunteerMatch.org, Idealist.org, HandsOn Network, and ActivateGood.org.

Businesses can support our work by becoming Sustainers. There are varying Sustainer levels with corresponding increases in benefits. Businesses may also promote their services to our Members through sponsorship and direct marketing opportunities.
 

Our News & Communications page lists our media contacts to whom you can send your contact information and the topic and deadline for your inquiry.

If you have a user login on the Center's website but have forgotten your password, go to the Login page and click the "Forgot Password?" link, then  submit your email address.

If the site recognizes your information, you'll receive email instructions with a link to reset your password (be sure to check your Junk or Spam folder, and mark our emails as safe).

If the site does not recognize your information or you haven't yet created an account, go to Create a New Account and complete the form. You'll then be able to log into the website immediately.

If you belong to a current Member nonprofit and selected your organization when  creating a new account, then your organization's Group Administrator will receive an email to approve your affiliation. Once they have approved your request, you'll have access to Members-only sections of the website.

Org Admins are designated staff of Member organizations who have permission to "Manage Users".  They receive notification emails when new staff request to be affiliated with their organization and access membership benefits. (i.e. if new users pick their Org name when creating a new account). 

From their "For You" - View my Account" menu option they can also use the "Manage Users" button to approve staff contacts access to membership benefits, promote staff contacts to Org Admins, and remove staff contacts from accessing benefits . Initially, each organization has one Org Admin, typically the Executive Director/CEO.

Org Admins (aka Profile Editors) can review and update the organization's profile information from For You - View My Account menu option (located at the top right of every page after login).

1. From the My Profile page, click the Edit Organization link and update the form fields as needed.

To add or remove staff access to your organization's benefits

IMPORTANT: If the staff does not have a user account, have them go to the Login page and click the Create an  account link.  Only then will they be listed below.

1. Go to the For You - View My Account menu option
2. Click the Manage Users button, then the Edit button next to the staff's name.
3. Change the "State" of the staff user:

• Active - the user can access the member benefits of this organization.
• Pending - the user has requested membership via the Create an account page and is awaiting your approval.
• Blocked - the user can not access the member benefits of this organization.

First, you will need to log in to your account on our website and be sure you are viewing your "My Profile" page, found by clicking on "For You" (top right of the website) and clicking on "View My Account" from the dropdown menu.

1. On "My Profile" user profile, click on the "Renew Membership" button
2. If you are a designated account administrator, you will be prompted to continue with membership renewal (steps 3 & 4 below).
   *If you are not a designated account administrator, you will see an error message with instructions to contact us so we may authorize administrator privileges that will allow you to renew membership on behalf of your organization.
3. Select the correct renewal option from the dropdown menu and add it to your shopping cart
4. Proceed to payment

See also: Renewing Your Membership (tutorial)

Note: If you do not have a user account on our website or are having trouble logging in, please refer to the "How do I login to this website" tab on our FAQ page. 

Please use the main menu “Search" looking glass icon to find any content on the site. 

To find any event use the Events – Training Calendar main menu option. 

To find any job posting use the Nonprofit Careers – Search Job Postings main menu option. 

To find current member information use the Members – Membership Directory main menu option. 

To find a vendor or consultant who works with nonprofits use the Supporters – Business Finder main menu option. 

To find an article, publication, downloadable pdf or other multi-media resource use the Resources – Resource Library main menu link. 

To find a public policy information use the Public Policy – Articles & Analysis main menu option. 

To find information on the Center, checkout the About section in the footer area. 

Still can’t find the content? Please contact us.