NEW PODCAST LAUNCHED BY GRASSROOTS DC STAFF
HAPPY SPRING! We are pleased to announce the launch of a new podcast by the Grassroots DC team: Yet To Be Determined [YTBD]
Listen to Episode 1 now:
Don’t take our word for it. Seriously, don’t take our word for it.
We made some mistakes during the podcast. I said that we got help getting our 501c3 from George Washington University. In fact, Grassroots DC got help from Georgetown Universities Social Enterprise and Nonprofit Law Clinic to get our 501c3. They accept applications from nonprofits who need legal help with nonprofit formation and compliance in June for assistance starting September 2026.
I did in fact find our first grant opportunities at The Foundation Center, which was a physical location in the District of Columbia like a public library. The Foundation Center is now online and it’s called Candid. Don’t ask me why it’s called that but you can find it at Candid.org. Today, GrantStation (GrantStation.com) is probably better source for researching grants online, especially for small non-profits.
If you’re planning to start a nonprofit in the District of Columbia, start by reading these
DC Government Guide to starting a nonprofit - https://opgs.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/opgs/page_content/attachments/CED%20.pdf
DC Bar Pro Bono Center Guide to starting a nonprofit - https://www.nonprofitadvancement.org/files/2022/08/starting-a-nonprofit-in-dc-a-guide-12-2018.pdf
If you’re interested in getting that 501c3, the IRS has an online course that you might start with at https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/stay-exempt/applying-for-section-501c3-status-course
If you just want to know what kinds of nonprofits categories that the IRS recognizes—this came up in the podcast, and frankly, whatever I said came straight out of my ass—you can find that information here - https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organization-types
