The Nonprofit Navigator: Your Roadmap to Choosing the Ideal Legal Structure

Choosing your nonprofit’s legal structure shouldn’t feel like assembling IKEA furniture without the instructions.
This guide is your missing manual.

The Nonprofit Navigator walks you through the often confusing world of nonprofit legal structures in a straightforward, conversational way. Written specifically for founders and small-shop leaders, this 36-page guide breaks down the different structure options—like nonprofit corporations, trusts, unincorporated associations, cooperatives, and fiscal sponsorship—and shows you how to pick the one that actually fits your mission, size, and future goals.

You’ll get:

• An overview of the most common legal structures and how they impact operations and fundraising

• Real-talk comparisons (with pros and cons!) of each structure

• A step-by-step process to choose the best fit for your nonprofit

• Sample bylaws templates for different structure types

• A checklist to help you weigh funding, governance, and liability considerations

• A glossary of nonprofit legal terms so you’re not googling every paragraph

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Do I have to incorporate to get 501(c)(3) status?”

• “What even is a fiscal sponsor?”

• “Will this decision affect our fundraising?”

This guide will provide you with straightforward answers, free from legal jargon and full of encouragement.

Written by nonprofit mentor Alesha Mathis, The Nonprofit Navigator is part of her mission to make nonprofit startups easier and less overwhelming for founders. With experience supporting hundreds of new organizations, Alesha is familiar with the common legal pitfalls and knows how to avoid them. This guide pairs perfectly with the FORM Framework and other resources inside the Nonprofit Founder’s Club.

💬 RECOMMENDED FOR:

• Founders choosing their first legal structure

• Leaders evaluating whether their current structure still fits

• Anyone considering 501(c)(3) status but not sure how to get there