Business Resources

Small Business Administration (SBA) Learning Center

Whether you're looking to start a small business or expand your current one, SBA's digital learning platform has everything you need to educate yourself on entrepreneurial best practices and available financing options. The SBA online Learning Center offers the following courses:

 1.   Plan

·         How to Write a Business Plan

·         Legal Requirements

·         Buying a Business

·         Young Entrepreneurs

2.   Launch

• Financing Your Business

• Introduction to Pricing

• High Tech Products

3.   Manage

·         Employee Recruitment and Retention

·         Understanding Your Customer

·         Sales

·         Selling Your Business

4.   Market

·         Market Research

·         Marketing 101

·         Competitive Advantage

·         Social Media Marketing

5.   Grow

·         Finding and Attracting Investors

·         Pricing Models for Successful Business

6.   SBA Mentor – Protégé Program

·         Introduction

·         Small Businesses: Size Standards and More

·         SBA MPP Overview

·         SBA MPP Rules

·         SBA MPP Types of Assistance

·         SBAS MPP Benefits

·         What is a Mentor-Protégé Agreement?

·         How to Find a Good Mentor

·         Joint Venture Agreements

·         Applying to the SBA MPP

·         SBA MPP Resources

·         Tutorial Wrap Up

7.   Federal Procurement Readiness

·         Government As Your Customer

·         Government Contracting Opportunities

·         Government Subcontracting Opportunities

·         Set-Aside Certifications

·         Federal Solicitations

·         General Services Administration Contracts

·         Wrap Up

For more information, go to the SBA Learning Center at https://learn.sba.gov/dashboard. 

Form1023 .Org

How to Start a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit in the USA

If you have a thriving business and feel motivated to give back to the community, you may want to consider starting a separate nonprofit organization. A nonprofit organization is any legal entity which has been incorporated under the law of its jurisdiction for purposes other than making profits for its owners or shareholders.

A 501(c) organization is a nonprofit organization in the federal law of the United States according to Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 501(c)) and includes 29 types of nonprofit organizations exempt from some federal income taxes. Section 501(c)(3) is the portion of the US Internal Revenue Code that allows for federal tax exemption of nonprofit organizations that are considered public charities, private foundations or private operating foundations. Purposes of 501(c)(3) organizations must include one or more of the following:

• relief of the poor, the distressed, or the underprivileged;

• advancement of religion;

• advancement of education or science;

• erecting or maintaining public buildings, monuments, or works;

• lessening the burdens of government;

• lessening neighborhood tensions;

• eliminating prejudice and discrimination;

• defending human and civil rights secured by law; and

• combating community deterioration and juvenile delinquency.

The process for applying for 501(c)(3) status may seem overwhelming. However, another nonprofit, Form1023.org, can help. It provides the instructions along with the forms and templates that you will need. The downloads are free, but a $35 donation would be appreciated. For more information, go to https://form1023.org. 

Compete For Grants

  A distinctive provision of 501(c)(3) organization is that donations to it are tax exempt for the donors. It can also receive grants from other 501(c)(3)’s. Competition for grants is a multibillion-dollar-a-year business.

  The University of Northern Colorado has developed “A Guide to Proposal Planning and Writing” for grant seekers. You can download a copy at https://www.unco.edu/research/pdf/grant-writing-websites-docs/developing-and-writing-proposals/miner.pdf. 

Also, the Grantsmanship Center, located in Los Angeles, CA, offers in-person and online training for grant seekers. For information on the 5 day Grantsmanship Course, visit https://www.tgci.com/training/grantsmanship-training-program-5-day.

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