Contact Us > Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Thanks for taking the time to contact ICNL. We receive a number of inquiries every day. Since many of these inquiries are of a similar nature, below is a list of the most frequently asked questions for your reference. If your question is not answered here or elsewhere on www.icnl.org please submit a general inquiry.
| Does ICNL provide legal support to not-for-profits in the United States? | Answer |
| Does ICNL accept unsolicited requests for funding? | Answer |
| How do I start a non-profit organization in the United States? | Answer |
| What is the difference between "non-profit" and "not-for-profit”? | Answer |
| Where is ICNL located? | Answer |
| Is there a “Model Law” available? | Answer |
| How do you download materials from the Online Library? | Answer |
| Can I search through issues of the International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law? | Answer |
| How do I find a particular report or document within ICNL’s website? | Answer |
| Can I use the materials on the website in developing my own programs? | Answer |
General Information
Does ICNL provide legal support to not-for-profits in the United States?
No. ICNL supports the legal environment of civil society in developing and transition countries. We do not provide legal advice for forming a U.S. non-profit. However, we often work with U.S. organizations (including non-profits) that are active in civil society issues in these types of countries. To find out more about what ICNL does, visit our About Us and Programs pages.
Does ICNL accept unsolicited requests for funding?
ICNL is not in a position to fund or respond to unsolicited requests for financial assistance. From time to time ICNL hosts international Research Fellows under various donor initiatives. These opportunities are posted in our News section and/or in individual Program pages.
ICNL is an information resource and we do not offer financial support to individuals or organizations. However we always welcome partners for networking, information sharing, and other mission-related activities. Please contact us with any ideas you may have.
How do I start a non-profit organization in the United States?
ICNL is a research and education based organization that assists others in writing and developing good practices for non-governmental laws. It does not offer free attorney services, nor does it offer free assistance. However, ICNL does recommend the following excellent sources for information on creating non-profit organizations in the United States:
- The Non-Profit Handbook
by Gary M. Grobman - How to Form a Non-Profit Corporation
by Anthony Mancuso - The Complete Guide to Nonprofit Corporations: Step-By-Step Guidelines, Procedures and Forms to Maintain a Nonprofit Corporation
by Ted Nicholas
What is the difference between "non-profit" and "not-for-profit”?
The term "not-for-profit organization" (NFPO) is used as a broad-based term that encompasses all organizations that are known variously as charities, non-profits, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private voluntary organizations (PVOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), etc. "Not-for-profit" is used in preference to "non-profit" in order to emphasize that a defining criterion is the intention of the organization not to make profits for private gain. It is possible that such an organization will in fact make a profit from time to time, but that is not the principal purpose for which it is organized and operated. Nor is its purpose to distribute any portion of any profit for private gain. The major distinguishing characteristic between not-for-profit and for-profit organizations is that the former are governed by the principle of non-distribution.
Where is ICNL located?
To contact ICNL or one of our affiliates in the following locations, please follow these links:
Is there a “Model Law” available?
No. Designing and drafting laws that impact civil society are unique to the needs and culture of a particular country. One size does not fit all— ICNL believes in working with local stakeholders to design the most appropriate and beneficial laws for all parties. However, ICNL has a wealth of materials and handbooks available in our Online Library that provide the foundations and principles necessary to developing appropriate laws and regulations.
Technical Issues
How do you download materials from the Online Library?
Registration is required to download materials from our library, but it is free of charge and easy to do. Please visit here to register. Upon registration you may click on any file to view or save it to your computer.
All files are in Adobe PDF format only, free of charge for download here. If you are having difficulty opening any document please save it to your computer first, and then open in PDF from your computer. Should a file appear corrupted or inaccessible please email us with the exact name and country of the document.
Can I search through issues of the International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law?
We have a complete, searchable index of all issues of IJNL available here.
How do I find a particular report or document within ICNL’s website?
You may search the entire website’s contents here, or view our site map.
Copyright Issues
Can I use the materials on the website in developing my own programs?
ICNL’s materials are provided as a resource for all civil society actors; however ICNL maintains a copyright over all corporate materials as well as our organizational name and logo. If you would like to use our publications or cite us and/or any of our materials as an authoritative source, please contact us or see our Terms of Use.