This lengthy guide introduces tax-exemption status for non-profit organizations. Read this if you contemplate establishing a not-for-profit organization.

Laws require corporations, as legal entities owning property, entering contracts, and assuming debt, have a governing board of directors, accountable as a fiduciary to its shareholders, members, or the public. These governing boards organize and operate according to articles of incorporation, bylaws, resolutions, and policies, oversee corporate purpose and plans, select and supervise management, ensure sufficient resources for the organization, and ensure compliance with laws and regulations. This linked page outlines and links many more pages covering governance and policy; roles and responsibilities; operations and systems; accountability and ethics; staffing, compensation, communications and the issues of running an organization. It also covers director training as a comprehensive overview and exemplar of how boards should work. The scope and volume of information make it suitable for a weekend workshop with additional homework in addition to a checklist and toolkit enroute to introducing best practices.

“We are not really a foundation [like the Gates Foundation]. It’s a bit of a 501(c)3, a bit of a C corp, and a bit of an academic environment. I can play more of the keys on the keyboard. A 501(c)3 can’t lobby. A 501(c)3 can’t invest in a company or build an industry. [From Google we get] 1% of the equity, 1 percent of the profits, and 1 percent of the people go into Google.org. The most important asset isn’t money, it’s people. One percent of the people means 60 or 70 of the smartest people in the world trying to solve some of the biggest problems in the world.” —Larry Brilliant, Google.org —in http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.07/brilliant.html

PolicyLink, a non-profit dedicated to fostering best practices and cultivating resources for buillding social capital and social enterprise, surveys financing and ownership models for cooperatives. This guide links many other organizations and programs for specific help.

Incorporating a not-for-profit in New York isn't all that difficult. It doesn't require a lawyer, though ability to understand thick layers of instructions and experience help. This guide answers frequently asked questions, provides instructions for a sample Certificate of Incorporation, and information about fees.

An index and sections 1–134 of the Cooperative Corporations Law in New York state: unfortunately each sections opens in its own page, even though some sections are just one sentence.

Interesting jobs in the arts with decent pay and benefits seldom come easily. I suppose these will have plenty of candidates.