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Nonprofit Association of Washington
We convene a powerful network of nonprofit organizations across Washington State to learn, advocate, and collaborate, so that nonprofits can achieve their missions.
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Membership in NAWA
Nonprofit Association of Washington (NAWA) is a membership organization. Being a member of NAWA makes your organization stronger, and your dues and active involvement make our shared work possible.
NAWA is a tireless advocate for the nonprofit sector and is trusted by legislators and nonprofits around the state. We provide crucial trainings, materials, and other learning opportunities to expand the skills and knowledge of you and your team. NAWA is also a reliable resource for best practices for nonprofits and our expansive member discount programs will save your organization time and money. Join today and take advantage of all of these member benefits!
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Upcoming Events
Whether you are a nonprofit staff member, board member, Executive Director, or volunteer, NAWA has events for you! We offer over 150 learning and networking opportunities a year to help you gain the knowledge, skills, and connections you and your organization need to succeed. Register for an upcoming event today!
View Event Calendar
The Washington State Nonprofit Conference (WSNC) is the largest gathering of nonprofits in the state bringing together nonprofit leaders to learn, connect, and inspire. This year’s Washington State Nonprofit Conference will be online May 6-7 with in-person regional WSNC locations in Tacoma (Monday, May 11) and Spokane (Friday, May 15). Powerful keynote speakers, memorable workshops, and invaluable connections await!
Learn More about WSNC
Pullman: 2026 Palouse Family Fair Walk & Roll
April 25, 2026
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Community Engagement
Wenatchee: Fundamentos de la defensa de intereses
April 29, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Free
Purchase Now
- 17 Places Left
Advocacy
Spanish
Moses Lake: Boards in Gear
April 29, 2026
9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Free
Purchase Now
- 38 Places Left
Boards in Gear
event
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Nonprofit FAQs
Have a question about your nonprofit? NAWA is here to help! Chose your question below for specific information and resources. For more resources, make sure to check out our
Learning Library
and visit our
Event Calendar
to see upcoming learning events.
Important Note:
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or technical advice. If you are unsure about anything covered in this Nonprofit FAQ section, we suggest that you contact the appropriate agency or seek professional advice.
General questions about running a nonprofit?
Our Nonprofit Fundamental series is a collection of online guides focused on different topics. They are designed to
strengthen your organization’s performance and decision-making. If you prefer, we also offer in-person and virtual trainings on these topics. Information about these trainings can be found on our
Nonprofits Fundamentals page
or on our
Event Calendar
Check out the guides:
Boards in Gear
Finance Unlocked for Nonprofits
Let’s Go Legal
Strategic Planning in Nonprofits
How do I start a nonprofit?
Here are some resources from both NAWA and our partners:
Our
Starting a Nonprofit guide
invites you and your group to think about the difference you seek to make and the ideal structure to move forward.
If you decide to move forward with starting a nonprofit, the Starting a Nonprofit guide, along with the
Washington Nonprofit Handbook
, provides information around compliance and practices that support becoming an operational organization.
The National Council of Nonprofits has their own guide on
how to start a nonprofit
Communities Rise
offers monthly legal clinics for Washington nonprofits who would not otherwise have access to legal services. Types of legal issues addressed at clinics may include general questions about incorporation and federal tax-exempt status under IRS Code sec. 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4)
Want to convert an LLC to a nonprofit? The Washington Office of the Secretary of State has information to do
business entity conversion
How do I dissolve my nonprofit?
Here are some resources by both NAWA and our partners:
Our
Dissolving a Nonprofit guide
takes you through the decision-making and actions involved in closing down a nonprofit organization. The guide provides guidance on the key compliance steps as well as information on how to manage communication and community outreach in a way that honors your nonprofit’s legacy.
If you decide to move forward with dissoving, the
Washington Nonprofit Handbook
provides information around compliance and practices that support dissolving your organization.
HR or Finance Quick Consult with 501 Commons
may be a good option to discuss specific items related to dissolution.
The National Council of Nonprofits has their own guide on
how to dissolve a nonprofit
Looking for a professional service or 1:1 advice for your nonprofit?
For consultants or other specialty services:
Check out our
NAWA Business Member Directory
501 Commons has a
Nonprofit Specialists Directory
and offers
free 30-minute advisory sessions
for nonprofits.
For legal questions,
Communities Rise
provides free monthly legal clinics for Washington nonprofits who would not otherwise have access to legal services. Certain nonprofits may be eligible to receive extended legal services on more complex legal matters.
Does NAWA offer fiscal sponsorship?
NAWA does not currently offer fiscal sponsorships.
Questions about fiscal sponsorship? Please review the
Fiscal Sponsorship Toolkit
by Communities of Opportunity and Communities Rise and the
Fiscal Sponsorship Guide
by the National Council of Nonprofits.
Below is a list of organizations that may offer fiscal sponsorship:
Evergreen Social Impact
RVC
Seattle Parks Foundation
Shunpike
Cascadia Now
Community Enrichment for Klickitat County
Tides Center
How do I register for an event?
Here are the steps to register for a NAWA learning event:
Navigate to the event you would like to attend through our
Events Calendar
Click the plus sign in the tickets box to add tickets to your cart.
A button that says “get tickets” will appear once you have added one or more tickets. Click on this button to continue to check out.
The first page will have you enter the attendee information for the person or people attending the event.
If applicable, the next page will collect billing information. On this page, you have the opportunity to enter a coupon code. For events where there are discount codes available for NAWA Members, those codes can be found on the
Member Resources Page
Once registered, you will receive an order confirmation email to the billing email address, and each attendee will receive a ticket email. Check your Spam folder if you don’t see it in your inbox.
You may also watch
a video tutorial
if you prefer a visual aid or reference our
Event Registration FAQ page
Want to advertise your company or event?
If you want to raise awareness for your company:
Become a
Business Member
of NAWA.
For more information on the different tiers and benefits, look at our
business member benefit chart
If you want to advertise in our monthly newsletter:
Look at our
Connector Ad Pricing
document to determine what ad tier you want.
Email our Communications Team (
[email protected]
) to secure your spot.
Have a specific question that wasn’t answered above?
If you are a member of NAWA, p
lease reach out to
[email protected]
. NAWA members have access to a complimentary 15-minute consultation with a NAWA staff person about specific nonprofit questions. Not a member? Learn how to
become a member
For other questions, reach out to
[email protected]
Newsletter sign up
Sign up to receive NAWA’s monthly e-newsletter, The Connector, and our emails filled with upcoming trainings, valuable networking opportunities, and important policy updates.
Newsletter Sign Up
News
Stay up to date with the latest news from Nonprofit Association of Washington.
The Connector Newsletter | April 2026
April 21, 2026
Building for the Future: What Your Organization Should Consider Before Starting Your Capital Project
April 19, 2026
Let’s be honest: most nonprofit leaders don’t dream about building codes, HVAC tonnage, or the nuances of construction ...
The Connector | March 2026
March 17, 2026
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Nonprofit Association of Washington works within the unceded territories of many Northwest Native nations across what is now Washington State. Our main office in Seattle is on the traditional land of the Duwamish Tribe and other Coast Salish nations. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Native Peoples past and present who call it home.
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Join us at the 2026 Washington State Nonprofit Conference
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