Google It Later: Essential Nonprofit Terms Explained

Who hasn’t sat in a nonprofit meeting, nodding along confidently, when suddenly someone tosses out an acronym or buzzword you’ve never heard before? You quietly reach for your phone, discreetly googling under the table, hoping nobody notices your confusion. Don’t worry—you’re definitely not alone. Every nonprofit pro, at some point, has secretly searched terms like “capacity building,” “unrestricted funds,” or “logic model.”

This page is your safe haven: a straightforward introduction to nonprofit fundamentals, translating jargon, decoding unwritten expectations, and explaining standard operating procedures in plain language. Whether you’re new to nonprofit work or just brushing up on industry essentials, consider this your go-to guide—no stealth googling required.

If there’s something else you think should be included here, don’t hesitate to reach out to Chris Handberg at chris@thehandberggroup.com

American Nonprofit Academy Glossary - A massive glossary of nonprofit terms.

American Nonprofit Academy Code of Ethics for Fundraisers - Universally accepted standards for ethical fundraising.

Cash Flow Primer for Nonprofits - Video describing how to project funds and budget.

Demystifying Evaluation - Video detailing the steps to creating evaluation tools.

Glossary of Nonprofit & Community Foundation Terms - A great article highlighting standard nonprofit jargon and lingo specific to foundations and grants.

Nonprofit Speak 101 - Learn the Lingo - a great article highlighting standard nonprofit jargon.

Nonprofit Phrases we Love to Hate - A fun article describing common, overused phrases.