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Nonprofits addressing economic and social justice themes—in fact, virtually all nonprofits—ought to be familiar with the term. It was introduced by scholar and advocate Kimberle Williams Crenshaw in 1989 and it has its roots in civil rights activism and scholarship, and in the lives and lessons of DuBois, Douglass and Truth. And it’s turning up in the conversations between funders, community organizations and others who want to use grants to change the world.

MYTH: If I give a building, vehicle, computer, book I wrote, or whatever to the nonprofit and later close the nonprofit, I can just change the copyright, deed, or title back into my name again, or take the property back.

MYTH: I can use the money for my nonprofit for anything I want.

MYTH: I need a huge board of directors (or I don’t need a board at all, just me).

MYTH: I didn’t apply to IRS for 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status, so I don’t have to file Federal annual nonprofit tax returns.

MYTH: For my new nonprofit, I will put all family members on the board of directors, and we will control the organization.

MYTH: Nonprofits are not allowed to make a profit from their activities.

MYTH: I am going to convert my for-profit business to a nonprofit business.

MYTH: If we’re running our nonprofit efficiently, our overhead and administrative costs should be small.

MYTH: I am starting a foundation to give out school supplies to kids who cannot afford them. I can’t wait to see their little faces when I give them new backpacks and markers!