Given that everyone is saying that CSS rules ... what affordable software exists out that that a newbie like myself can use to develop a first time website for a non-profit org?
I have a copy of FrontPage 2002 ... I don't even see references to CSS in it - so I guess using it for my project is out of the question.
I have downloaded a 30 day Adobe Dreamweave CS3 ... but I have to
admit ...using it and editing CSS confuses the hell out of me.

Take this as lost soul searching for answers ...

1. What is the best program out there?
2. Now what is the best affordable program out there? (since it's for non-profit)
3. Are there any good references that can quickly launch someone up to speed on CSS (Links books etc.)?

what affordable software exists out that that a newbie like myself can use to develop a first time website for a non-profit org?

For coding ?? Notepad -- it's free. Before you think that's a flippant answer, I happen to believe that hand-coding is the best way to learn and get good at HTML and CSS (and scripting for that matter). Once you've got it down pat, then you can get better use from tools like Dreamweaver.

Having said that, I use TopStyle - it's a great tool, renders HTML and CSS CORRECTLY, color codes your tags and syntax for scripting, and has a bunch of nice features - all for under $100.

If you are looking for graphics software, GIMP is free; PaintShopPro is about $100. Photoshop is the industry standard, but it's pretty expensive.

Learning CSS - go to www.w3schools.org. I'd also get a book or two - Eric Myer's 2 books are excellent, and there's a really good book from SitePoint that I also highly recommend: http://www.sitepoint.com/books/css2/

You know what else is free, and better than Notepad? Notepad++!. It's like Notepad on steroids...and it's free! Free! Freedaddlydiddlydoodlyee! (Did I mention free?)

Seriously, you'll find Notepad++ a lot easier to work with because it color-codes your HTML for you as you go along so that you can spot stuff. That, Photoshop, and an FTP program (SmartFTP is free too!)

I'm not a big advocate of books because I find the information to be rather stagnant, but I'll second the w3schools.org vote and I'd also recommend checking out www.456bereastreet.com (this guy has a way of wording things so that everyone can understand) and www.mattcutts.com/blog (for really cool SEO advice and stuff...although somewhat dominated in comments by elitist SEOs who like to ***** at every little change Google likes to make).

Of course, come back in here and post often as you get stuck. LNR will probably help you with 99.99999% of the design stuff, with vangogh, chrishirst, Forrest, Learning Nowhere-Near-a-Newbie, st0x, willcode4beer, myself, and others will pick up the three or four scraps she leaves for the rest of us.)

Dreamweaver is pretty straight forward if you know your html. Front page might be a little easier. I just got dreamweaver cs3 yesterday, I guess adobe owns it now, but on the surface it looks the same as the others.
I havn't had any trouble removing extra dream code if it ever arises.