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What is a Nonprofit Organization?
The difference between non-profit and for-profit organizations is that non-profits use their profits to advance their programs, while for-profits
distribute their profits to their owners or stockholders. A non-profit organization can be a trade association, social club, a political group or a
governmental group. What we will be concentrating on are
501(c)(3) organizations, which are charitable groups.
What Are the First Steps to Starting a Nonprofit Organization?
Before we move down our check-list, let's look at the basic first steps you need to do when starting your non-profit organization:
Obviously, all of these steps won't be completely necessary if you're organization is mostly electronic (on-line), but it gives you an idea of what's
involved. You also may need a lawyer eventually, but you can do most of this set-up work without any legal assistance. Part of your support
team should also include a CPA who understands and specializes in non-profit tax law. Someone you can trust with the financial interests of
your organization.
Feeling overwhelmed yet? Don't be. Just take your time and go through each step carefully. Yes, it's time consuming, but when it's all finished,
you'll be very thankful you did it the right way in the beginning, instead of having to go back later and "fix" some things. (Yes, I'm speaking from
personal experience!)
You can get more detailed information on each of the basic steps for starting a nonprofit organization on the
SNPO website. After you join, you have access to a wealth of information, articles, books and much more! You also get the SNPO magazine,
"Nonprofit World"!
More Help! (Incorporation)
Ok, I'm very blessed to have Becky as such a wonderful partner! (she filled out and filed all the paperwork!) However, if I didn't have Becky, there
is NO WAY I would have done all that paperwork! So here's another option. The Company Corporation has been helping people with these
matters since 1899. They fill out and file all the paperwork for you, and at a VERY reasonable cost! And you can file on-line! When you go to
their website to file your paperwork, make sure you're filing for a "non-profit" corporation. They file for all types of corporations, and filing for non-
profit status is the least expensive! So after you use your SNPO membership to research and gather all your non-profit information, visit The
Company Corporation and let them do the filling and filing for you! (remember, you can write it off on your taxes!) We used The Company
Corporation to file God's Will Ministries Inc. with our state as a non-profit organization.
Click on the banner below and get started TODAY!
Applying for 501c status- Using a service to file for FEDERAL NP status can be a costly proposition. LINKSNET (left) (Links2Charity) is by far
one the BEST 501c preparers I've come across. Their prices are very reasonable, they're fast, AND they guarantee IRS approval 100% or you
get a complete refund!
Click on the banner to visit Linksnet and start the process.
The difference between non-profit and for-profit organizations is that non-profits use their profits to advance their programs, while for-profits
distribute their profits to their owners or stockholders. A non-profit organization can be a trade association, social club, a political group or a
governmental group. What we will be concentrating on are
501(c)(3) organizations, which are charitable groups.
What Are the First Steps to Starting a Nonprofit Organization?
Before we move down our check-list, let's look at the basic first steps you need to do when starting your non-profit organization:
- Define your organization's purpose and write a mission statement.
- Form a board of directors. (This also covers part of the "support" step on your checklist.
- File articles of incorporation.
- Write your organization's bylaws, or the rules you will adhere to.
- Apply for nonprofit status from the IRS. (See Linksnet info and link below)
- Register your organization with the state. (See The Company Corporation info and link below)
- Apply for a solicitation license from your city. Check to see if your city requires you to have such a license before you can solicit funds.
- Apply for sales tax exemption from your state.
- Apply for nonprofit bulk mail permit from your post office.
- Obtain liability insurance, including Directors' and Officers' (or D & O) insurance. (D & O liability insurance is necessary to protect your
board members' assets.)
Obviously, all of these steps won't be completely necessary if you're organization is mostly electronic (on-line), but it gives you an idea of what's
involved. You also may need a lawyer eventually, but you can do most of this set-up work without any legal assistance. Part of your support
team should also include a CPA who understands and specializes in non-profit tax law. Someone you can trust with the financial interests of
your organization.
Feeling overwhelmed yet? Don't be. Just take your time and go through each step carefully. Yes, it's time consuming, but when it's all finished,
you'll be very thankful you did it the right way in the beginning, instead of having to go back later and "fix" some things. (Yes, I'm speaking from
personal experience!)
You can get more detailed information on each of the basic steps for starting a nonprofit organization on the
SNPO website. After you join, you have access to a wealth of information, articles, books and much more! You also get the SNPO magazine,
"Nonprofit World"!
More Help! (Incorporation)
Ok, I'm very blessed to have Becky as such a wonderful partner! (she filled out and filed all the paperwork!) However, if I didn't have Becky, there
is NO WAY I would have done all that paperwork! So here's another option. The Company Corporation has been helping people with these
matters since 1899. They fill out and file all the paperwork for you, and at a VERY reasonable cost! And you can file on-line! When you go to
their website to file your paperwork, make sure you're filing for a "non-profit" corporation. They file for all types of corporations, and filing for non-
profit status is the least expensive! So after you use your SNPO membership to research and gather all your non-profit information, visit The
Company Corporation and let them do the filling and filing for you! (remember, you can write it off on your taxes!) We used The Company
Corporation to file God's Will Ministries Inc. with our state as a non-profit organization.
Click on the banner below and get started TODAY!
Applying for 501c status- Using a service to file for FEDERAL NP status can be a costly proposition. LINKSNET (left) (Links2Charity) is by far
one the BEST 501c preparers I've come across. Their prices are very reasonable, they're fast, AND they guarantee IRS approval 100% or you
get a complete refund!
Click on the banner to visit Linksnet and start the process.
Non-Profit Help
Most of the information on this page is taken from the pages of the Society for Nonprofit Organizations.
By far, one the best things you can do is join the SNPO! All of the info you could ever want pertaining to your
not-for- profit questions and needs can be found on their website. It is a great resource for any charitable
organization, and their on-line membership is very inexpensive! (PLUS as a non-profit, you can write it off!)
So please read this information and then click on the banner below and join TODAY!
(This is NOT a sales pitch for the SNPO! I am completely sincere when I tell you it is a great tool
to have at your disposal!)
Most of the information on this page is taken from the pages of the Society for Nonprofit Organizations.
By far, one the best things you can do is join the SNPO! All of the info you could ever want pertaining to your
not-for- profit questions and needs can be found on their website. It is a great resource for any charitable
organization, and their on-line membership is very inexpensive! (PLUS as a non-profit, you can write it off!)
So please read this information and then click on the banner below and join TODAY!
(This is NOT a sales pitch for the SNPO! I am completely sincere when I tell you it is a great tool
to have at your disposal!)
| Fundraising and Finances are important steps on our list. Let's look briefly at some income sources and fundraising ideas: Introduction to Fundraising Ideas for Fundraising Accepting Donations and Payments Online |
