How to Start a Nonprofit Organization

If you’re planning on starting a non-profit organization, you’ll need to file a bit of paperwork in order to get going. In many ways, starting a non-profit is just like starting any other business. In fact, the process of starting a non-profit is arguably more strenuous than starting a regular business because of the added steps required to obtain tax exempt status.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• legal forms
• business plan

1. Choose and register a name for your non-profit organization. Make sure the name you want to use is available and then file for a trademark in order to legally protect your name.

2. Establish the legal status of your organization through through the process of incorporation. See the resources section for more information on this step.

3. Apply for tax exempt status with the IRS. The IRS provides for tax exemption in 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

4. Apply for state and local tax exempt status. Depending on your state, you may be exempt from property tax and sales tax.

Tips & Warnings

• You may have to wait a little while to get all your applications approved.

Resources

• How to Incorporate
• Registering Your Business Name
• IRS Exemption Requirements

[omghow]

on 11/27/2009 Thanks for sharing how to start a non profit organizations.

[ashfeather]

on 5/29/2009 Great ideas. I love the diversity of your articles. Very useful!

[cygnetbrown]

on 5/27/2009 Thanks for the tips about how to start a Nonprofit Organization. It is also possible to umbrella a not-for- profit organization under another all ready established not-for-profit organization.

[sunshine11219]

on 5/1/2009 simple and to the point article on starting a non profit organization