The following table depicts the important steps required to register
your new nonprofit. These steps are also mentioned across many
of the checklists referenced above. These steps also assume that
you chose not to seek
Fiscal
Sponsorship.
|
activity |
comment |
for help |
|
draft mission statement |
draft a brief mission statement that describes the charitable
purpose of your new organization; your board should soon review
it during strategic planning and authorize the statement |
here |
|
recruit board members |
(if you plan to incorporate in your state) recruit at least enough
board members to meet state requirements for a corporate board
(contact state attorney's office); if you don't plan to incorporate,
consider an informal advisory board to help guide you |
here |
|
get a lawyer |
to help you file articles of incorporation (if you plan to incorporate),
application to IRS for tax-exemption (if you plan to seek exemption
from federal taxes); you can do most of the work yourself, but
at least have a lawyer review the materials before submission;
will eventually need special expertise to review personnel policies |
here |
|
get banker and bank account |
get a bank account; seek bank that understands needs of new,
small nonprofit |
here |
|
get accountant |
get an accountant or other finance expert to help you set up
basic bookkeeping system; when you get a board treasurer, then
he/she can be very helpful in this regard |
here |
|
get insurance agent |
you may need liability insurance, property insurance, and when
you hire staff: worker's compensation, health and life insurance
benefits, etc. |
here |
|
draft articles of incorporation and get board approval |
these specify legal description of your organization and power
to the board; you'll need to draft these only if you plan to
file for incorporation with your state; the Board should approve
the Articles before submission |
here |
|
draft bylaws and get board approval |
these specify how the board will operate and configure the staff;
some states require these; some of this information will be in
the Articles if you file Articles; the board should approve the
bylaws |
here |
|
file for incorporation with state |
register for incorporation including submitting your drafted
and approved Articles (if you plan to incorporate); may need
to submit bylaws, too; also find out what various reports the
state wants from nonprofits |
secretary of state or secretary of commerce |
|
file for federal tax-exempt with IRS |
apply for tax-exempt status (to be exempt from paying federal
taxes); board should approve this filing before submission; |
here |
|
get state tax exemption from state |
once you get IRS exemption, file for any state tax exemptions |
state attorney, attorney general or secretary of commerce |
|
get property tax exemption from city |
once you get IRS exemption, file for any state tax exemptions |
local city tax assessor |
|
get solicitation license |
if you plan to solicit funds, your city may require a solicitation
license |
local city offices |
|
get mail permit |
this permit gives you a discount on bulk mailings |
local post office |
|
get federal employer number |
(do this once you start to hire employees) get federal employer
number to withhold income and FICA (once you hire employees) |
secretary of state, secretary of commerce |
|
get unemployment insurance req's |
do this once you start to hire employees |
secretary of state, secretary of commerce |
Posted on
Thu, December 10, 2009
by Doug Snyder