FundraisingIP.com fundraising planners and checklists:

Forming A Non-Profit

Use this checklist as a guide to help you set up and file for legal recognition as a non-profit organization.

The steps to forming a non-profit organization are outlined here in sequential order.  Check off each job as it is completed.

 

Steps To Creating A Non-Profit:

 

Administrative Organization

• Set goals for your non-profit.  Clearly defined goals will be used to guide non-profit activities and will serve as an outline for the next step.

 

• Write a mission statement.  A mission statement will be needed for some documents and applications and will also be used as an organizational guide.

 

• Form a Board of Directors—needed to apply for non-profit (501(c)(3) status

 

• Elect officers for the Board of Directors

 

 

Professional Services

• Secure legal representation (paid or volunteer) to answer questions and help with legal filings.

 

• Decide on other professional services you may need (such as the help of an accountant, CPA, or your tax preparer)

 

 

 

Documentation & Filing

• Obtain necessary documents and applications

 

• Review applications and break down the tasks involved

 

• Reserve the name of your non-profit group

 

• Decide (with the Board) whether your group should be a corporation, charitable trust, or unincorporated association.  Consult legal representative as needed.

 

• Write Bylaws and/or Articles of Incorporation (by-laws may or may not be required as part of Articles—this differs by state, and your legal representative or application can tell you if this is needed)

 

• Collect all necessary documents for filing

 

• Complete incorporation documents

 

• File documents of incorporation

 

• Write a business plan to guide group activities, including fundraising activities for your non-profit

 

• Set an organizational budget, scheduling expenditures

 

• Apply for a Federal Identification Number, or EIN

 

• Apply for Federal Tax Exempt Status (file 501(c)(3))

 

• If required, file for state non-profit recognition

 

• If required/applicable, file for state tax exemption

 

 

Additional Notes

(Use this space for notes and questions you want to research or ask a professional.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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