I'm asking in reference to an existing non profit private school. The problem is: although we are already non-profit, we are not legally certified as a non profit organization. How do I go about certifying the school as a non-profit organization? What paper work do I need? Who do I send it to? Is there a website that applies to my situation and can help?
I'm completely ignorant in regards to this subject, so please be clear and specific!
Thanks!!!! I'm assuming you mean in the USA
Starting a Nonprofit Organization
http://www.managementhelp.org/strt_org/s... (one of my favorite resources)
Starting a Non-Profit
Checklist- The Things You Must Do to Start a Nonprofit Organization
http://www.ctnonprofits.org/pages/NonPro...
Starting a Nonprofit Organization - How to Start a Nonprofit http://nonprofit.about.com/od/nonprofitb...
How to Start a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization
http://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-501c3-Non...
Before you file any paperwork, you need to get a very impassioned group of people together who support your idea and will provide some start up funding and serve on the board of directors, you need to get letters of endorsement from existing organizations saying this program is needed, you need to have data that shows your target group is in need whatever service it is that you want to provide and that they are not served otherwise, and you need to have a draft of what your first year's budget would look like (what expenses you expect to incur, what you expect to pay staff, etc.)
The mission of your organization would be to serve whom? How? Why? Nonprofit incorporation is very similar to creating a regular corporation except that a nonprofit must take the extra steps of applying for tax-exempt status with the state in which it incorporates and with the IRS.
The following steps should be taken :-
Please find out whether your company's name is legally available in your state.
File your "articles of incorporation," and pay a filing fee.
Apply for federal and state tax exemptions.
Create bylaws that will dictate how the corporation is run.
Hold a meeting of the board of directors and pass a resolution to get your organization registered as non profit.
Apply for any licenses or permits that your corporation will need to operate in your state and local municipality.
In order to qualify for tax-exempt (501c3) status , you should create a concept paper and document your ideas with the structure for the organization you propose and you must share your concept with like minded persons and involve them as initial founders.
Next step would be to contact an attorney to assist you in preparing incorporation filings in your state. After your organization in incorporated, obtain an employer ID number, and apply for 501c3 tax-exempt status with the IRS.
. Call your local Chamber of Commerce - ask them. It's easier getting help to do this - and they're free.
Your local SBA (small business administration) - find through your chamber - knows exactly what you need for your state/city. They're there for you - also free.
It's a lot of paperwork - this is one of those times where getting it done right the first time is very important. You don't want to find out you missed steps from the IRS. Happy Saturday,
Before you begin any filing, or enlisting the services of anyone else, please do your research. Yes, there are many sites out there to tell you how; but are there any other organizations providing the very same type of service that you want to offer and could you partner with them, if your program is just a little big different.
Checklists abound. But you are about to enter a field with 1.6 million other nonprofits. Let me repeat that. 1.6 million other organizations. How are you going to position yourself differently when asking for the $295 billion that was distributed during 2006? What will make you do very different and so very worthy to receive my money as a donation?
SBA and Chambers of Commerce are not free. They may direct you to others for free but they cost - even if it's nominal.
Go to guidestar.org and insert the topic of the program you want to offer. If it's health care in California, insert that. If it's childcare in Minnesota, insert that; autistic children in Wisconsin; arts and culture, wherever. By going to guidestar, you will be able to determine how many other organizations are out there offering that service. If you type in your state's name, you should be able to see how many are in the state, that have registered properly. (a critical piece)
I have a great resource page on my website that speaks about the business angles of running a nonprofit, most important of which, all of your financial dealings will be available to the general public.
If you are granted a nonprofit exemption from the IRS, then you must use the money towards the intended programs. Along with the rights for you to be tax exempt, comes the responsibility to report your spendings in a public manner.
Guidestar posts all of those reports through annual tax returns.
Good luck on your very ambitious undertakings.
Best success,
Kayte |
