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Business Supplies Design

Starting aNonprofit

Improving the lives of others.

Do you have a great idea to improve the lives of others, but don’t know how to make your innovation a reality? Or, have you started the incorporation process, but are bogged down in the paperwork?

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We can guide you through the entire State and Federal 501c3 submission process for nonprofit status, including the 1023 form for submittal to the IRS.  We will meet with you and your Board to create and file the required:

  • Legal incorporation documents

  • Governance policies

  • Financial modeling and budgets

  • Fundraising procedures

  • Mission & Vision statements

  • Branding, Marketing, Print & Web collateral

Ribbon Cutting

Nonprofit Start-up Checklist

1. Articles of Incorporation/Organization/Association

  • What entity structure will you use?

  • Does your foundation document have proper nonprofit “purpose” language?

  • Does the founding document have the IRS-required clauses?

    • Activities limited to one or more exempt purposes

    • Not empowered to engage in activities that are not charitable

    • Proper dissolution language

2. Bylaws

  • Are the rules simple, and yet effective?

  • Will you and the rest of your organization (including the board) follow them?

  • Common considerations:

    • How many individuals will you have on your board?

    • Will there be an employee CEO or a volunteer staff?

    • Will you implement term limits?

    • Are there going to be nonprofit board committees?

3. Obtain a federal Employer ID Number (EIN)

4. Federal 501(c) Tax Exemption

  • Do you have a nonprofit business/programing plan?

  • Do you have a 4-year budget?

  • Are you an “EZ” charity (annual budget less than $50,000, among other requirements)?

  • Will you be sending funds internationally?

  • How to you intend to fundraise?

  • Will any of your directors be related?

5. Other (Often Required) Nonprofit Corporate Documents

  • Conflict of Interest policy

  • Whistleblower policy

  • Internal Control policy

  • Funds Management policy

  • Restricted Funds policy

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