setting up a non-profit organization?

[cellio]

Do any of my readers have experience (or specific knowledge of) setting up a non-profit corporation in the US? I have questions.

Is incorporation a matter of paperwork that I can do, or do I need to hire a professional? If the latter, what kind of professional am I looking for? Are there referral services, and do they include people who'll consult for a discounted rate or pro bono for a non-profit?

What decisions need to be made before starting the process? A statement of purpose (articles of incorporation)? Bylaws? A slate of officers and/or a board? What are good resources for creating those founding documents, to make sure we dot all the "i"s and cross all the "t"s?

We intend to solicit donations, so we'll want to apply for tax-exempt status (501(c)3, I assume). I think that's a separate step?

What thoughts do we need to be thinking early on about exposure to liability?

I am, if you haven't guessed, talking about Codidact.

Comments

[madfilkentist]

Do you know Ellen Kranzer? She did most of the work setting up MASSFILC as a 501(c)(3) and is an expert on such things. She's not for hire, but she could offer some good advice. If you like, I can help to get you in touch with her. I'll have to ask her permission first, since she's very busy.

[cellio]

I know of her but do not know her. If you'd be willing to check with her and (if she agrees) make an introduction, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

[madfilkentist]

I've sent her an email.

[jducoeur]

Oh, interesting -- I also have an organization that I think needs to transition to 501(c)3, and I do know Ellen. I'll have to drop her a note, once I have time to breathe...

[(Anonymous)]

There's always gov orgs to help out

eg
https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-resources/how-start-nonprofit
and
https://www.usa.gov/start-nonprofit

and then apply for a grant, linked to on that last url.

[(Anonymous)]

I've been on the board of a nonprofit and also was on the board of an org considering going nonprofit. Nolo Press has a terrific book on the subject (likely more than one) and I highly recommend getting it (either buy it or get it from the library to start). This is much better than trying to figure it out from scratch. It will explain the basics like how 501(c)3 is a type of nonprofit (and the appropriate one here) and what you need to get it.

You'll want to pull together a board first. It can be an interim board. Boards do not have to be elected either now or later, depending on how you set up the bylaws.

The process of incorporating is not hard but it is time consuming. I haven't done it and don't don't remember all the steps (that's what the book is for!) but none of the steps are arduous.

I can't seem to comment here except as anon (since I don't know what OpenID is and don't have a Dreamwidth account).
Cyn

[cellio]

Thanks Cyn!

Anonymous comments are screened (because of spammers and trolls); sorry for the confusion that caused. Your comment is visible now.

OpenID is a way of using identities across sites, like using your Google identity to log in to Dreamwidth. Some people do that, some people create DW accounts, and some people comment anonymously and wait for me to unscreen the comment. It's all good.