How do i start a non profit business whats the procedure

Question

i want to start a non profit organization what all do need to get started i have tax id what are some things i need please help i want to get things started asap

Answer 1

First off find out the local legal filings for your City and State.  Every State has a different filing for non-profits.  File all the paperwork with the IRS for running a non-profit.  The form is long and you need to be precise with your information.  If not they will kick it back and ask for more or in some cases deny the  non-profit.

Depending on the type of non-profit the filing with the IRS is the most important so you can be recognized and be tax exempt.  You also may want to be able to give donators a tax write off so heck with the IRS and get your forms in now.

Once you have done that then you need o market your non-profit to the people who will benefit by it.

You also need to fund the business in some way.  If you have that all set then you are okay.

If you don't have one already get an Accountant or CPA before you get a lawyer.  I have always advised people starting businesses no matter what kind that their best friend needs to be an Accountant or CPA before anyone else.  What a lawyer charges you $1200 for you can do for a great deal less, but you cannot do the same for what an Accountant or CPA bring to your business.

By the way I am neither and Accountant, CPA or lawyer.  I happen to be a fellow non-profit owner and in the past I was an Investment Banker.

If you need more adivce let me know.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Here's How:

   1. Draft a mission statement. It should describe the charitable purpose of your organization

   2. Recruit board members. Your state will require a certain number of board members if you incorporate as a nonprofit. If you do not plan to incorporate, or if it is too early in the process to do that, pull together an informal advisory group to guide you.

   3. Hire a lawyer. A lawyer can help you file your articles of incorporation; help you apply to the IRS for tax-exempt status; and, eventually, review your organization's personnel policies.

   4. Open a bank account. Choose a bank that has experience with new, small nonprofits.

   5. Find an accountant to set up a basic bookkeeping system.

   6. Get an insurance agent. You may need liability insurance, property insurance, and advice about staff issues such as worker's compensation, health and life insurance benefits, and more.

   7. Write articles of incorporation. Your Secretary of State's office may provide a template for articles of incorporation. The articles provide a legal description of your organization and assign power to the board. Submit them to your board for approval. You will need these in order to incorporate in your state as a nonprofit.

   8. Draft bylaws and get board approval. Bylaws specify how the organization will be run and how the board will operate.

   9. File for incorporation with your state. The secretary of state's office can provide you with your state's specific requirements. The IRS maintains links to state websites where you can find the appropriate office.

  10. Apply to the IRS for federal tax-exempt status. The IRS provides information at its Tax Information for Charities & Other Non-Profits.

  11. Apply for state tax exemption, if necessary.

  12. Find out what laws govern charitable solicitations your state. You will need to fulfill all requirements before you start to raise funds for your nonprofit.

  13. Get a mail permit from your local post office. This will get you a discount on bulk mailings.

  14. Get a federal employer identification number (EIN). You will need this to hire employees, withhold income taxes and FICA. You must apply for your EIN with the IRS before submitting your application to the IRS for your federal nonprofit status as a 501(c)(3) corporation.

  15. Find out about unemployment insurance requirements from your state.

Answer 3

To start a nonprofit, you first 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, you need to have profiles of your staff showing they have experience and expertise, 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.). You aren't going to have any money until you have donors, and you aren't going to have any donors until you have a viable, solid business plan for your nonprofits first five year's of existence. At some point, you need to decide if you are going to be a member of the board (and, therefore, not paid), or if you are going to be, say, the Executive Director, reporting to the board (and you can be paid -- and fired -- by the board).

And then there's the paperwork:

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...

IRS Tax Information for Charitable Organizations

http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/...

Answer 4

I just incorporated my non-profit organization and got my tax id i did it with "small biz incorporated" a company located in Tx.but can help you no matter in what state you want your organization established. they were a great help and you don't have to get an attorney they are there to help you set up with your organization and very reasonable on their fees.

Answer 5

Coming soon to Stocton CA is a job fair that has public information classes about starting a franchise.  If you are in this area check it out or find some other way to find something similar.  CW31 was talking about the job fair this morning.  Sorry I don't remember more. Good Luck

Answer 6

In most large cities, there is usually a Nonprofit Resource center, funded by the US SBA.   You will find material on how to start it, how to apply for grants, and how a nonprofit ( a 501c3 corporation ) is taxed.

All this reference material is free.

You can also contact the local SCORE chapter in your city.  SCORE is a national nonprofit where retired senior executives volunteer their time and experience to help people like yourself, who are interested in starting businesses ( whether for-profit or nonprofit ).

SCORE volunteers help you write a business plan, advise you on incorporation, taxes, marketing, sales, accounting, and insurance, etc.  Their services are free.  

Check out www.score.org

Answer 7

the first step is to retain an attorney.

the second is to retain an accountant who is also a tax specialist.