State Filings

Establishing a nonprofit requires a legal blueprint that meets your state’s requirements to form a business. Our team will assist in preparing articles of incorporation or organization and filing them with the appropriate state entity. Every nonprofit raising funds will also need to file a charitable registration in those states where they intend to raise funds, whether fundraising in person or online. Our team can advise you on the charitable solicitation laws in each state to ensure effective compliance.

Federal IRS Filings

Your nonprofit’s intended activities and structure will determine what federal paperwork is necessary to properly establish your organization. Nonprofits wanting to be recognized as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization will need to file a Form 1023 with the IRS. This is one of the most critical pieces of the startup process—completing the right legal paperwork for classification by the IRS. The IRS startup filings determine an organization’s classification, which dictates what type of fundraising and programmatic work your organization can do. Our team has extensive experience in preparing these startup filings to ensure your organization starts the right way. 

Initial Board Actions

In the beginning stages of forming a nonprofit organization, the board must take specific actions to comply with state and federal filing requirements. The board will need to create and approve initial bylaws and policies. Nonprofit bylaws establish the rules and procedures to govern your organization’s internal affairs, board structure, and decision-making processes. Failure to properly create bylaws or necessary organizational policies can create initial or future legal problems with state or IRS filings. Our team will work closely with your board to prepare bylaws and policies that meet your nonprofit’s unique needs while complying with state and federal regulations.