By NEO Law Group
Although the vast majority of individuals who set out to start a nonprofit do so with the best of intentions, starting a nonprofit requires much more than just good intentions.
Founders should invest meaningful time and thought in determining whether they can access the human, financial and other resources necessary to create a sustainable organization that will effectively and efficiently bring value to the public. And they should understand the various considerations and issues involved with starting and operating a nonprofit. For a Step-by-Step Guide for Starting a California Nonprofit, check out our article for CalNonprofits here.
In California, the Attorney General regulates charities, the professional fundraisers who solicit on their behalf, and other persons and entities that hold charitable assets or operate charitable fundraising platforms. The information below (except for the headings and an additional hyperlink for our readers’ convenience to the Registry Verification Search...
Figure 4: Taxonomy of 501(c)(3) Organizations Approved in FY 2021 A startup nonprofit wishing to apply for IRS recognition of tax-exemption under 501(c)(3) must file either Form 1023 or Form 1023-EZ. The Form 1023-EZ is only available to organizations that meet certain eligibililty requirements, including projection of gross revenues...
Multiple Vehicles for Individual Philanthropy Anyone can dream … but I’m not convinced this is necessarily a dream scenario. Aspiring to be a billionaire appears to come with difficult concessions, serious risks, and major changes to relationships and activities. But at first blush, it sounds cool to be able...
Many well-intended individuals who want to work on addressing public, social, and environmental needs think about starting a charitable nonprofit. Founding and leading a nonprofit may be viewed as a badge of significance and honor. But before moving forward, founders of a charitable venture should first consider the alternatives....
After a domestic nonprofit takes the first exciting steps of incorporating and filing its Application for Recognition for Exemption (Form 1023) with the IRS, it may be surprised to find out that it may take the IRS 6 months, or even much longer, to grant the nonprofit its official...
The IRS recently revised Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as an online fill-in form that must be filed electronically. You can find an overview of the mechanics of e-filing Form 1023 here. For lawyers and tax practitioners, you may...
A California nonprofit corporation is formed by the filing of nonprofit articles of incorporation (Articles). There are three types of California nonprofit corporations: public benefit corporations, mutual benefit corporations, and religious corporations. Because they are governed by different laws, the Articles must reflect the appropriate type. In this post,...
A nonprofit organization organized and operated for charitable purposes may be exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code while a nonprofit organized and operated to promote the common business interest of its members and not to engage in regular business activities ordinarily carried on for profit may be exempt under...
Nonprofits should be at the forefront of encompassing diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) into their governance and operations. While discussions regarding DEI are increasingly prevalent in the nonprofit sector, the next, more difficult, step forward is to turn the discussions into action. How do we, as part of the...
The chair of the board of directors (the “chair”) plays an extremely important role for a nonprofit organization. At the core of the chair’s duties, he or she generally presides over meetings of the board, collaborating with the chief executive to create a purposeful agenda and to set priorities,...