- 1). Draft your nonprofit's mission statement. A mission statement describes the charitable purpose of the organization. Write up the organization's bylaws. Bylaws define how the board will operate and the rules the organization will abide by. Check with your state to see if you are required to submit bylaws when registering.
- 2). Open a bank account solely for the organization. Banks that are familiar with small or starting nonprofit organizations are recommended.
- 3). Recruit board members in accordance with your state's requirements for a corporate board.
- 1). File articles of incorporation with the state in which the nonprofit business is located through the Secretary of State or Secretary of Commerce. Contact the Attorney General's Charities Division for additional information. Articles of incorporation may need to be published in local papers and journals. Check your state's requirements for filing articles of incorporation.
- 2). Ask your local IRS office for IRS publication 557 and IRS Form 1023 to register for nonprofit status and apply for tax-exempt status. Once approved, file for state tax exemptions.
- 3). Check your state's requirements for solicitation and licensing. If required, obtain a solicitation license before soliciting funds for the nonprofit organization.
- 4). Go to your local post office and file for mail permits, which offer discounts on bulk mailings.
- 5). Fill out the forms to obtain a federal employer identification number once you begin to hire employees.
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