If you are a nonprofit organization, and you wish to acquire a 501c3 status in United States, this is a step by step guide on registering

1. The Complete
Guide to
Registering a
501c3
Nonprofit

2. Complying with bylaws, attaining
tax-exempt status, managing a board
of directors… Starting a nonprofit can
seem like a complicated and daunting
task

3. Equipped with the right information
and a resilient approach, the
process is easier than it seems

4. This is not to say that
establishing a nonprofit comes
without its challenges

5. There are many
reasons why
organizations choose
to apply for the official
501(c)(3) status

6. Tax-exempt status
Qualifying nonprofits can
apply for federal and state
tax-exempt status
Enhanced credibility
Potential donors may be
more inclined to give to
an organization that has
an official nonprofit status
Tax-deductible donations
Donations made by
individuals to the
nonprofit corporation may
be tax-deductible
Possible exemption from
certain property taxes
Reduced postage rates

7. To help you move
through the motions
of establishing a
nonprofit, we’ve
detailed out a guide
below

8. GET CLEAR ON YOUR PURPOSESTEP 1
A clear purpose motivates staff and
volunteers, attracts donors and
supporters, and helps build a positive
image amongst the general public

9. DECIDE WHAT TYPE OF NONPROFIT
YOU WANT TO ESTABLISH
STEP 2
Based on your nonprofit’s purpose,
decide which type of nonprofit you want
to register as (e.g. arts, charities,
education, politics, religion, research)

10. Charitable Religious Educational
Testing for public
safety
Literary
Youth/amateur
sports competition
Scientific
Cruelty prevention
for children
and animals
8 BROAD CATEGORIES IN ORDER TO APPLY
FOR TAX EXEMPTION

11. NAME YOUR NONPROFITSTEP 3
Safe to say you should select a name
that’s unique and somehow related to
the main activities of your nonprofit

12. FORM A BOARDSTEP 4
Some states require that you list the
names of your board members in your
incorporation documents

13. Your board can help you with the
incorporation and the rest of the
sometimes-challenging process
of establishing a nonprofit

14. WRITE UP YOUR BYLAWSSTEP 5
The bylaws contain the operating rules
and provide a framework for your
management procedures

15. The corporation’s
activities will be limited to
the purposes set out in
section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
The organization will not
engage in political or
legislative activities
prohibited under section
501(c)(3)
Upon dissolution of the
corporation, any
remaining assets will be
distributed to another
nonprofit
FEEL FREE TO LOOK UP BYLAWS
TEMPLATES ONLINE

16. PREPARE AND FILE YOUR
INCORPORATION PAPERWORK
STEP 6
Having chosen a name for your nonprofit
and appointed a board of directors,
completing and filing your incorporation
paperwork should be simple

17. You must file “articles of
incorporation” with your
state’s corporate filing
office
If you want to
incorporate in another
state, you would need to
register and apply for
separate tax exemptions
Filings and fees will vary
by state
After completing your
paperwork, you will be
ready to send them to
your state filing office
EIN will be used to track
your organization’s
financial activity
Pretty much every major
transaction your
nonprofit engages in will
require an EIN

18. FILE FOR 501(C)(3) TAX-EXEMPT STATUSSTEP 7
To get the most out of your tax-exempt
status, file your Form 1023 within 27
months of the date you file your
nonprofit articles of incorporation

19. The corporation’s
activities will be limited to
the purposes set out in
section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
The organization will not
engage in political or
legislative activities
prohibited under section
501(c)(3)
Upon dissolution of the
corporation, any
remaining assets will be
distributed to another
nonprofit
SHORTER APPLICATION FORM (1023-EZ)

20. Filed your
articles of
incorporation
Prepared your
bylaws
Held your first
nonprofit
meeting
BEFORE YOU START FILLING OUT
FORM 1023, BE SURE YOU HAVE

21. A statement of
your exempt
purpose(s)
A dissolution
clause
A conflict of
interest clause
YOUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
AND/OR YOUR BYLAWS

22. ENSURE ONGOING COMPLIANCESTEP 8
Once the state approves everything, you
should prepare for annual reporting
requirements

23. It is advisable that you consult
with local expertise to ensure
that your new nonprofit
complies with state and federal
laws and requirements

24. MORE
INFORMATION
https://donorbox.org/
nonprofit-blog/how-
to-start-a-501c3/