| Want to start a non-profit organization | | | | complete. Determine what type of entity |
| and not sure where to start? This is and | | | | classification you will use. Not all |
| can be a long, involved process and | | | | will have tax-exempt status. |
| takes some time and consideration, least | | | | 5. If you have any questions, make sure |
| of which is to decide whether to go | | | | you consult an attorney or solicitor |
| non-profit or for-profit, as (as | | | | (you will need to do this anyway) to |
| ludicrous as it may seem) there are less | | | | ensure you understand things clearly. |
| regulations behind a for-profit than a | | | | 6. Depending on organization |
| non-profit. | | | | requirements, you may need to develop a |
| There are a few requirements that you | | | | set of bylaws to guide the operations of |
| will need to consider and these are as | | | | your organization, and a set of articles |
| follows: | | | | of incorporation. The bylaws are |
| 1. Determine that you really need to | | | | important and must be set up correctly. |
| start a non-profit. There is more | | | | They should provide instructions as to |
| regulation and administration work | | | | the selection, responsibilities, and |
| involved in a non-profit organization | | | | continuance of board members, membership |
| than a for-profit. | | | | requirements, officers, deposits, |
| 2. You will be asked to define your | | | | committee structures, notices, and other |
| charitable purpose and will have | | | | personal and insurance questions as they |
| regulations that will govern the amount | | | | relate to the operations of the specific |
| of compensation to your board of | | | | non-profit business. Phew, there is a |
| directors and/or officers. So you need | | | | lot to digest, but it can be very |
| to have a clear outline of your | | | | rewarding running a non-profit |
| strategic plan and case statement to | | | | organization... you only have to look |
| ensure this meets standards. | | | | around the world to see that there are |
| 3. Check with your local state or | | | | thousands already in place to know that |
| country to specific requirements within | | | | it is a worth while procedure. You just |
| your area. | | | | need to make sure that you have the |
| 4. Check with your local tax department | | | | right information, structure and |
| (IRS for the States)with regards to the | | | | attonery when setting things up. |
| necessary forms that you will need to | | | | |