--- title: Six Tips for Starting a Non-Profit Organization description: Looking to do something about your bleeding heart? Here are six tips for starting your own non-profit organization. image: https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/ATL_Nonprofit_610x400.jpg --- [![LAWL_logo_fullcolor_300px (3)](https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/Landing%20Pages/LAWL_logo_fullcolor_300px%20(3).png)](https://www.lawline.com/) - [Start Here](https://blog.lawline.com/start-here-welcome-to-lawline) - [Browse CLE Courses](https://www.lawline.com/browse) - [Pricing](https://www.lawline.com/subscription) - [Firms & Teams](https://www.lawline.com/enterprise/pricing) - [Blog Home](https://blog.lawline.com) [Start Free Trial](https://www.lawline.com/register/trial) [Current Events & Fun Stuff](https://blog.lawline.com/tag/current-events-fun-stuff) [Professional Growth](https://blog.lawline.com/tag/professional-growth) # Six Tips for Starting a Non-Profit Organization [![Lawline Staff](https://blog.lawline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/app-icon%20(1).png?width=50&height=50&name=app-icon%20(1).png)](https://blog.lawline.com/author/lawline-staff) [Lawline Staff](https://blog.lawline.com/author/lawline-staff) 12 April, 2018 ![ATL_Nonprofit_610x400](https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/ATL_Nonprofit_610x400.jpg) Do you have a bleeding heart? Are you looking to do something about it - like perhaps starting your non-profit organization? Before you do, there’s a lot you need to know about starting one. Lawline’s [latest batch of non-profit law programs](https://www.lawline.com/cle/topics/non-profit?topic=Non-profit) is useful for attorneys who are working with non-profits or even for people who want to understand the laws surrounding the launch and maintenance of their own charitable organization. For quick reference, however, here are six tips for starting your non-profit - whatever the great cause may be:  1. **Determine if a non-profit is even the correct type of entity for you.** Generally speaking, 501(c)(3) organizations under the Internal Revenue Code are public charities that must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes. Therefore, they come with their own specific set of rules. Check out this [informative article](http://grantspace.org/tools/knowledge-base/nonprofit-management/establishment/pros-and-cons)on the pros and cons of becoming a 501(c)(3). 2. **If it is, you should consider incorporating your organization.** Why? [Grant Space](http://grantspace.org/tools/knowledge-base/nonprofit-management/establishment/starting-a-nonprofit) says:  - Having a formal structure lends credibility; - The corporate structure limits the liability of officers and directors; and - The IRS requires organizing documents and governance policies and procedures that are generally associated with corporations. 3. **File for 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).** By doing so, you’ll be setting up your tax-exempt status. The associated fees are dependent on the expected average annual gross receipts. It can take 3-12 months for the IRS to return its decision, depending on how many questions the IRS has about your application, so you’ll want to file as soon as you decide to launch your organization as a non-profit.  4. **Understand the state regulations you may be subject to.** Federal laws are only one part of launching your non-profit. Make sure you’re following all the rules and are aware of all of the applicable parameters before you begin. Reach out to your [state association of non-profit organizations](https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/find-your-state-association) to get started!  5. **Prepare yourself for the ongoing compliance requirements.** Maintaining 501(c)(3) status requires [quite a bit of work](https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_14712.PDF). Check out the [IRS’s recommendations](https://www.stayexempt.irs.gov/) to get the ball rolling. There are quarterly and annual reporting and filing requirements, fundraising disclosures, and re-registrations… oh my!  6. **Create a business plan.** Why? All businesses need one, and a non-profit is no different. Having a business plan in place can alleviate some of the challenges[that many non-profits](https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/08/the-plight-of-the-overworked-nonprofit-employee/497081/)encounter. It should include the organizational structure, financial and operational plans, market analysis, and marketing plans, [among other important items](https://www.wildapricot.com/blogs/newsblog/2017/05/24/how-to-start-a-nonprofit#businessplan).  Here’s a handy-dandy [infographic](https://cullinanelaw.com/how-to-set-up-a-non-profit-with-501c3-status/) that might be helpful in your quest to make the world a better place, and as always, check out [Lawline](https://www.lawline.com/) for more on best practices and legal issues in the non-profit world.   Previous Post ###### [Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: A Simple Breakdown](https://blog.lawline.com/special-immigrant-juvenile-status-a-simple-breakdown) Next Post ###### [The Opioid Epidemic: America’s Latest Healthcare Crisis](https://blog.lawline.com/the-opioid-epidemic-americas-latest-healthcare-crisis) ### Similar Blog Posts [![](https://blog.lawline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/12.16.24_blog-header.png?width=352&name=12.16.24_blog-header.png)](https://blog.lawline.com/most-popular-cle-courses-for-legal-professionals-5-days-of-cle) #### [Most Popular CLE Courses for Legal Professionals (5 Days of CLE)](https://blog.lawline.com/most-popular-cle-courses-for-legal-professionals-5-days-of-cle) [![](https://blog.lawline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nastuh-abootalebi-yWwob8kwOCk-unsplash.jpg?width=352&name=nastuh-abootalebi-yWwob8kwOCk-unsplash.jpg)](https://blog.lawline.com/getting-your-firm-to-cover-cle-costs-a-practical-guide) #### [Getting Your Firm to Cover CLE Costs: A Practical Guide](https://blog.lawline.com/getting-your-firm-to-cover-cle-costs-a-practical-guide) [![Completing CLE Tips_610x400](https://blog.lawline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Completing%20CLE%20Tips_610x400.jpg?width=352&name=Completing%20CLE%20Tips_610x400.jpg)](https://blog.lawline.com/cle-dos-and-donts-best-practices-for-staying-compliant) #### [CLE Do’s and Don’ts: Best Practices for Staying Compliant](https://blog.lawline.com/cle-dos-and-donts-best-practices-for-staying-compliant) [![LAWL_logo_fullcolor_reverse_300px](https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/LAWL_logo_fullcolor_reverse_300px.png)](https://www.lawline.com/) With timely, relevant subject matter that covers a broad range of practice areas, Lawline transforms traditional Continuing Legal Education (CLE) compliance into practical knowledge that accelerates your ability to grow and serve. 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