Starting a Nonprofit?

From the St. Louis Public Library’s Grants & Foundation Center

 

Official Applications and Instructions Online

• Incorporating as a Missouri nonprofit
• Incorporating as an Illinois nonprofit  
  
• www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4220.pdf download “Applying for 501 (c) (3) Tax-Exempt Status” 
• www.irs.gov Type “Form 1023” in the search screen to download application form and instructions.

Online Helps & How-to's

• http://extension.missouri.edu/cd/orgdev/creating_nonprofit.html University of Missouri Extension Creating a 501(c)(3):  a step-by-step guide

• www.stl.unitedway.org/get-involved/volunteer  enter your nonprofit profile on this United Way of Greater St. Louis’ platform for securing volunteers for nonprofit governing boards

• www.form1023help.com  assistance in claiming IRS tax-exempt status, sample bylaws

•  www.grantspace.org/Tools/Knowledge-Base/Nonprofit-Management/Establishment guides and resource links

•  www.irs.gov/charities more Internal Revenue Service information and help for nonprofits

•  http://managementhelp.org   free tutorials and links on all aspects of nonprofit management

  Also Available from the St. Louis VLAA (Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts) www.vlaa.org/index.php?view=Publications 

•   Nonprofit Incorporation Workbook, VLAA

•  Guide to Board Duties & Liabilities, by Peter Ruger Guide to Financial Oversight, by Sue Greenberg

OR Consider Fiscal Sponsorship

·         VLAA Fiscal Sponsorship booklet www.vlaa.org/assets/documents/Fiscal%20Sponsorship%20.pdf

·         Grantspace links to national resources www.grantspace.org/Tools/Knowledge-Base/Individual-Grantseekers/Fiscal-Sponsorship/fiscal-sponsorship

·         Guide to Fiscal Sponsorship free tutorial:  http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/fiscal/index.html  

·         National Network of Fiscal Sponsors  www.fiscalsponsors.org                                                             

Updated 4/15

  

& From The Foundation Center:

Some Missouri nonprofit startup resources, and 12 tasks you will need to accomplish as part of the process of establishing a nonprofit organization

·       File the certificate of incorporation

·       Select individuals to serve on the board of directors

·       Develop vision and mission statements

·       Establish bylaws and board policies

·       Obtain an employer identification number (EIN)

·       Open a bank account and establish check signing procedures

·       File for federal tax exemption

·       Follow state and local nonprofit regulations

·       Find office space and obtain office equipment

·       Recruit staff and prepare a personnel manual

·       Establish a payroll system and procure necessary insurance coverage

·       Develop an overall fundraising plan