How to Start a Nonprofit

One of the most common questions we hear at the National Council is "How do I start my own nonprofit?" By following the steps below, we hope that many of your questions will be answered. These resources are certainly no substitute for legal advice from an attorney familiar with the law of tax-exempt organizations in your state. Many state associations of nonprofits offer workshops on this topic or have published guidance either on their website or in booklet form to help founders of nonprofit organizations with basic start-up issues. While we offer the resources here for informational purposes, we highly recommend also consulting with legal counsel to ensure that you are in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations governing the establishment and operations of a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization.

• Step 1: Research
• Step 2: Key Questions to Ask Before Getting Started
• Step 3: State Forms
• Step 4: Federal Filings
• Step 5: Heavy Lifting
• Where to Find Assistance