In need of Non-Profit Mentor- Foundation is being set up to help parents and siblings of children who have died.

Don't you just obtain a business license form a llc because a sole proprietorship cannot be non profit then file the paperwork and you are done?

I don't own one but I was thinking of starting one at one point and researched it quite a bit.

Thanks...yes we got that part down and have most everything in process, We do have a lawyer answering some questions but seems that some things can only be answered by someone who has and actually runs a Non profit.

So its like the Freemasons someone needs to invite you before you can join?

There is definitely a lot to it! so far so good but running into unanswered questions now.

OP-

Setting up the Non-Profit organization is pretty straight forward once you determine what designation actually best fits your application. "Non-Profit" is different than "Not for Profit", and each have qualifying as well as operational and reporting requirements.

Once this is determined, you will need a set of "By Laws", as well as "Articles of Incorporation" as you register with your Office of Secretary of State for your respective state.- these may vary slightly, but always better to check your State's .gov website for outlines concerning these filings. these will stipulate your mission, the organization's officers, as well as define the "Registered Agent".

If you're starting small and are willing to do the research and put in the effort, you can file these and save yourself/ your organization a bit of money. If you're not up for the challenge, you may want to check the local bar association - you may find that there are attorneys that will assist you for a lesser fee, or check with your local colleges for law students looking for experience. I will tell you that LegalZoom runs about $1,400.00 for the filing, and that may vary some from state to state, but the Federal Filing is $450. It really boils down to how extensive you are laying this out to be initially, as well as how much work you're willing to do on your own.

When we completed and filed for ours, it was a bit confusing at first. Take your time, have LOTS of coffee handy, read, read, and re-read everything. Compile the By Laws and Articles of Incorporation as exact as possible, however, don't paint yourself into a corner. You can always add an addendum as necessary.

Hope this helped some!

Never put anything in your name.

Always join every single government group related to your non-profit possible.

Always make sure you get paid the most.

Always make sure you get paid first.

Always make sure to modify pay raises for yourself each year.

Never run a non-profit like a for profit business.

Always hire a lawyer to set up a non-profit.

Never trust a lawyer with a non-profit trust.

Great info thank you for taking the time to provide some great info.

This Foundation is being set up to help parents and siblings of children who have died. I cant divulge much but really need someone willing to answer questions as they come up...

Is anyone willing to give me a contact who would like to help a wonderful foundation that will help those in need in a time of crisis...one of the most devastating crisiss imaginable to a parent, the unexpected death of a child.

get a job

Hmm someone woke up grumpy...its not about making money its about helping people!

Not to proud to bump my own thread if it means success in helping people who need help! something more people should try!

What sort of contact are you looking for? You can do a search for Non-Profit help etc. and be overloaded with many seemingly helpful organizations, but at the end they're looking to sell you something.

Once you achieve receipt of your status, GuideStar is probably one of the greater organizations for you to become familiar with - and their site has useful information in the interim as well.

Non-Profit does not mean you cannot make money, it means that the greater balance of any monies generated are used through the organization as a means of providing a social/ religious/ civic service.

Ours, for instance, is set up so that the foods and other products sold on the website, as well as classes offered to the general public, are used in conjunction with public and private donations in order to support our mission. This mission (you'll have to define such during your structuring and application process) is to create training opportunities in the fields of Bushcraft/ Primitive Living/ Survival Skills at no charge for missionaries destined for 2nd and 3rd world countries.

Once you are set up, you can establish a banking account in the organization's name, begin generating income, and begin collecting donations. I think you will find, as we have, that the generation of donations to forward your mission can and most likely will be more trying than the initial process of structuring the organization on paper.

You can do it - just be aware it takes time and lots of promotion to get the word out there.