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The nonprofit sector is on the rise. Between 2005 and 2018, the total number of NPOs increased by 10.4%, from 1.41 million to 1.56 million. By 2015, NPOs contributed an estimated $985.4 billion to the U.S. economy.
Donor support for nonprofits also remains healthy. In 2018, funding from private businesses, individuals, and various foundations totaled $410.02 billion, three percent up from 2016.
How to Start a Nonprofit Organization — Checklist Download
Use this free checklist as a convenient point of reference when you are ready to start your own nonprofit.
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NPO Business Plan — Free Template
Use our nonprofit organization business plan template in Microsoft Word format to jumpstart the planning process for your new NPO.
Download NowHow to Start a Nonprofit Organization:
A step-by-step guide to starting your very own nonprofit organization.
Decide which type of nonprofit you would like to open.
Ensure that you have sufficient evidence that your NPO will positively contribute to this unmet issue or need.
You will find it easier to get donations and receive grants if you have solid evidence that your NPO will serve a practical purpose. Your research must include statistics and numbers that back up your idea.
Ensure that there are no existing organizations that are currently serving the same issue or need.
Your NPO should serve an issue or need that has not already been identified or serviced. The National Council of Nonprofits has a handy tool that helps you identify the existing NPOs in your area. Use the tool to ensure that your nonprofit idea is unique.
Think about the type of people you want to attract to support your organization.
It is crucial to gain the right type of support for your NPO to ensure the success of your organization. Understanding your target demographic will make it easier for you to gain supporters and members.
It is critical to develop a mission statement that clearly outlines your nonprofit's purpose, its target group, and how your organization will contribute to this issue or need. Your mission statement does not have to be lengthy or explain the details of your NPO and its work. It should be to the point and must, very succinctly, define who you are, what your goal is, and your motivation for achieving this goal.
Write a business plan.
Create a executive summary.
This should be a synopsis of your business plan.
Create a company overview and description.
List details of your organization, its foundations, and mission.
Write a market analysis.
Explanation of your target group, your stakeholders and SWOT analysis.
Describe your products and services.
Details of what makes your nonprofit unique and how your organization will add value by addressing a relevant need.
Create a marketing plan.
Explanation of who your organization will service, how you will locate this target group, and how you will convince people to support your cause.
Create an operational plan.
Details of your office location, supplies, and equipment required, how you plan to deliver your service/s, and what type of staff and volunteers you require.
Detail your organizational structure.
A list of your staff with details of their roles and how they are organized.
Create a financial plan.
Details of cash flow analysis, projected budgets, and revenue generation. This section will help you to apply for grants and loans, and will be of most interest to potential investors.
Many founders neglect to develop a proper business plan for their nonprofit as they have the misconception that business plans only apply to “for-profit” organizations. It is vital to create a detailed business plan before incorporating your NPO as this will enhance your funding opportunities with investors, donors, and board members.
Use our handy business plan template to get you up and running.
Generate revenue for your nonprofit.
Explore multiple avenues.
While most “for-profit” organizations make their revenue primarily from products and services, nonprofit organizations have many avenues through which they can generate revenue.
It is wise to develop separate strategies when approaching each revenue source as each of these has dynamic characteristics.
Obtain fees for services and products.
This is revenue generated from services and products and includes money received from membership dues, event tickets, professional services and products e.g., merchandise.
Source private contributions.
This consists of donations received and can be solicited through individual donors, fundraising activities and sponsorship.
You must complete the Charitable Solicitation Registration via the IRS website before you can accept any donations or engage in fundraising activities.
For more information on your state’s regulations, you can select your state from this interactive map.
Source government grants.
This is funding provided by the government to organizations and institutions whose mission and projects benefit specific parts of the population or a whole community. The federal government offers guidance for those that wish to apply for a grant at www.usa.gov/grants. Once you have sufficient information and meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for a government grant at www.grants.gov/web/grants/home. Only apply for a grant through official government channels.
Beware of government grant scams. The Federal Trade Commission warns of many government grant scams that attract organizations through advertisements in local newspapers, magazines, online and over the phone. You can get more information about government grant scams here.
Approach these reputable sources of grants for nonprofits.
Choose a name for your nonprofit organization.
Choose a memorable name.
When deciding on a name for your NPO, the name that you choose must be easy to remember, appealing, aligned with your service and mission statement, and have a positive tone.
Brainstorm ideas.
Think of the many names that you like for your organization and trim the list to the three that best fit the characteristics above.
Check name availability.
You can check if the name that you have chosen is available through your state's secretary of state website. You also need to check that your name has not been trademarked at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Check domain availability.
You can conduct preliminary checks to ensure that the website domain and social media accounts are available. If your domain is taken, you could add your state’s name to the domain, if you really want that name. Bear in mind that nonprofit domains typically end with .org.
Conduct an independent name search.
You can conduct some independent research to check if the proposed name or a similar name is currently in use. Some names are in use even though they are not on file with the Secretary of State.
Reserve your corporate name.
You can apply for name reservation through your state's Secretary of State’s website.
Recruit your board.
Check your state requirements.
Most states require that you establish your board before incorporating your organization. Even if your particular state doesn’t require board members when incorporating, it is a great idea to recruit your board prior to incorporation as this will make the process easier and will be beneficial when you are faced with the initial challenges of starting a nonprofit organization.
Recruit board members who are motivated and supportive.
You should recruit board members who possess the right blend of skills, credentials and experience to ensure the healthy growth of your NPO.
Ensure that these essential roles are filled first.
- Chairperson.
- Vice-Chairperson.
- Secretary.
- Treasurer.
Essential character traits of successful board members at nonprofit organizations include a strong work ethic, dependability, a positive attitude, self-motivation, a team-oriented approach, effective communication, and adaptability.
Incorporate your nonprofit organization.
File your incorporation paperwork.
By this point, you've already decided on a business name, appointed board members, and chosen a legal structure. Now it's time to file your incorporation paperwork. You will need to formally file paperwork (articles of incorporation) and pay the relevant filing fees to your Secretary of State. Regulations for each state differ so be sure to confirm your requirements with your Secretary of State’s website or the National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO). If you intend on soliciting donations in multiple states, you will need to register your intentions with NASCO.
Obtain licenses and permits.
You will need to check if your NPO requires any licenses and/or permits. The U.S. Small Business Administration has detailed information available that you can use to guide you.
Register for your nonprofit organization to be tax-exempt.
Go to the IRS website.
Your nonprofit organization may be eligible for federal income tax exemption. The IRS website offers detailed instructions on how to apply for tax exemptions. The IRS also provides a comprehensive guide to tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations.
Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) explains which types of nonprofit organizations are tax-exempt. Under Section 501(c) of the IRC, there are many types of nonprofit organizations that can file for tax exemptions.
Register with the IRS.
You will need to register with the IRS as your appropriate 501(c) organization in order to receive tax exemptions. You can access the IRS Tax Exemption application here. The IRS charges filing fees to apply for a nonprofit tax exemption status which can be anywhere between $400 to $850. You can find more information here. The IRS tax exemption application process can take between 3 to 12 months.
Register with your state.
Once you have received your tax-exempt status, you will need to register your nonprofit with the state that you are located in. The IRS website can direct you to your state where you can find the correct office, view filing procedures, and confirm annual reporting requirements.
Fill out an IRS Form 990.
The IRS requires that you fill out an IRS Form 990, which is the annual financial and informational return filed by all tax-exempt nonprofit and charitable organizations. The IRS uses this form to gather information about your NPO and ensure that you are compliant. The IRS Form 990 must be filed by the 15th day of the 5th month following the organization’s tax year end date.
Identify premises for your nonprofit organization’s headquarters.
Determine if you need an office.
If funds are really tight, you can choose to run your NPO without a physical office, as some NPOs are run from home. You will, however, need a P.O. box to accept mail and this may cost anywhere between $50 to $1,000, depending on your location and the size that you need.
Focus on cutting costs.
If you do want to rent office space, it is advisable to keep it as simple as possible. You may consider getting as few desks as necessary, a phone, a laptop, a printer, and a filing cabinet. You can contact The Nonprofit Centers or the National Council of Nonprofits for inexpensive office space options.
These organizations donate essential furniture and computer equipment to NPOs.
Recruit Staff.
Pace your recruitment.
While some nonprofit organizations are run solely by the founder, many organizations choose to recruit at least one staff member and/or volunteer until such time that they feel the need to recruit more.
It is recommended to reach out to other nonprofit organizations of a similar size to get advice on the number of staff that you might need.
Hire key positions first.
- General Administrator.
- Membership Manager/Coordinator.
- Media & Communications Manager/Officer.
- Fundraising & Events Manager/Coordinator.
Don’t rush the recruitment process and don’t settle for applicants who do not fully meet your criteria. It is advisable to recruit multi-skilled applicants who could serve multiple roles in your nonprofit organization. Consider using a staffing agency to help you with the process.
Set up your website and social media accounts.
Put thought into your design.
A well-designed website can do wonders for your NPO. You could attract the right attention, your work could be more easily promoted, and you could build trust with your target audience, giving you a better opportunity to make a greater impact.
Your website will prove to be invaluable as it will help you raise money, coordinate events, attract volunteers, and share success stories.
Have a detailed home page.
This is visually appealing and must encourage visitors to join your NPO or donate, and should include recent news, featured members, and upcoming events.
Include an About Us page.
This page can include your mission, vision, history, staff, and general information about your organization.
Include a Join Us page.
This page must give potential new members all the information they need to know before joining your organization and should have a membership form to join online.
Make your Donate button stand out.
This button must lead to a page that gives potential donors all the information they need to know before donating to your organization, and should have a membership form to donate online.
Include an Events page.
This page should display your upcoming events and should include invitations for interested people to attend and register. You should also list the benefits of joining your organization here. This page is usually structured in a calendar format.
Include a News or Blog section.
This page should have the latest news about your organization and its work, and should have relevant blog posts.
Include a Resources page.
This page should include resources that your organization publishes, if applicable.
Include a Members-Only Section.
This page is usually restricted to members of your organization only and can be accessed through member login credentials.
Include a Contact Us page.
This page will include all contact information for your organization.
It is critical that you set up social media profiles for your organization as this might allow you to create greater awareness of your nonprofit. Make sure that your social media accounts are linked to your website to maximize your organization's exposure.
Your board should have expertise in many areas.
Look for skills in the following categories:
- Members with access to financial resources and/or specialize in soliciting donations.
- Members with management expertise in the financial, legal, and/or marketing spheres.
- Members who are part of networks with extensive knowledge in your service offering.
Be sure to address the following concerns:
My nonprofit will _____.
My nonprofit helps _____.
Our members are _____.
The benefits of having a good website:
Allow members to join your organization and pay online.
Register attendees for events and accept online payments.
Collect donations online and automatically route that to your bank account.
Manage your database of volunteers, donors, staff, members and sponsors.
Generate automatic notifications and reminders for events and projects.
Advice for Starting a Nonprofit:
Examine your heart as to why you want to start your own nonprofit. Nonprofits are not the place for egos or attention seekers if you want to see powerful and authentic change in the lives of the people that you serve.
Heidi Stieglitz Ham
Bring your impact audience into the development process of your organization. Encourage your funders to be as responsive and diligent as you are. And be patient with the practice of growing a company, instead of obsessed with the outcomes.
Nicole Cardoza
Before anyone starts a nonprofit, they should spend at least one full year immersing themselves in the issue they are trying to solve. Get to know every player in the ecosystem: the clients, the funders, the colleagues and competition.
Gina LaMotte
