Frequently Asked Questions
1. If I pay to start the Nonprofit, does it belong to me? No, the Nonprofit does not belong to a person. The nonprofit is a charitable organization that is governed by a Volunteer Board of Directors.
2. Is there a difference between a Nonprofit and a 501 c 3? Yes & No. You must first become a Nonprofit Corporation in your state. Then you must apply with the IRS to become a 501 c 3. You can be a Nonprofit and Not be a 501 c 3, however you can not be a 501 c 3 without first being an Official Nonprofit in your State.
3. How many Board Members must I have? The minimum is three (3) and can go up to what ever number you like. Note the number should be an odd number which eliminates the possibility of a tie during votes.
4. Does the Nonprofit Creators complete nonprofits in various states?
Yes, the 501 c 3 designation is a Federal status and the company has experience filing Articles of Incorporations is various States and then completing the application for 501 c 3 with the IRS.
5. Can Board Members be Paid? No, Board of Directors of a 501 c 3 serve voluntarily
6. All of my Board members have experience serving on other Boards, do we still need to do the training? Yes, the IRS is constantly making changes, and the staff of the Nonprofit Creators keep current on those changes to ensure each Board Member understands their roles & responsibilities.
7. How long will this process take?
The process time will vary based on the State of filing (each state is different with how long they take to certify Articles of Incorporation). Then once the application is submitted to the IRS they say on the application that they can take 30-90 days to complete the review.
8. Once the 501 c 3 is obtained, can I lose it?
Yes, you can the IRS requires that all nonprofits submit a 990 annually except churches. If the organization does not submit the 990 for 3 years consecutively, the status will be revoked and re-applying will be required.
9. How long is the Board Training and where will it take place? The Board of Directors Training takes 1-2 hours depending on questions, discussions, etc. Due to Covid, the training will be over Zoom.
10. May I use a Post Office Box as my address? No, you must a physical address for the Articles of Incorporation in your State.
11. Will the Board Training cover how to apply for grants?
No, the Board Training is designed to help the Board understand their role, requirements to maintain the status, board meeting, and fund development plan.
12. If the founding members provide financial support do they receive a tax write-off? Yes, the organization must keep records of donations made and then provide a letter to all donors for their tax records.
13. Is there a refund policy? No refunds, as soon as the company is engaged work begins immediately.
