Supporting The Formation of Your Non-Profit Organization

Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in our society. They offer opportunities to revitalize neighborhoods, support families and individuals in need, and bring about generational change within our society.

Many leaders have great intentions in wanting to help their community and make a change, but they don’t know the best place to start in order to make this happen. Before getting to the level of helping others, leaders who want to form nonprofit organizations need to make sure they have all the foundations in place. This will ensure that the organization is set up in a way that will lead to long-term success to benefit its staff, leadership, and, most important, the people that it serves.

Leveraging my experience to guide you through the proper steps to begin your nonprofit organization will protect you and your team from dealing with legal matters, running afoul of the tax departments at the federal and state levels, and losing valuable time to gain the funding necessary to reach your goal of helping your community.

Over the past 10 years, I’ve supported community leaders as they took the initial steps to make their dream a reality by forming their nonprofit and providing amazing programs and services to their communities. I’m excited to continue to support future nonprofit leaders in their journeys to make a difference in our society. Download this free checklist (also available below), which gives you a brief description of the steps needed to form your nonprofit organization in the State of New Jersey. Let’s connect for a FREE 30-minute virtual chat to turn your dream into reality!

 
 

Step 1

Name organization and confirm it is not already used in the State of New Jersey.


Step 2

Form the original Board of Directors with at least three (3) members: President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Select one of the members to be listed as the Registered Agent for the Organization in all filing paperwork.

Step 3

Prepare and electronically file Articles of Incorporation with the State of New Jersey ($75 registration fee + $3.50 online filing fee).

Step 4

Make a request to get a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Step 5

Draft initial bylaws for the organization and a conflict-of-interest policy for the organization.

Step 6

Host initial meeting of the organization and vote on its formation, the appointment of board members, the appointment of the registered agent, approval of bylaws, adoption of a conflict-of-interest policy, and present/approve a resolution to open the organization’s bank account. Have the board secretary take minutes of the meeting as a record of all discussions and votes that occurred during the meeting.

Step 7

Register the organization in New Jersey for tax-related purposes.

Step 8

Review requirements to register as a federal 501(c)3 organization and discuss with the board the potential to complete the registration:

Step 9

Draft a letter requesting tax exemption from the State of New Jersey that indicates the following:

  • a nonprofit corporation that is not operated to make a profit, without regard as to whether there is profit or loss for a particular year;

  • organized without capital stock;

  • incorporated under the provisions of Titles 15, 15A, 16 or 17 of the Revised Statutes of New Jersey or under a special charter or under any similar general or special law of this or any other state; and,

  • not conducted for the pecuniary profit or benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

Step 10

Mail a tax exemption request letter to the New Jersey Division of Taxation with a copy of the organization’s Articles of Incorporation and bylaws.

Address:

Regulatory Services Branch

New Jersey Division of Taxation

P.O. Box 269

Trenton, NJ 08695

Step 11

Register the organization for charitable solicitations with NJ Consumer Affairs.

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