June 17, 2002 | Read Time: 1 minute
Q. How do I register my organization for nonprofit status?
A. It takes two steps to register a charity: File with the Internal Revenue Service to get your federal income-tax exemption, and register with your state.
First you’ll want to spend some time with the 60-page document Publication 557, otherwise known as “Tax Exempt Status for Your Organization.” (This requires Adobe Acrobat reader to open. You can download Adobe’s PDF reader here). You’ll find other tax information for charitable groups elsewhere on the IRS Web site. For more information, take a peek at the Foundation Center’s compilation of Web resources on this topic.
It’s hard to say what you will need to do on a state level, since every state has different requirements. Check with your state charity officials to find out what is required of you. You’ll find a contact list for state charity officials at the National Association of State Charities Association Web site. While you’re there, check out the “Charitable Org 101” section. It gives you a brief summary of the basics you’ll need in place before you start filing official papers, including establishing a board of directors and creating an operational plan.
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