[Anonymous]

Hi everyone. Figured here would be a good place to find some valuable feedback. I’d like to form my own nonprofit organization later during this year and wanted to see if anyone else has had this experience.

I’ve done a lot of research and I’ve done a lot of audit/tax work with nonprofits so I am relatively familiar with rules/ regulations. I’d like to form it as a public charity. I know this involves incorporating, registering with the state and etc. I’d like to hear anyone’s experience with forming a business. Do I need to hire a lawyer? I’m willing to do the paperwork myself if need be. How much capital do you think is required up front? How complicated is it to create your own website? Any feedback would be appreciated!

[mla1169]

No as long as you know which forms to use and in what order to do each step you should be fine. If you WANT a lawyer to look it over but don't want the cost you can look into a time bank ( you volunteer x hours of your services and then can use those hours to buy time from somebody else if there is an attorney in your local bank).

I just took over the youth cheerleading. They organized 8 years ago as a nonprofit and assumed that translated to tax exempt. I went to a local CPA firm just because I don't feel comfortable cleaning up 8 years of annual reports, tax returns, etc. but they didn't use a lawyer to get started. Think they consulted a Pom-Pom 😉

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

No as long as you know which forms to use and in what order to do each step you should be fine. If you WANT a lawyer to look it over but don't want the cost you can look into a time bank ( you volunteer x hours of your services and then can use those hours to buy time from somebody else if there is an attorney in your local bank).

I just took over the youth cheerleading. They organized 8 years ago as a nonprofit and assumed that translated to tax exempt. I went to a local CPA firm just because I don't feel comfortable cleaning up 8 years of annual reports, tax returns, etc. but they didn't use a lawyer to get started. Think they consulted a Pom-Pom 😉

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I recommend talking to your local Community Foundation. Often times, it's more cost effective to just setup a fund and work under their tax ID number. Their fees are low and have an excellent knowledge base.

[Anonymous]

I recommend talking to your local Community Foundation. Often times, it's more cost effective to just setup a fund and work under their tax ID number. Their fees are low and have an excellent knowledge base.

[Author]

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