Four Must-Have Documents to Apply for 501(c)(3) Status
In order to become a viable nonprofit organization, you will have to apply for tax-exempt status with the organization, which is also referred to as 501(c)(3) status. Having this status allows your organization to receive grants and receive tax-deductible donations. But, how do you know how to apply for a 501(c)(3) status in a sea of information that is overwhelming and hard to understand? If you’re not careful, one misstep in your paperwork can set you back for months. Doing a simple Google search can leave you utterly confused about where to start and what paperwork to file. This blog will help you cut through the noise and understand the 4 documents you need to have to complete your application process.
For-profit or nonprofit: Which one works for me?
One of the first key decisions you’ll have to make when you have a great idea is how you want to run the business - do you want it to be a nonprofit or for profit? Don’t assume just because you want to take on a charitable activity, that a nonprofit is the best way to do that. So let’s talk through some considerations you should think about before you decide how to move forward with your idea.
How I Organize My Grant Writing Process
I hate writing. The idea of staring at a blank screen with a looming deadline in front of me gives me anxiety. Yet, writing is a huge part of all of my jobs. Somehow, I still manage to push through and end up with a decent product. When it comes to grant writing, the feeling for me is magnified. It is easy to be intimidated by the task of convincing a funder to believe in my words. So how do I manage to get from white space to finished product?
What are the different types of grants?
The grants space is a vast universe made of many different moving parts, including grant applications, funders, community partners and the like. It’s easy to think that every grant you pursue is the same, but that’s not the case. More than likely, every new grant you encounter you will find a new question or a requirement. Even seasoned grant writers still encounter new processes, questions, or requirements that they've never seen before. Funders come in all shapes and sizes, and so what they request of you will come in different forms, too. Though every grant process is different, you will generally see the same types of grants.
Where are the startup grants for nonprofits?
It is the #1 question I hear. Every month, it comes up in my Facebook group. Where can I find start-up grants for my nonprofit?
It sounds like a simple question, but I find myself hesitating because it really isn’t that simple. Most people who ask that question haven’t yet come to grips with their unrealistic views of how a nonprofit functions. Answering the question is not as simple as giving you a list of funders (wouldn’t life be easy that way), but it means a better understanding of how grant-making works and how to approach your grant writing strategy overall.