Our nonprofit start-up assistance services go far beyond basic document preparation. We also provide comprehensive organizational development services to ensure that, as newly established organizations, our nonprofit clients have the administrative foundation necessary to run effective programs, attract and retain dedicated staff and volunteers, raise needed funds and govern in accordance with sound management practices.
The comprehensive process includes the following steps:
- Facilitate mission building sessions with key organizational stakeholders and document a high-level organizational profile, which will be used to describe the organization's purpose in the IRS application document.
- Develop a comprehensive profile of the target population, including identifying their unmet needs, how the organization's programs will address their needs and identify any potential collaborative opportunities with similar organizations.
- Develop and document organizational bi-laws. This involves establishing effective checks and balances for board members as they fulfill their respective roles. This step also includes defining the respective roles and responsibilities of general board members as well as those of the executive board and related committees.
- Develop and file Articles of Incorporation with the appropriate start agency (usually the state's Attorney General's office) so that the organization is recognized at the state level.
- Facilitate the board recruitment process by developing the process and tools to be used to:
- Establish appropriate board composition.
- Identify potential candidates to fill board positions.
- Solicit participation of potential candidates.
- Interview / meet with potential candidates
- Provide guidance to chosen candidates through the development of a comprehensive board orientation and welcome packet, etc.
- Host and facilitate the organization's first board meeting - (to elect board members, adopt bi-laws, and elect first officers). This also involves scheduling the meeting, drafting and circulating the agenda, facilitating the meeting, drafting minutes of first meeting - helping to set the course for future meetings by developing a meeting schedule and sample / recommended agendas for future meetings.
- Develop a three (3) year organizational budget the outlines the funds that will be needed to implement the organization's intended programs and sustain the organization over time.
- Prepare and file the organization's IRS Form 1023 - Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and serve as primary contact as the application is being reviewed by IRS agents.
- Apply for charitable contributions salutation license through the State of Michigan (or the state in which the organization is formed) on behalf of the client.
Throughout the above described nonprofit start-up process, we will provide advice and guidance to the organization's founder(s) and ultimately also help them assess the feasibility of their endeavor based on environmental factors outside of their control.
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