Start a nonprofit

Turn your idea into a 501(c)(3), without the guesswork.

Registration, bylaws, your IRS application, a logo and a website, all prepared for you, step by step. Then FundLuma helps you find the funding.

From $499 plus government filing fees, paid by you directly

Choose a package Which IRS form do I need?

Written scope before any work starts
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Choose your starting point

Starter

$499 one-time

Formed and organized, the right way.

Name check against your state registry
Articles of Incorporation prepared with IRS-ready charitable language
EIN walkthrough (the IRS issues it free)
Custom bylaws
Conflict-of-interest policy
First board meeting agenda and minutes

Complete

$1,499 one-time

Everything through your IRS application.

Everything in Starter
IRS Form 1023-EZ or full Form 1023 prepared for you, including the narrative and budget
Your state tax-exemption and charitable-registration checklist
Answers to IRS follow-up questions drafted for you
Your organization profile set up in FundLuma, ready for grant matching

Launch

$2,999 one-time

Ready to be found, funded and trusted.

Everything in Complete
Logo and simple brand kit
Professional 5-page website
Bookkeeping set-up so your records are grant-ready
First month of Luma Watch included

Document preparation and guidance, not legal advice. Government filing fees are paid by you directly. Approval is decided by the IRS and cannot be guaranteed. Questions first? Send us a message.

The road from idea to 501(c)(3)

1
FoundationAbout 1 to 2 weeks
- Define your mission. A clear purpose and the programs that carry it out. The IRS reads this closely.
- Recruit a board. Three unrelated directors is the safe standard. Boards made up only of family draw IRS questions.
- Choose and check your name. Checked against your state registry and trademarks, then reserved.
- Pick a registered agent. A required in-state address for official mail.
2
State incorporationAbout 1 to 4 weeks
- File Articles of Incorporation. With your Secretary of State, using the purpose, dissolution and no-private-benefit language the IRS requires.
- Get your EIN. Your nonprofit’s federal tax ID. It is free and instant from the IRS.
3
GovernanceAbout 1 week
- Adopt bylaws. Board size, terms, officers, meetings, quorum and voting.
- Adopt a conflict-of-interest policy. The IRS expects one.
- Hold your first board meeting. Adopt the bylaws, elect officers, open a bank account and authorize the IRS filing, all in recorded minutes.
4
IRS applicationWeeks to several months
- File Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023. The short form costs $275 and is for small organizations. The full form costs $600 and needs a narrative and a 3-year budget. File within 27 months of incorporating to be recognized from your start date.
- Receive your determination letter. The official proof of 501(c)(3) status that funders ask for.
5
Stay compliantOngoing
- Register to fundraise. Most states require charitable-solicitation registration, and many have their own tax exemption.
- Keep your books and file Form 990. Three missed annual filings in a row cost you your tax-exempt status.
- Start finding grants. With FundLuma, you already have your profile ready.

Which IRS form will you need?

Four quick questions. It takes a minute and costs nothing.

Will your gross receipts (donations and income) be $50,000 or less in each of your first 3 years?YesNo

Will your total assets be $250,000 or less?YesNo

Are you a church, school, hospital or supporting organization of another nonprofit?YesNo

Are you taking over a for-profit business, or has your group already operated for several years?YesNo

Answer all four questions

Then we will tell you which IRS form looks right.

A guide, not legal advice. The IRS publishes its own eligibility worksheet and makes the final call.

Questions

Is this legal advice?

We prepare your documents from your answers and guide you through every step. We are not a law firm, so for questions about your specific situation, an attorney in your state is a good person to ask.

Can you guarantee the IRS will approve us?

No one can. The IRS makes the decision. We prepare your application carefully and complete, which is the best way to avoid delays and avoidable questions.

What do the government fees cost?

They are separate and you pay them directly: your state filing fee (roughly $25 to $400 or more depending on the state) and the IRS fee ($275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for Form 1023).

How long does it take?

State incorporation is usually a few weeks. IRS decisions on the short form often take a few weeks, and the full form can take several months. The IRS controls that part.

Do I need a board first?

You will need directors to adopt your bylaws and sign the application. We help you understand who qualifies and what the board must do.

Have questions first?

Send us a note and we reply by email. Already running a nonprofit? Search grants free.