Your board members should include at least a President, Treasurer, and Secretary—but make sure to check the specific requirements for your state. Choose board members who are both committed to your cause and experienced in varied key areas like fundraising development, finance management, and community service. Read more here.

Gather your board to draft the rules for how your nonprofit will operate and hold itself accountable internally—there are free downloadable templates available to help you. Note that if you plan on getting tax-exempt status, you will need to report on changes you make to your bylaws moving forward. Read more about how to write your bylaws.

Some nonprofits opt to find a fiscal sponsor with tax-exempt status in order to get their operation up and running quickly. That way, they may attract new donors who can be assured their contributions are tax-deductible in the short term.

If you choose to go that route, look for a sponsor that fits your mission, and from there you can try to arrange either a comprehensive sponsorship or pre-approved grant based on your organization’s needs. Some sponsors may even provide administrative support by coordinating things like disbursement of funds.

Consider starting your fiscal sponsor search by looking up mission-aligned 501c3 organizations near you—filter by state and category here free of charge.

If you are seeking any 501(c) status under the IRS, the first step is getting your nonprofit incorporated at the state level. Learn how to prepare your nonprofit articles of incorporation. Once you’re ready, look up the state-by-state incorporation forms and fees applicable, and you can always loop in a partner to keep you on track.