<p>Hey guys, I am looking into starting my own Non profit organization (I live in Connecticut if that makes a difference in anything.) The organization would be designing/hosting/running websites for other nonprofit organizations. I have already started designing websites for local organizations, but I would like to legalize the organization in order for both a great EC, and to add credibility to the organization. </p>
<p>I believe that my parents would HAVE to be the ones to officially found the organization, so what would you guys suggest I use to document that I am actually the one running and organizing everything to do with this business? </p>
<p>If there are there any other teens (or anyone for that matter) that have started their own NP organizations could you give me some suggestions on what to do.</p>
<p>Sorry if I sound a bit confused (because I am) so thank you for helping =D (Also wasn't exactly sure where to post this, but this seems to make sense as I have found other posts relating to NPO's in this subforum..)</p>
<p>To get 501(c)3 status, you'll have to apply to the IRS. Your parents will have to actually sign-off on everything, but I'm sure you can explain in your app that you are the one who ran the business.</p>
<p>Thanks alot mj93, I actually talked to my uncle who is a lawyer, and he said he would help me out.</p>
<p>Another thing I was wondering was that I would need to get articles of incorporation first, so thats a whole other battle..Has anyone done this before, because im wondering how much it will end up costing me..am I better off just not filling anything and putting it on my college app anyway, or will I get more credit from the colleges if I actually file all the papers, pay the dues, and do everything that goes along with it..</p>
<p>Thanks again mj93 i'll take a close look at that site, which I didn't happen to see while I was searching on google.</p>
<p>I have gone through the same exact battle. In my situation, I wanted to start a NPO that donated running shoes to student athletes who could not afford them and here is what i found. Instead of going through the official process, it is a lot easier to run it independently. I worked with a local corporation who is just going to write it off (I think) and I might have to go through the pain of becoming legit this summer but it is a true head ache. The IRS wanted $750 from me and that is just money i don't have! There are also things that must be addressed such as: Board of Trustees, Operating Costs, etc. It's honestly a huge hassle, whether this is legit or not I can say that I started my own charity/non-profit. I also have an uncle who is a lawyer and there really isn't a way around this other than going around the law. I don't know if I shouldn't call "Share the Sole" a non-profit, but it really is, or a charity at least.</p>
<p>Thanks skyhawkk! I've been leaning towards promoting my service on sites, and with local businesses while not officially getting qualified as an NPO. My uncle isn't an attorney in this field, so he wasn't sure how much I was going to have to pay. If its anywhere near as much as you would have had to, I can't pay that either. Did you have any problem with people not thinking you were legit, and do you think it will be fine for you College Application without it legalized..?</p>
<p>Getting NPO status is really a pain in the behind. I agree with skyhawk to do whatever you're doing independently. Good luck! Sounds like a good idea.</p>
<p>skyhawkk08, you shouldn't call it a non profit if you don't have the IRS designation. It makes a difference to anyone who wants to contribute to your organization..they can't get the write off if you don't have the status.</p>
<p>Okay, you're talking about 2 different things here. You can create a non-profit organization under the corporation laws of your state. Once created you can choose to apply for tax-exempt status or not. There are many non-profit corporations that are not exempt from federal tax. Look at the Secretary of State's website for Connecticut. It should have a template form for creating a non-profit organization recognized in Connecticut and the filing fee. There is also likely a document on the website that answers questions about how to operate a non-profit. It's not difficult to create one, but you must follow the state laws to ensure that it is run properly once created.</p>
<p>ebeeeee - I'm not saying I'm lying about that to the government or other organizations, because I don't have a tax number and the owner of the business is either donating them and not writing them off (he's super nice) or has found something that allows him to write it off without me being official. But what I am saying is since this "organization" is only going to have a life of 1 more year, it's pointless to pay $750 dollars and incorporate and make it live forever if I'm only going to have the resources to run it for 1 more year. Therefore I chose not to make it an official NPO, but make it more of a charitable project/organization. Does this make sense? I honestly don't think colleges will care because I could have gone through all the steps to make it official, but that wouldn't help anyone.</p>