FUNDING THE MISSION
HOW TO START A 501C3 ORGANIZATION
Dr. Nikki D. Jean-Simon
Dr. Nikki Jean-Simon
Pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church in Ewing, NJ
Former Pastor of Duryee Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Schenectady, NY
Founder of Duryee Community Foundation
Former Early Head Start Director
Founder of Nicolle D. Harris & Company
Matthew 25:35-40
English Standard Version
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’
Your Mission Statement does not have to be long. It should be direct and concise.
Smithsonian: The increase and diffusion of knowledge.
The Humane Society: Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty.
American Diabetes Association: To prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
Duryee Community Foundation: Our mission is to aid families and individuals in need within the city of Schenectady and surrounding areas. We aim to support self-sufficiency by providing training & supplemental services that deliver fundamental needs. This mission is met by providing services such as transitional housing, job training, life skill courses and tutoring programs.
You want to find at least 3 people to serve on your board. They will serve as the governing body for your organization. Please inform them that you may need their name and address to put on your Certificate of Incorporation.
Bylaws are rules made by an organization to control the actions of its members.
Bylaws must be signed by board members Bylaws can be revised
(EIN) Employer Identification Number
Your EIN (Employee Identification Number) is free. When you get to the website scroll down and click where it says apply online now.
Certificate of Incorporation
Every state has its own process
Make sure you apply to be a nonprofit and not a business
The document will likely have the state seal on it.
New Jersey
https://www.njportal.com/DOR/BusinessFormation/CompanyInformation/BusinessName
New York
https://dos.ny.gov/certificate-incorporation-domestic-not-profit-corporations-0
Connecticut
https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/license-services-division/license-division/non-profit-organization?language=en_US
Maine
https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/forms/nonprofit/mnpca6.pdf
Rhode Island
https://business.sos.ri.gov/corp/FilingForms/0300013.asp?stage=DataInput
Massachusetts
https://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corpweb/loginsystem/ListNewFilings.aspx?FilingMethod=I
Submitting your 1023 EZ Application
Remember before starting the application consider the following things.
· Your Budget
· Your Narrative
· Your List of Activities
It is our suggestion that you start small with your non-profit with a budget of less than $10,000 per year. Think of a small project that your organization can take on. See the link for the website posted below. Be patient and remember YOU CAN DO THIS! Scroll down and you will see where to apply for the 1023EZ https://www.pay.gov/public/home
After you hit the submit button and pay the $275 or $600 fee
You wait for the IRS to send your approval letter or a letter requesting the additional information they would like for you to submit.
Suggestions on what to do while you are waiting
o Have a few board meetings
oStart working on your fundraising plan
oStart designing a website or Social Media Page for your organization
oDo surveys with the population you intend to serve
oAttend a seminar on grant funding
Please remember to file your 990 every year. Not filing for 3 consecutive years will result in you losing your tax-exempt status.
Most small tax-exempt organizations whose annual gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less can satisfy their annual reporting requirement by electronically submitting Form 990-N if they choose not to file Form 990 or Form 990-EZ instead.
