Before you start

There are five steps to follow in establishing a nonprofit organization in Arizona and there are several very good resources that will help you. But before you take any of these steps you must ask yourself two questions:

1. "Why do I want to start a nonprofit organization rather than a for-profit organization?"

Either form of organization may be appropriate for providing the service you wish to perform. And both types of organizations are businesses. So what is the difference? The following chart summarizes some of the main similarities and differences:

2. "Are there other organizations in the community that do what it is I propose to do?" If so: Is what I propose different than what any of them already do? Can I become a program of one of them rather than start a new business?

In the United States there are approximately 1,600,000 nonprofit organizations of which about 800,000 are charities. In Arizona, there are more than 29,000 registered nonprofits of which about 19,000 are currently operating. It is reported that approximately 1500 new nonprofits are started in Arizona each year. Thus there are many others working to make our community a better place for all who live here.

Each of these nonprofit organizations serves a perceived need. In some cases, they are the sole providers of a service; in others, they are among several. It is important to determine whether your proposed program fills a specific niche or whether it may be a duplication. If it is the latter, the chances of developing financial support and clientele may be limited.

It is entirely feasible that your proposed program can be part of an existing nonprofit organization. Such might fill your desire to provide a needed service and it might expand the reach of the existing nonprofit in fulfilling its mission. Your market research should inform you of those potential organizations. Should such a partnership be successful, it is entirely possible that sometime in the future it might serve the purposes of all involved to spin off your program into a separate nonprofit organization. It is worth a serious conversation with those nonprofits to determine what is your best course of action.

In considering whether or not to form a nonprofit it is also important to realize that forming and maintaining a nonprofit has become increasingly difficult and expensive due to new regulations governing the sector. What was an extremely simple process now requires a clear mission and core of support. Make this decision with care. We strongly recommend you study the benefits and disadvantages as outlined by Anthony Mancuso in How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation NOLO 8th Edition. pp. 9-15.

What is a nonprofit organization?

Before you go further, you are encouraged to download from the IRS site both Publication 557 and the Instructions and form for Form 1023.[1] Please read these. The information in them is extremely valuable and will help you make more informed decisions.

Nonprofit organizations represent individual or collective action to address a problem or enhance society in ways other than that provided through governments (federal, state, local) or for individual profit (corporate stockholders, partners, sole proprietors).

Bruce Hopkins, in his book, "Starting and Managing a Nonprofit Organization: A Legal Guide" quotes the 1973 congressional testimony of then Secretary of the Treasury, George P. Shultz, who said that charitable organizations "are an important influence for diversity and a bulwark against overreliance on big government."[2]

Thus nonprofits are voluntary organizations with a primary purpose of serving the public good. They are exempt from federal taxes and many state and local taxes. This tax-exempt status is supported by a U.S. Supreme Court decision in which the following appears: "The State has an affirmative policy that considers these groups as beneficial and stabilizing influences in community life and finds this classification [tax exemption] useful, desirable, and in the public interest."[3]

Additional rationale for tax benefits is found in a federal court of appeals decision: "One stated reason for a deduction or exemption of this kind is that the favored entity performs a public service and benefits the public or relieves it of a burden which otherwise belongs to it."[4]

Some types of nonprofit organizations must evidence that they are publicly supported by proving they "regularly solicit funds from the general community." Public support may include government funds. The IRS has developed various tests to help determine if one meets these requirements. These are known as the "public support tests."[5]

Tax-exempt classifications are determined by the federal IRS. There are 32 different classifications of nonprofit organizations that receive exemptions from various taxes. Only 9 of these classifications may offer those who support it with grants and/or donations the right to declare their contributions as tax deductible. Charities with a 501 (c)(3) IRS classification comprise the bulk of those that can offer tax deductibility.[6]

Nonprofit organizations are not "owned" by anyone. The responsibility for legal and financial matters rests with its board of directors which is responsible for overall governance and stewardship. In some cases, the organization's membership may "control" it by virtue of its power of vote for those who serve on the board of directors.

Members of nonprofit boards of directors serve without compensation except that they may be reimbursed for expenses incurred as part of their voluntary service. Boards of directors are responsible for assuring that the organization adheres to the principles of "no private inurement," and the avoidance of "private gain" and "conflicts of interest." These important principles are explained in the resources listed in this FAQ.

Nonprofit organizations may make a profit - as long as that excess of income over expenses is returned to the organization in pursuit of its mission. The expenses may include compensation paid to employees - as long as it is in accordance with community standards for the same work, thus avoiding issues of "private inurement" and "private gain."

Nonprofit organizations must file annual federal tax information reports, called Form 990. As of January 1, 2009 all nonprofits must file annual 990 forms. It should be noted that Forms 990 that have been filed with the IRS are made available to anyone over the Internet and a copy of such must be provided anyone who asks.[7] Additionally, Arizona - and most states - requires annual registration as a charity along with a financial statement.

What a nonprofit organization is not

There are certain precepts that a nonprofit organization must maintain in order to assure its tax-exempt status and the ability to offer tax deductibility to its donors. A nonprofit organization may not distribute profit to individuals in their private capacity.

Charities must be organized and operated so that "no part of…[its] net earnings…inures to the benefit of any private shareholder of individual."[8] They may not solicit or receive contributions directly for specifically named individuals. They may not offer opportunities for private gain to any of its directors, trustees, officers, or key employees.

As an organization governed by a board of directors, no one person may hold control. Nonprofits are held to the highest standards of public trust; they may not keep secret their standard annual tax information reports (IRS Form 990).

Five-step process

1. Thoroughly researched business plan with market analysis.

See www.boardsource.org for information on governance and strategic planning. A basic plan will consist of, minimally, the following components:

• Mission of potential organization
• Description of service or product
• Need or marketability of service or product
• Analysis of marketplace including full descriptions of real or potential competition
• Cost projections over 5 year period
• Income projections over 5 year period
• Expertise needed to perform service or product projections
• Board of directors
• Biographies of you, the board of directors, and other key people. Be sure to note expertise in service, program, management, and governance.

Financial support in the forms of grants and donations can be very difficult to obtain in the first few years. In addition to keen competition from well-established nonprofits, new organizations must prove their market niche, expertise, and stewardship of resources before many funders and donors will help support them. Therefore, a thoroughly researched business plan is essential.

2. State Incorporation (fee is charged) [9]

Register with the Arizona Corporation Commission. This incorporates your organization as a nonprofit. You do not need to incorporate but there are multiple reasons to do so including protection from personal liability.[10] You may access the information and the forms you need via Internet: http://www.azcc.gov/Divisions/Corporations/forms/formsindex.asp 

A similar process will be required in any other state; information is available via each state’s website or Mancuso’s "How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation in all 50 States."

Note: In Arizona while you are preparing to start a nonprofit, you may – in advance – reserve the name you have created for your organization. The Secretary of State and the Corporation Commission offices have registration of trade name forms.

3. Obtain EIN

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) is the equivalent of your corporation’s federal ID number, similar to your own social security number. The form for obtaining this number is SS-4, available over the Internet at www.irs.gov. The easiest and quickest way to obtain the number is to apply online from the IRS website.[11] You will need this number for banking and for the next step.

5. Register with State (fees may be charged):

The Arizona Corporation Commission requires the filing of an annual report each year. The forms will be sent to you. Your latest Form 990 must be attached. Go to https://www.azcc.gov/ for information.

Registration with the Arizona Department of Revenue is required to obtain tax exemption. Contact the Department to determine if you are exempt from sales tax: https://azdor.gov/

If you will be employing persons, register with the state unemployment insurance bureau. Information and forms are available at https://www.azdes.gov.

Note: You will need to complete numerous forms for various regulatory agencies. It is your responsibility to research and know these. Some of these are referenced below:

1. You may also wish to apply for a nonprofit mailing permit from the US Postal Service.https://pe.usps.com/BusinessMail101?ViewName=NonprofitApplication
2. Obtain directors and officers liability insurance. Go to www.nonprofitrisk.org for information about risk management and insurance.
3. Understand if you need special licenses or permits for your specific area of service. Professionals and accrediting agencies will be helpful.
4. Contact your county assessor to determine if you might qualify for property tax exemption. Most nonprofits do not qualify.
5. Seek assistance in establishing accounting processes and procedures. Understand the rules for filing the IRS Form 990 which is a public document.

Five topics to know for your success

Each of the following topics is essential to your success. Information about them is available at the various resources listed below. In addition, the ASU Lodestar Center offers training through its Nonprofit Management Institute. Please see the course schedule posted on this site.

• Governance: what are legal responsibilities of boards of directors; how do they operate
• Financial Management: what are the basic accounting and audit requirements; how to develop and read nonprofit financial statements
• Program Knowledge: how to evaluate programming and evaluate for effectiveness.
• Resource Development: how to develop donor relationships that lead to effective fundraising; foundation and corporate fund raising.
• Nonprofit Law and Ethics: what specific laws to know and how to understand and make decisions that are ethical and sound.

Notes

1. http://www.irs.gov.
2. Hopkins, Bruce, Starting and Managing a Nonprofit Organization: A Legal Guide, 3rd ed., Wiley Nonprofit Series, John Wiley & Sons. 2004. Chapter 1 p.7.
3. Hopkins, Bruce, Starting and Managing a Nonprofit Organization: A Legal Guide, 3rd ed., Wiley Nonprofit Series, John Wiley & Sons. 2004. Chapter 1 p.7.
4. Hopkins, Bruce, Starting and Managing a Nonprofit Organization: A Legal Guide, 3rd ed., Wiley Nonprofit Series, John Wiley & Sons. 2004. Chapter 1 p.7.
5. Mancuso, Anthony, How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation in All 50 States, 8th ed., NOLO Press. 2007. Chapter 4 p.61-69
6. IRS, Publication 557.
7. http://www.guidestar.org.
8. Hopkins, Bruce, Starting and Managing a Nonprofit Organization: A Legal Guide, 3rd ed., Wiley Nonprofit Series, John Wiley & Sons. 2000. Chapter 5. p.56
9. Some of the resources below are specific to Arizona, Visit your state website and search for similar departments and/or tax-exempt and/or nonprofit
10. Hopkins; Mancuso.
11. Hopkins, Bruce, Starting and Managing a Nonprofit Organization: A Legal Guide, 3rd ed., Wiley Nonprofit Series, John Wiley & Sons. 2000. Chapter 2; Mancuso, Anthony, How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation in All 50 States, 4th ed., NOLO Press. 2002. Chapter 2.
12. Mancuso, Anthony, How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation in All 50 States, 4th ed., NOLO Press. 2002. Chapter 8. pg 148.

Related Resources

Education, Training & Assistance:

• Arizona State University Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, https://lodestar.asu.edu/
  • "How to Start a Nonprofit": a webinar that includes review of forms and federal and state processes
  • Nonprofit Management Institute: certificate programs on topics of importance to nonprofit leadership and management
• Area community colleges and professional and trade associations offer a variety of courses on nonprofit management issues throughout the year. These are often published in school catalogs and through mailings distributed to nonprofit organizations.
• The Arizona Community Legal Assistance (ACLA) program provides free legal assistance (non-litigation) to new and existing charitable community organizations in the health and human service area. Contact: Phoenix - 602-258-3434, ext. 247; Tucson - 520-623-9465.

Publications:

• Hopkins, Bruce, Starting and Managing a Nonprofit Organization: A Legal Guide, 3rd ed., Wiley Nonprofit Series, John Wiley & Sons.
• Mancuso, Anthony, How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation in All 50 States, 4th ed., NOLO Press.

Websites:

• Arizona Corporation Commission, https://www.azcc.gov/ go to Corporations. Find Checklists, Instructions, Forms on left. Click on Domestic Profit and Nonprofit Corporations. Follow instructions.
• Arizona Department of Employment, https://az.gov/work/employment Go to Unemployment, then to Employer's UI Tax Handbook. You are looking for information on who must provide and pay for unemployment insurance and how to register.
• Arizona Department of Revenue, https://azdor.gov/ Go to Non-Profit Organizations for Publication 501 explaining which nonprofits are exempt from sales tax.
• Arizona Department of Revenue, https://des.az.gov/services/employment/unemployment-individual for unemployment insurance information and forms.
• Arizona Secretary of State, https://azsos.gov/. You are looking for Arizona Statute 44-6552.
• BoardSource, www.boardsource.org type in How to Start a Nonprofit in Search window. Also search this site for information on governance and strategic planning.
• Candid, https://candid.org Includes FAQ section on how to start a nonprofit.
• Guidestar, www.guidestar.org Posts all Forms 990. A good reference for better understanding this important reporting form.
• Grand Valley State University, "How To Start a Nonprofit," www.gvsu.edu/philanthropy.
• Internal Revenue Service, www.irs.gov Search Forms & Publications for SS-4, Publication 557, and Form 1023.
• National Alliance for Nonprofit Mailers, https://www.nonprofitmailers.org/ for information and assistance in obtaining a permit.
• Nonprofit Risk Management Center, www.nonprofitrisk.org for information about how to assess your needs and types of insurance.
• Miller, Steven T. Director of Exempt Organizations at IRS, article, "Easier Compliance Is Goal of New Intermediate Sanction Regulations." Internal Revenue Service, www.irs.gov

Contact us

Please note that websites frequently change and while we endeavor to keep links current, some might not work. When you encounter such a problem, you can help us by sending an email to nonprofit@asu.edu so that we might investigate and make changes to our information and links.

Copyright

Copyright © Arizona Board of Regents for and on behalf of the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, Arizona State University. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission of the ASU Lodestar Center, except for brief quotations in critical reviews.

Illustration by Jocelyn Ruiz.