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We’re excited about the opportunity to work with you and support your nonprofit’s growth and success. At The Foundery, we’re committed to providing the expertise and guidance you need to build a strong foundation for your organization.
Let’s take the next step together—explore our services and contact us today to discuss how we can help you achieve your goals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone with a clear mission to serve a charitable, educational, religious, or public benefit purpose can start a nonprofit. However, there are specific requirements, such as forming a legal entity, appointing a board of directors, and creating bylaws. Organizations must also adhere to state and federal regulations to qualify for tax-exempt status.
Starting a nonprofit involves defining your mission and purpose, creating a legal entity, filing for tax-exempt status, and establishing a board of directors. Clear organizational planning, including a business and fundraising strategy, also plays a crucial role in the early stages.
The 501(c)(3) status is a federal designation that allows a nonprofit to be exempt from federal income tax and enables donors to make tax-deductible contributions. It is a crucial step for organizations seeking to increase funding opportunities and credibility within their community.
Fiscal sponsorship allows a new nonprofit to operate under the tax-exempt status of an established organization while they build the capacity to apply for their own status. This can help startups access funding, reduce administrative costs, and gain stability in the early stages. Fiscal sponsorship is also an option for an existing operation that would be better served by outsourcing their fundraising management to a skilled financial team.
Launching a nonprofit can take anywhere from a few weeks for a state formation up to a year to receive an IRS determination. Developing a strategic plan, preparing necessary documents, and submitting applications are critical steps that impact the timeline. After filing, timing is determined by the state and federal capacity to review tax-exempt applications. Using a Fiscal Sponsor allows you to get started right away while you go through the process.
The costs of starting a nonprofit vary widely but generally include state incorporation fees, federal filing fees for tax-exempt status, and any legal, professional, or administrative costs to support the organizational process. Additional costs for developing programs, hiring staff, or marketing can also impact the budget. As a baseline, a DIY startup could cost as little as $1500 for the paperwork, while a fully-supported startup might cost around $10,000.
The Foundery is a nonprofit support service specializing in four key areas: nonprofit formation, strategic planning, fiscal sponsorship, and administrative compliance. We help new and emerging nonprofits by providing essential guidance and operational services tailored to their needs, allowing founders to focus on their mission.
The Foundery focuses on providing practical, operational support tailored to nonprofits in their early stages, focusing on essential services like startup assistance, fiscal sponsorship, strategic planning, and compliance. We work directly with founders to build a solid foundation, allowing them to focus on their mission with the confidence that they have the structural support needed for growth.
Yes, while The Foundery specializes in helping new or emerging nonprofits, we also assist established organizations looking to refine their strategies, maintain compliance, or explore fiscal sponsorship options. Our services are designed to support nonprofits at any point where they need additional administrative or operational guidance.
The Foundery works with a wide range of nonprofits, from community-focused organizations to cause-based initiatives, helping them build strong foundations for sustainable growth. We welcome founders with diverse missions and visions who are committed to creating impactful organizations that meet compliance and operational standards.
No, The Foundery does not provide grants or funding directly. Our focus is on operational and strategic support to help nonprofits establish a sustainable structure and effective planning for future fundraising.
The Foundery works with individuals and groups across the spectrum of social entrepreneurship. Whether you're a founder building a new nonprofit, or a small public benefit organization that has reached its capacity and needs assistance to scale, having access to our staff and resources can be a benefit to everyone. If you're doing something good, we want to help.
