(888) 340-0089
Sign inGet Started

Help Center

Browse our guides and articles to get the most out of Beacon Nonprofit.

Ongoing Compliance

  • How can I keep track of nonprofit compliance deadlines?
  • What if my nonprofit changes directors or officers after formation?
  • Where should I keep my nonprofit formation and IRS documents?
  • What should I do if the IRS contacts my nonprofit after filing?
  • Can Beacon Nonprofit guarantee that the IRS will approve my 501(c)(3)?
  • Does expedited nonprofit formation speed up IRS 501(c)(3) approval?
  • What happens if the state rejects my nonprofit Articles of Incorporation?
  • Why is my nonprofit formation taking longer than expected?
  • What should I do if my nonprofit name is spelled differently on two records?
  • How do I know when my nonprofit state filing is approved?
  • Are state nonprofit reports the same as IRS Form 990?
  • When is a nonprofit Form 990 due?
  • What is Form 990-PF?
  • What is Form 990?
  • What is Form 990-EZ?
  • What annual IRS return does a nonprofit file?
  • What happens if a nonprofit misses required annual filings for three years?
  • What happens if a nonprofit misses one annual IRS filing?
  • Can a nonprofit extend the Form 990 filing deadline?
  • What is Form 990-N?

Choosing a Nonprofit Type

  • What should a mission-specific nonprofit verify beyond formation?
  • Can Beacon Nonprofit help form an advocacy group?
  • Can Beacon Nonprofit help form a medical or environmental nonprofit?
  • Can an advocacy nonprofit endorse a candidate if it has 501(c)(3) status?
  • Can an environmental nonprofit receive grants for conservation work?
  • Can a medical nonprofit conduct research?
  • Can an environmental nonprofit qualify for 501(c)(3) status?
  • Can a health-focused nonprofit qualify for 501(c)(3) status?
  • Can a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educate the public about policy issues?
  • Can an advocacy organization qualify for 501(c)(3) status?
  • What should a scholarship nonprofit prepare before applying for 501(c)(3)?
  • Can Beacon Nonprofit help with an educational nonprofit’s 501(c)(3) application?
  • Can an educational nonprofit apply for grants?
  • What governance documents does an educational nonprofit need?
  • Does a nonprofit school automatically qualify for 501(c)(3)?
  • Can an educational nonprofit charge tuition or program fees?
  • Can a nonprofit provide scholarships?
  • Can a tutoring program be organized as a nonprofit?
  • What types of educational nonprofits can Beacon help form?
  • Can an educational organization qualify for 501(c)(3) status?
  • Is a religious nonprofit the same as a church?
  • What information should a faith-based founder prepare before formation?
  • Can Beacon Nonprofit help form a religious organization?
  • Can a 501(c)(3) religious organization endorse political candidates?
  • Can a faith-based nonprofit run community-service programs?
  • Does a religious nonprofit need a board of directors?
  • Can a religious nonprofit receive tax-deductible donations?
  • Can a ministry that is not a church apply for 501(c)(3) status?
  • Does a church have to apply to the IRS for 501(c)(3) recognition?
  • Can a church qualify for 501(c)(3) status?
  • How should a founder decide between a public charity and a private foundation?
  • Can a public charity lose its public charity classification?
  • Can a private foundation run its own charitable programs?
  • Does a private foundation file a different annual return?
  • What is a private foundation?
  • What is a 509(a)(2) public charity?
  • What is a 509(a)(1) public charity?
  • What is the public support test for a nonprofit?
  • How does the IRS classify a new 501(c)(3) as a public charity or private foundation?
  • What is the difference between a public charity and a private foundation?

Money, Compensation, and Taxes

  • Does tax-exempt status mean a nonprofit never pays taxes?
  • Can a nonprofit make a profit at the end of the year?
  • What are restricted funds in a nonprofit?
  • How should a nonprofit handle a financial conflict of interest?
  • Can a nonprofit reimburse founders, directors, or volunteers for expenses?
  • What does reasonable compensation mean for a nonprofit?
  • Can nonprofit board members be paid?
  • Can a nonprofit founder be paid a salary?
  • What documents might a bank request from a nonprofit?
  • Why should a nonprofit have a separate bank account?

Donations, Fundraising, and Grants

  • When does a nonprofit have to file Form 990-T?
  • What is unrelated business income for a nonprofit?
  • Can a nonprofit sell products to raise money?
  • Can a nonprofit charge fees for programs or services?
  • Can a nonprofit charge membership dues?
  • Can a nonprofit use crowdfunding?
  • Can a nonprofit receive corporate sponsorships?
  • What is a fiscal sponsor?
  • Do I need 501(c)(3) status to apply for grants?
  • How do new nonprofits usually get funding?
  • Can a nonprofit accept restricted donations for a specific program?
  • Can a nonprofit hold fundraising events?
  • Does online fundraising create multi-state registration issues?
  • Does a nonprofit need to register before fundraising?
  • Can a nonprofit accept noncash donations?
  • What is a quid pro quo charitable contribution?
  • What acknowledgment is required for a charitable contribution of $250 or more?
  • What should a nonprofit donation receipt include?
  • When are donations to a nonprofit tax deductible?
  • Can a new nonprofit accept donations before receiving a 501(c)(3) determination letter?

Registered Agents

  • What does it mean for a nonprofit to be in good standing?
  • What is a nonprofit annual report to the state?
  • Does a nonprofit need a registered agent in every state where it operates?
  • Why might a nonprofit use a professional registered agent service?
  • Can a nonprofit change its registered agent?
  • Can a P.O. box be used as a nonprofit registered agent address?
  • Does a registered agent need a physical street address?
  • Can a nonprofit founder be the registered agent?
  • Does a nonprofit need a registered agent?
  • What is a registered agent for a nonprofit?

Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status

  • What should I do if my nonprofit changes its address while the IRS application is pending?
  • Can a Form 1023-EZ application be expedited?
  • Can the IRS reject a Form 1023-EZ if my nonprofit is not eligible?
  • Does a nonprofit have to file Form 990 while its 501(c)(3) application is pending?
  • Can a nonprofit operate while its 501(c)(3) application is pending?
  • What is an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter?
  • What if the IRS asks for more information about my nonprofit?
  • How long does IRS 501(c)(3) approval take?
  • How can I check the status of a 501(c)(3) application?
  • What happens after I submit a 501(c)(3) application?
  • What financial information is needed for a 501(c)(3) application?
  • Why does Form 1023 ask for a narrative of activities?
  • What documents should I prepare before a 501(c)(3) application?
  • How much is the IRS fee for Form 1023-EZ?
  • How much is the IRS fee for Form 1023?
  • Where is a 501(c)(3) application filed?
  • What is the difference between Form 1023 and Form 1023-EZ?
  • Who can use Form 1023-EZ?
  • What is IRS Form 1023-EZ?
  • What is IRS Form 1023?
  • Can a 501(c)(3) earn income from selling goods or services?
  • Can a 501(c)(3) support or oppose political candidates?
  • Can a 501(c)(3) lobby?
  • Can a 501(c)(3) pay employees or founders?
  • What is private inurement in a 501(c)(3)?
  • Can a scientific or research nonprofit qualify for 501(c)(3)?
  • Can a religious organization qualify for 501(c)(3)?
  • Can an educational organization qualify for 501(c)(3)?
  • What does charitable purpose mean for 501(c)(3)?
  • What purposes can qualify for 501(c)(3) status?

EINs and Banking

  • What should I do if I lose my EIN confirmation letter?
  • What should I do if my nonprofit changes its name after getting an EIN?
  • Does a nonprofit without employees still need an EIN?
  • Can I open a nonprofit bank account with an EIN?
  • Is an EIN the same as 501(c)(3) status?
  • Who is the responsible party on a nonprofit EIN application?
  • When should a nonprofit apply for an EIN?
  • Is an EIN free for a nonprofit?
  • Does every nonprofit need an EIN?
  • What is an EIN for a nonprofit?

Board of Directors and Governance

  • Can a nonprofit board change its bylaws?
  • How often should a nonprofit board meet?
  • Why should a nonprofit keep board meeting minutes?
  • Does the IRS require a conflict-of-interest policy?
  • What are nonprofit bylaws?
  • What is the difference between a director and an officer of a nonprofit?
  • What does a nonprofit board of directors do?
  • Can family members serve together on a nonprofit board?
  • How many directors does a nonprofit need?
  • Does a nonprofit need a board of directors?

Mission, Purpose, and Planning

  • Can my nonprofit use a different public-facing name from its legal name?
  • Why should my nonprofit name match across filings?
  • Can my nonprofit run more than one program under the same mission?
  • How specific should a nonprofit mission be?
  • What is the difference between a mission statement and a purpose clause?
  • What is a nonprofit mission statement?
  • Can I change my nonprofit’s legal name later?
  • Can two nonprofits have similar names?
  • How can I check whether a nonprofit name is available?
  • How do I choose a name for a nonprofit organization?

Nonprofit Formation and Incorporation

  • What should I do after my nonprofit Articles of Incorporation are approved?
  • Why do nonprofit formation requirements vary by state?
  • Do initial directors have to be listed in the Articles of Incorporation?
  • What is an incorporator of a nonprofit?
  • Does a nonprofit need a registered agent in its Articles of Incorporation?
  • Why is a dissolution clause important for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit?
  • Why is the purpose clause important in nonprofit Articles of Incorporation?
  • What information is usually required in nonprofit Articles of Incorporation?
  • When does a nonprofit corporation legally exist?
  • What are Articles of Incorporation for a nonprofit?

Beacon Nonprofit Services

  • Does Beacon Nonprofit offer registered agent service?
  • Does Beacon Nonprofit provide corporate bylaws?
  • Can Beacon Nonprofit help me get an EIN?
  • Can Beacon Nonprofit help with a 501(c)(3) application?
  • Does Beacon Nonprofit prepare and file Articles of Incorporation?
  • Does Beacon Nonprofit check whether my nonprofit name is available?
  • What is the difference between BeaconStart and BeaconComplete?
  • What is included in BeaconComplete?
  • What is included in BeaconStart?
  • What does Beacon Nonprofit do?

Getting Started With a Nonprofit

  • What is the difference between a nonprofit and a for-profit business?
  • Can I plan programs before my nonprofit is officially formed?
  • How much does it cost to start a nonprofit?
  • How long does it take to start a nonprofit?
  • What information should I gather before forming a nonprofit?
  • Do I need money before I start a nonprofit?
  • Can one person start a nonprofit organization?
  • Is forming a nonprofit the same as getting 501(c)(3) status?
  • What is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit?
  • What is a nonprofit organization?
190 articles found

Any questions?

We're available Monday through Friday from 9am - 6pm CST

What We Do

Our Packages
Formation
501(c)(3) Application
Sitemap

Who We Serve

Public Charities
Private Foundations
Religious Organizations
Advocacy Groups
Educational Institutions
Medical/Environmental Groups

Learn More

Blog
Help Center
Start Nonprofit Organization
How to Form a Nonprofit Organization in 8 Steps
How Nonprofits Get Funding
Public Charity vs. Private Foundation
Nonprofit Compliance Checklist

Company

Support
About Us
Partner Marketplace
FAQs
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
360 Legal

Privacy Settings

Meet Our Authors

Privacy Policy

Beacon Nonprofit is a document filing service. We are not a law firm and cannot offer legal advice. The information on our website is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Use of the website is subject to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.