Starting a Nonprofit

Overview
Perlman & Perlman has helped hundreds of nonprofit organizations incorporate and obtain federal tax-exemption. Our clients include community-based organizations, nonprofits operating national and international programs, corporate or family foundations, churches and other religious institutions, and “friends of” organizations that support international charities.

Our firm can guide you through the process of nonprofit formation. Our services start with determining the right entity type and governance structure, then drafting the entity formation and governance documents, and managing and submitting the application for federal tax-exempt status. To ensure that your organization remains compliant, we will help you understand the legal requirements and restrictions applicable to the organization’s status as a tax-exempt nonprofit, including the tax rules governing revenue-generating activities, restrictions on political and lobbying activities, and restrictions on conferring benefits on any private individuals or entities. 

Legal Consultation
We offer a one-hour consultation with an attorney to advise you on how to establish your organization as a legal entity. If you choose to utilize our nonprofit formation services, we will credit the consultation fee against our fee to assist with the nonprofit formation and tax-exemption process.

Nonprofit Formation
Typically, setting up a new nonprofit organization involves three key steps:

• File your Certificate of Incorporation with the state, which should include certain language required by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).
• Adopt Bylaws, appoint initial directors and officers, adopt initial corporate resolutions, and apply for a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• Prepare and file an application for federal tax-exempt status with the IRS.

Our firm’s dedicated team includes an attorney and paralegal, to help manage all of these steps for you.

Additional Legal Services
Beyond our nonprofit formation services, we can help you determine if your organization may benefit by applying for state sales tax exemption, state income tax exemption, or property tax exemption, or if you need to qualify to do business in another state. We also assist with legal issues relating to charitable fundraising, grantmaking, contracts, leases, employment, trademarks, and use of technology and social media. Some clients engage our firm to serve as outside “general counsel” to advise on ongoing legal matters to ensure that their organization is legally protected when conducting its program activities, and in compliance with the regulatory requirements applicable to nonprofits.

Contact Us!
Please send us an e-mail or call us for information on our fees and services or to set up an appointment.