Corporate bylaws are legally required in Texas. Don't mess with Texas—skipping this step could have serious consequences.
1) What does it take to start a nonprofit organization? File articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State; Convene a meeting of the board at which by-laws are adopted; Apply to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for Federal, tax-exempt status; Obtain any required municipal or State operating permits / licenses;
The Texas Business Organizations Code requires a nonprofit corporation to have at least three directors, one president, and one secretary. The same person cannot be both the president and secretary. Officers and directors must be natural persons, but may be known by other titles.
Your bylaws should help you resolve internal conflict, and demonstrate your commitment to responsibly managing donations to both the IRS and the general public. Not all states require nonprofits to draft these governing documents, but Texas does.
Texas nonprofits have a few essential rules when it comes to their board of directors: There must be a minimum of three board members. A president and secretary must be included in those board members. The same person cannot be both president and secretary.
Traditionally, when starting a nonprofit, the best choice for legal structure is to form a nonprofit corporation at the state level and to apply for 501(c)(3) tax exemption at the federal level.
Can one person be the sole director and officer of a nonprofit corporation? No. The Texas Business Organizations Code requires a nonprofit corporation to have at least three directors, one president, and one secretary.
An organizational charter, often referred to as a “charter” for short, is a formal document that outlines an organization's purpose, mission, values, goals, and structure.