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.
Top-down. A top-down org chart has the board of directors at the top, followed by the executive team, and then the staff. Decision-making authority flows from the top down, with limited input from lower levels. This org chart is suitable for larger nonprofits that need strong, centralized leadership.
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.
Corporate bylaws are legally required in Massachusetts. The board of directors typically adopt initial bylaws at the first organizational meeting.
The most common nonprofit board member positions are a president (also called the chairperson), vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer. A president, secretary, and treasurer are the mandatory positions, but many nonprofits also have a vice-chair.
Initially, to form the nonprofit, three directors are sufficient. In fact, in Massachusetts, one person is sufficient to form a nonprofit corporation, but this is not recommended for a nonprofit that plans to seek tax-exempt status.
Incorporation gives trustees greater protection from being personally liable. A charity that employs people or promises to provide services (that is, most of them!) will normally choose to be incorporated.
C. 156c, section 2(2), LLCs are defined specifically as “unincorporated organizations formed under c. 156c and having 1 or more members.”xv This in turn means that any non-profit LLCs in Massachusetts will be responsible for all of their real and personal property taxes, which can amount to a significant tax liability.
Director information The following are the Massachusetts requirements for directors of corporations: Minimum number. Corporations must have no fewer than three directors, unless there are two or fewer shareholders. In such case, there may be one or two directors.