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.
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.
You'll want to identify at least three board members to meet IRS requirements. Pennsylvania law requires every nonprofit corporation to have a President, Treasurer, and Secretary (i.e. officers who perform comparable duties) and a single person may hold all three offices.
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.
In Pennsylvania, a corporation need not adopt bylaws at its formation, but bylaws are sometimes adopted by the incorporator or board of directors at formation or a later time.
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.
How to Start a Nonprofit in Pennsylvania Name Your Organization. Recruit Incorporators and Initial Directors. Appoint a Registered Agent. Prepare and File Articles of Incorporation. Publish Incorporation. File Initial Report. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) ... Store Nonprofit Records.
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.
An effective board size should be small enough to make decisions quickly while also allowing for sufficient diversity of opinion and experience. Generally, a board of three to five members is ideal. Too many members can make decision-making difficult, and too few may not provide the necessary insight and expertise.
A Pennsylvania limited liability company (LLC) may be formed for any lawful purpose, including a nonprofit purpose.