WA Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation Requirements. Get a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) ... Hold Your Organizational Meeting & Adopt Bylaws. Apply for Federal and/or State Tax Exemptions. Obtain Washington State Licenses. Open a Bank Account for Your WA Nonprofit. Submit the WA Nonprofit Annual Renewal.
Bylaws can add additional qualifications as agreed upon by the current board members. 501(c)(3) public charities must have at least 3 board members.
The Bylaws are the rules of operation for the corporation and are required by state law. Bylaws are not filed with the state. A nonprofit should keep a file of the Bylaws and any associated amendments in the office.
501(c)(3) public charities must have at least 3 board members. Youth under the age of 18 may serve on a board. A board may have either 3 youth directors, or ⅓ of the total number directors on the board may be youth – whichever number is fewer. The default board term length is 1 year, unless bylaws state differently.
How to Start a Nonprofit in Washington Name Your Organization. Recruit Incorporators and Initial Directors. Appoint a Registered Agent. Prepare and File Articles of Incorporation. File Initial Report. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) ... Store Nonprofit Records. Establish Initial Governing Documents and Policies.
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.
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.