Nonprofit Formation: Overview

A Checklist for Emerging Organizations

Before you rush down to the Colorado Secretary of State's office and file your articles of incorporation, you might want to consider the following questions. If you can answer all of these questions with some degree of confidence, you are probably ready to be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

• Do you have a clear and well-defined mission statement?
  
  
• Is there an understandable program that falls within that mission?
  
  
• Do you have a constituency that embraces the mission and program?
  
  
• Are there other people besides you who believe strongly in the organization that you propose to form? Is this constituency broad-based, reflecting the community?
  
  
• Have you identified a group of individuals who will serve as a founding board of directors?
  
  
• Is this group diverse, reflecting the community in which you work?
  
  
• Do you know what your legal obligations will be as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization?
  
  
• What must you file with your local government, the state, and the federal government?
  
  
• What restrictions will you face?
  
  
• Do you know of other organizations that provide similar services in your community?
  
  
• Who is your competition? What makes your services unique?
  
  
• Do you know where your first round of funding will come from?

The Community Resource Center (CRC) is here to help you sort out these issues, assess your level of readiness, and file your articles of incorporation and 501(c)(3) application. Please visit our store to see upcoming 501(c)(3) workshops. Call us at (303) 623-1540 for an appointment.

655 Broadway, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80203-3426
303.623.1540    800.516.6284   f: 303.623.1567   Contact Us

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