A Quick Update

Summer is here!!! Yay!!!

I know it has been awhile since Project Create has put up a post, but fret not, we are still moving forward.  As the summer progresses, I am finishing up work here in Chicago and getting ready to make the move to New Orleans in less than 3 weeks!!!

Here is a quick update on where Project Create is:

Now that we are incorporated in Louisiana and have our Employee Identification Number, I am currently (as in writing this post is a break during) filling out my application for our 501(c)3 tax exempt status.  This puppy is HUGE, and it really takes a lot of planning and preparation. I did not start working on it today, and I will not finish everything for at least another week or so. I do not suggest finishing it in one sitting.

If I can complete the application accurately the first time around, I should receive a response in about 60 days. This is a much better option than hastily submitting and having my application either rejected completely or assigned to an Exempt Organization Specialist. An EO Specialist is generally a helpful case worker who will further scrutinize my application and help me complete it more accurately. However, the timeline for approval increases dramatically if an EO Specialist is assigned, so I would like to avoid that altogether.

If all goes well, I should have a determination letter sometime this fall. This means there is a very real possibility of opening the Project Create facility in October or November of this year!!!

Once I complete my application, I will post about the process with some tips and hints. Until then, you can find out more here.

This is a slow but very important step, so bear with us! Until then, enjoy the summer and stay CREATIVE!!!

Project Create Obtains An Employer Identification Number!

Today I filed for an EIN – Employer Identification Number. The first thing I want to point out is that I will (hopefully) NEVER refer to this as my EIN Number. Just like a PIN, you don’t need to say “number” at the end. Unless you do actually have a Personal Identification Number Number.

But I digress. The purpose of this post is to keep you updated on one of the many legal steps a new nonprofit needs to take. Now that Project Create’s Articles of Incorporation are filed in Louisiana, I had to apply for my EIN with the IRS. There are a couple of reasons for this:

1. The IRS requires all businesses that a) have employees, b) are corporations, and/or c) are nonprofit organizations to file tax returns. The EIN is the business equivalent to a Social Security Number.
2. An IRS EIN is required for applying for IRS 501(c)(3) status (duh!).

Project Create is a corporation, a nonprofit, and will at the very least employ me. Therefore, an EIN is necessary.

Fortunately, applying for the EIN is most likely the easiest step in this whole shebang. This can be done online here, which means you don’t have to manually file a Form SS-4 which is awesome.

Here is some of the information you will need handy:

1. Type of Business – Project Create is a corporation. There is also a sub-question asking which type of corporation.
2. Why you are applying for an EIN – I am starting a new business.
3. Who is the Responsible Party – I am an individual person starting this business. If there was already a company in place with a valid EIN that was starting Project Create, then that information would be entered.
4. Individual Personal Information – My name and SSN.
5. Business Information – Project Create’s name, address, and purpose (i.e. Art Education Organization)

That’s it! So easy, and believe it or not, its FREE!!! Stay tuned for more updates as Project Create gets closer to actually being in business and raising money!

It’s Alive!!!!!!

As of today, April 3rd, 2012, Project Create is an active corporation in the state of Louisiana. Project Create officially exists!!!

In a previous post, I discussed some of the legal steps to forming a nonprofit. The first of those steps is filing the Articles of Incorporation with the state. Since Project Create is in Louisiana, that is where I filed. The process is very straightforward, and I was able to complete it quickly online for $65 ($60 filing fee, $5 service fee).

I have included the questions used for online filing. The form can be found at the following link, and by clicking the Domestic Business Reg. Articles of Incorporation ($60 filing fee) radio button: http://www.sos.la.gov/tabid/1009/Default.aspx.

The name of this corporation is:

This corporation is formed for the purpose of: engaging in any lawful activity for which corporations may be formed under Chapter 2, Title 12, of the LA Revised Statutes (Non-Profit Corporation Law)

The duration of this corporation is (may be perpetual):

This corporation is a nonprofit corporation.

The location and municipal address (not a P.O.Box only) of this corporation’s registered office is:

The full name and municipal address (not a post office box only) of this corporation’s registered agent(s) is/are:

The full name and address of each incorporator of this corporation is:

The corporation’s initial board of directors, municipal addresses (not a P.O. Box only) and term of office are:

This corporation is to be organized on a non-stock basis.

Other Provisions:

As you can see, the information is fairly basic as long as you know some definitions. Here is an explanation of some of the necessary information taken from The Citizen Media Law Project (Note: this is not state specific information, so you should always check the applicability of these definitions in your state):

• Name of the Nonprofit Organization:

As discussed in Forming a Nonprofit Corporation, you must include the name of the nonprofit corporation, which typically must include “Corporation” or “Incorporated” or an abbreviation of one of these words, such as “Inc.” or “Corp.” Most states will not allow two companies to have the same name, nor will they allow your corporation to adopt a name that is deceptively similar to another company’s name. For state-level information on naming requirements, see State Law: Forming a Nonprofit Corporation.

• Name and Address of Registered Agent:

Most states require the name and address (not a P.O. Box) of the nonprofit corporation’s registered agent in the state of incorporation. The purpose of the registered agent is to provide a legal address for service of process in the event of a lawsuit. The registered agent is also where the state government sends official documents such as tax notices and annual reports. If your nonprofit corporation incorporates in the same state where you do business, an officer of the nonprofit corporation can usually serve as the registered agent. If your nonprofit corporation incorporates in a state other than where it does business, then you will have to hire a registered agent in the state of incorporation. You can find registered agent service companies online. Shop around and compare rates because there are many registered agent companies available.

• Legal Address of the Nonprofit Corporation:

Some states require that you include the address of the nonprofit corporation’s principal office (whether or not that address is inside or outside the state of incorporation). This is distinct from the address of the registered agent discussed above, although in some circumstances this address could be the same (e.g., when a corporate officer is serving as the registered agent).

• Duration of the Nonprofit Corporation:

Some states ask how long your nonprofit corporation will be in existence. You should answer “perpetual” unless you know that the nonprofit has a definitive termination date.

• Name of Incorporator(s):

An incorporator is the person preparing and filing the formation documents with the state. Most states require the name and signature of the incorporator or incorporators to be included in the articles of incorporation. Some states also require that you include the incorporator’s address.

• Name and Address of Director(s):

Some states require that you list the names and addresses of the initial directors of the nonprofit corporation in the articles. In other states, you are not required to identify them (although you may do so if you want). See State Law: Forming a Nonprofit Corporation for details on the number of directors required by the fifteen largest U.S. states and the District of Columbia. When the initial directors are not named in the articles, the incorporator or incorporators have the authority to manage the affairs of the corporation until directors are elected. In this capacity, they may do whatever is necessary to complete the organization of the nonprofit corporation, including calling an organizational meeting for adopting bylaws and electing directors.

There are a few other things I want to point out. First, this is organized on a nonstock basis because it is a nonprofit organization. If you remember from my previous post, nonprofits do not operate for a profit for shareholders, rather the profit flows back into the company. Therefore, there are no stock investors.

Second, you may be wondering what the “other provisions” section is for. Here is where you can (but do not have to) put information about what your nonprofit is meant to, and allowed to, accomplish, i.e. something saying that this is a nonprofit dedicated to art education, and that per state law, no lobbying activities will take place. This type of information should be pretty clear from any business plans and bylaws you have drawn up (I will post about that as well!).

Last, it is very important to note that right now Project Create exists as a nonprofit corporation, but it is NOT  federally recognized 501(c)(3) organization. This means that I still cannot solicit donations and make them tax deductible. I still need to apply for that status with the IRS, or achieve it through a fiscal sponsorship.

In a few days, I should be receiving a Certificate of Incorporation which, together with my Articles of Incorporation, are the legal “body” of Project Create. However, just like a baby is alive before it gets its birth certificate, Project Create officially exists as of today!

Next Steps: Within 30 days after filing the Articles of Incorporation, I have to file a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and either a certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation or an original signed copy to the recorder of mortgages in the Orleans parish (where New Orleans is seated. I will also apply for an Employer Identification Number.

So how excited are you for Project Create’s birth!?!?! As usual, if you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment.

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The “Hold Your Horses” Disclaimer: Nothing in this blog is intended to be legal advice. If you are thinking about starting your own business, these are very important steps that should not be taken lightly. The internet is an amazing place and there are plenty of resources available on filing these documents. Please do enough research to ensure you are comfortable with the relevant legal jargon, or seek the help of an attorney.

Some Legal Steps to Forming a Nonprofit

As I said in the beginning, this blog is meant to show you every step Project Create takes. Unfortunately, this also includes the boring, nitty gritty ones (read: anything that might require a lawyer).

Project Create’s transition from a thought bubble into a fully functioning business is a fairly complicated process. It involves quite a bit more than daydreaming about teaching Dolly Parton to paint, which I do. Daily. Alas, to ever meet Dolly, I need to take action and bring Project Create into legal existence.

 Here are the general steps Project Create will be taking to become a legal entity:

1. File Articles of Incorporation: This step is equivalent to the birth of a company. The document is filed with the Secretary of State in the state where the nonprofit will operate. In Louisiana this costs $60 for a nonprofit and usually has a 3-5 day turn around. Most states allow you to file these online and can be done in 10 minutes. When the state issues a certificate of incorporation, the two documents together give the corporation its legal existence. Information you will need: Company name, purpose, address, incorporators, and board of directors (which I will discuss in a separate post).
2. File for IRS Employer Identification Number: This is the employer equivalent of a social security number. This can be done online and is free.
3. File with IRS for 501(c)(3) status: This designation is the lifeline for a nonprofit because it gives an organization a few benefits. First, 501(c)(3) nonprofits are exempt from federal income tax. A second major benefit is that donations made to a 501(c)(3) recognized charitable organization are tax deductible for donors.  Third, many federal, state, and local grant foundations will only award their grants to organizations with 501(c)(3) status. This filing can be done online and is bit more expensive ($850). It can take up to a year for a response.
4. File for state tax exemptions: Louisiana has both state income tax and sales tax exemptions for federal 501(c)(3) recognized organizations. These filings can be done online and are free.

I will keep you updated as I complete these filings and Project Create becomes a living, breathing business. Also, look out for the next post on non legal steps (i.e. recruiting a board of directors, drafting a business plan, etc.).

The “Hold Your Horses” Disclaimer: Nothing in this blog is intended to be legal advice. If you are thinking about starting your own business, these are very important steps that should not be taken lightly. The internet is an amazing place and there are plenty of resources available on filing these documents. Please do enough research to ensure you are comfortable with the relevant legal jargon, or seek the help of an attorney.