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The Sure System

SureSTART™

Nonprofit Formation Services for New 501(c)(3) Startups

Start a Nonprofit

Starting a nonprofit is complicated. Our seasoned professionals help turn your idea into a properly structured organization, guiding you through forming your nonprofit so you can move forward with confidence.

Contact Us

Find Out How We
Can Help You Start
Your Nonprofit

Free Consultation from Nonprofit Specialists

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  • Please select the state in which your nonprofit will be located.
  • Please select the category that best describes your organization.
  • Use this space to provide us with a little more information about your organization's purpose and/or programs(s).
  • How much total revenue do you expect your nonprofit to generate each year?

Why Foundation Group? Our Founder, Greg McRay, explains...

Client Review

“Setting up a 501(c)(3) is a daunting undertaking that requires a LOT of patience and drive. Foundation Group came HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and they DID NOT DISAPPOINT! From the very first contact, their staff were AMAZING. The knowledge, willingness to teach, guide, encourage, and push at times, was REFRESHING. They LISTENED to our mission, and made sure that EVERYTHING WE DID WAS IN COMPLIANCE with the legal requirements, while staying true to our vision. WELL WORTH THE INVESTMENT!”

RICHARD E.

One In A Million Organization
Start Your Nonprofit, the SureStart™ Way

Every SureStart startup engagement provides essential solutions for your startup nonprofit, including:

Personal Exemption Specialist

Expertise matters!  That’s why every SureStart client is paired with one of our in-house Nonprofit Exemption Specialists, who is an expert in the particular type of organization you are starting. They will dive deep into your plans, and help you apply with the state government to form your nonprofit according to compliant, best practice.

Oversight by Tax Pros

Credentials matter, too!  Foundation Group is the only nonprofit-focused specialty firm in America providing true tax advice and counsel for nonprofits.  Our team includes Licensed Enrolled Agents and CPAs, ensuring federal and state tax compliance for all SureStart clients.

Name Availability

Your nonprofit’s name is your brand. It’s your public identity. We research name availability in your state, prior to incorporation, so that you can secure the name you most want or the closest variant possible.

Getting You Federally Registered

Included in your consultation, we take care of registering your organization at the federal level on your behalf. To ensure a frictionless formation experience, we handle all of the details needed to move your organization through the registration process.

Articles of Incorporation

Sometimes called a Charter, this is the document that legally establishes your nonprofit corporation in your chosen home state.  Your date of incorporation is usually considered the official, legal birthday of your nonprofit.  We prepare your Articles of Incorporation for you to file with your state’s Corporations Office.

Bylaws

Your bylaws are one of your most important legal documents.  They dictate how your nonprofit will be governed by its board of directors. We prepare state- and IRS-compliant, draft bylaws that are best suited to your unique needs. Or, if you already have bylaws, we will review for compliance and advise changes at your direction.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Nonprofit organizations are required to have a policy that dictates how its leadership will manage conflict-of-interest. We provide a compliant Conflict of Interest Policy that is plug-and-play ready, and will help your leadership avoid unnecessary problems.

501(c)(3) Status

This is where it all comes together! As a private service provider, we prepare your 501(c)(3) tax-exemption application and represent it while it is under review by the IRS. We’ve helped 70,000 nonprofits through this process with 100% success, since 1995. Your success is money-back guaranteed!

State Tax Exemption*

Some states’ Division of Taxation requires nonprofits to obtain a state equivalent to IRS 501(c)(3) status in order to be corporate tax exempt. California and Texas are especially complex in this regard.  We work with you to apply for and receive state exemption where necessary.

State Fundraising Registration*

The vast majority of states require nonprofits to register with their Division of Charities prior to seeking donor support or initiating other revenue generating activities.  Our Compliance Team works with you to get you registered in your home state, unlocking your ability to raise the funds you need.

IRS Form 990 Preparation (1st Year)*

Equivalent to a corporate tax return for nonprofits, IRS Form 990 must be filed annually by all 501(c)(3) organizations. Failure to file can result in having your nonprofit’s 501(c)(3) status revoked.  All SureStart clients can rest assured, knowing their first year’s Form 990 preparation is included in their startup package.

Ongoing Consultation*

SureStart clients are provided one year of ongoing access to our consulting staff by appointment or online client portal.  Get the answers you need to make better decisions, reduce risk, and grow your organization.

OUR GUARANTEE: YOUR 501(C)(3) APPLICATION WILL
BE IRS COMPLIANT, OR YOUR MONEY BACK!

FREE CONSULTATION

*SureStart Complete™ Plan. See comparison chart below.

Every SureSTART Complete package includes a complimentary, one-year membership in our SurePLAN™ and 501(c)(3) University™ programs...a $600 value!
*SureSTART Core purchasers receive a 6 month trial membership to SurePLAN.
Expertise That Goes Beyond Basic Nonprofit Formation

Foundation Group’s team includes Enrolled Agents, federally authorized tax practitioners with advanced credentials and broad authority to represent taxpayers in matters before the IRS.

Earning Enrolled Agent status requires either passing a comprehensive three-part examination covering federal tax matters or qualifying through prior IRS experience. Enrolled Agents must also meet ongoing ethical standards and complete 72 hours of continuing education every three years.

Like attorneys and CPAs, Enrolled Agents have unlimited practice rights before the IRS, meaning they can represent taxpayers across a wide range of tax matters and IRS offices. That depth of expertise gives our clients access to professionals who understand the federal requirements surrounding nonprofit tax exemption and how those requirements affect the work we prepare together.

Enrolled Agents are independent tax professionals and are not employees or representatives of the IRS. Foundation Group is a privately owned, independent nonprofit services firm and is not affiliated with any government agency.

To verify the credential of any enrolled agent (including our own!) you can follow this link.

Interested in learning more about Enrolled Agents? Click the link below.

Learn more about Enrolled Agents in Treasury Department Circular 230.

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
Your 501(c)(3) application will be compliant—or you’ll get your money back.

We’ve helped more than 50,000 nonprofits earn IRS tax-exempt status, with a 100% approval rate. That kind of track record doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of 30 years of expert preparation, precision processes, and unwavering focus on nonprofit compliance.

That’s why we can offer something most companies can’t: a real guarantee.

No fine print. No runaround.

Just confidence backed by experience.

Choose the SureSTART™ Plan That’s Right For You

  • SureSTART Levels

    ...Hover for item details

  • Verification that your desired corporate name is available in your stateName Availability
  • Sometimes called a Charter, this is the document that establishes your nonprofit corporation. We prepare your Articles for you to file with your state.Articles of Incorporation
  • Your bylaws dictate how your nonprofit will be governed. We prepare IRS compliant, initial bylaws that are best suited to your unique needs. Or, if you already have bylaws, we will review for compliance and advise/amend at your direction.Draft Bylaws
  • This is your federal identification number, much like a Social Security number is for an individual. It is a requirement for all business entities, other than Sole ProprietorshipsFederal EIN
  • Over 50,000 IRS approvals with 100% success, since 1995IRS 501(c)(3) Application Preparation and Filing
  • The IRS requires 501(c)(3) organizations to have a policy that dictates how its leadership will manage conflict-of-interest.Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Every SureStart client is assigned to one our nonprofit experts, who will dive deep into your plans, and work with you to establish your nonprofit according to compliant, best practice.Personal Exemption Specialist
  • Foundation Group is the only non-CPA specialty service provider for nonprofit formation services that legally offers tax advice. Our team is led by an IRS-credentialed Enrolled Agent, who works to ensure federal and state tax compliance for all SureStart clients. We represent your case under IRS power of attorney (if required), assuring your success.Oversight by IRS-Licensed Tax Specialist
  • Once your nonprofit is formed, our Compliance team takes over to keep your organization in total compliance with state and federal requirements.Personal Compliance Specialist
  • CRITICAL! Many states' Division of Taxation requires nonprofits to obtain a state equivalent to IRS 501(c)(3) status in order to be corporate tax exempt. California and Texas are especially complex in this regard.State Tax Exemption
  • One year complimentary membership to our SureCOMPLY compliance services bundle. A $2,000 value! SureCOMPLY
  • CRITICAL! The vast majority of states require 501(c)(3) organizations to register with the Division of Charities prior to seeking donor support or initiating other revenue generating activities...........State Fundraising Registration
  • CRITICAL! Equivalent to a corporate tax return for nonprofits, Form 990 must be filed annually by all 501(c) organizations. Failure to file can result in having your nonprofit's 501(c)(3) status revoked...........IRS Form 990 Preparation (1st Year)
  • One year of access to our consulting staff by appointment or online message center..........Ongoing Consultation
  • Complimentary membership in SurePLAN, our planning, education, and community membership program. A $600 value! SurePLAN

  • Budget - Restrictions Apply

  • Express

    Total Annual Revenue Under $50k

  • 30 days trial membership

  • Do You Qualify?

  • Good

  • Core

    The Essentials

  • Money-back guarantee!
  • 6 month trial membership

  • Let's Talk!

  • Best!

  • Complete

    Total Compliance Solution

  • Money-back guarantee!

  • Let's Talk!

Helping good people start great nonprofits
has been our specialty for over 30 years!

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