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Start a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

SureStart™ Nonprofit Formation Plan

The Expertise You Need to Get Your Nonprofit Off to the Right Start

We created the SureStart system to give you the essential services you need to start your nonprofit…all provided by licensed tax professionals and customized to your unique organization.  We’re serious about your success!

25
Years
20000+
Clients
100%
IRS Approval
About SureStart
Start a Nonprofit, the SureStart Way

What if you could ensure that your nonprofit was set up from day one with a rock-solid foundation? We have developed a unique, consultative approach designed to incorporate your nonprofit, secure 501(c)(3) status and help you achieve long-term success.

It’s not just document preparation…frankly, lots of people can fill out forms. Starting a successful nonprofit requires much more than that.  We deeply engage with you, helping you to structure your nonprofit the right way, so that you accomplish your mission and avoid the pitfalls.

Trust Our Team of Career Nonprofit Experts

Starting a nonprofit is complicated.  Many business plans we hear sound great, but need considerable work to be truly ready-to-launch.  You need seasoned professionals to take your vision and help you mold it into a nonprofit entity that is fully IRS-compliant, properly structured, and ready to maximize impact.

Get a head-start on success:  Our experts dig deep with you to understand your program, identify opportunities, risks, and areas of concern, then put together the necessary documents and applications that accurately represent your vision. Plus, because our firm is led by an IRS-credentialed Enrolled Agent, you can have the comfort of knowing that qualified, licensed tax professionals are on the case.

OUR GUARANTEE:  Your 501(c)(3) application will be IRS approved, or your money back!

Client Feedback
Ren is awesome and helped many complicated questions about the structure of our 501c3. Thanks for all the help!
Travis Speakman
Travis Speakman
23:36 30 Mar 25
The process of working with the Foundation Group in obtaining our 501c3 was a pleasurable one. The people at the Foundation Group are extremely efficient in the step by step process guiding you along the way. I highly recommend working with this amazing team as they journey with you in obtaining your 501c3 status.
Brian Fleming
Brian Fleming
06:31 07 Feb 25
I sincerely appreciate all of the expertise and support that the Foundation Group has given me. They are extremely professional and have help navigate complex State regulations. I highly recommend their services.
David Heacock
David Heacock
04:01 30 Dec 24
My experience with the Foundation Group (FG) has been nothing short of exceptional. My name is Skye, and I’m based in NYC. I began my nonprofit formation journey with FG in June, and since then, life has gotten busier—I’ve started a second job, launched an LLC, and immersed myself in a new tech startup. Initially, I worried that my lack of time and attention might slow down the process or cause me to miss out on the invaluable guidance and insights FG promised to provide.Thankfully, FG proved to be an incredible partner throughout. They worked at *my* pace, allowing me to submit documents and take next steps on a timeline that fit my busy schedule. Whenever I reached out—even after significant delays on my part—they responded promptly, without pressuring me to adhere to any deadlines other than my own. Their flexibility and understanding were a huge relief.After several months of juggling other commitments, I finally had time to refocus on my nonprofit. FG made it feel as though I hadn’t missed a beat. They immediately set up meetings with their IRS specialists, accommodated my requests for strategy calls, and continued to answer all my questions through their comprehensive online portal. I always know exactly what they’re doing on my behalf, why it matters, and how it will benefit my nonprofit.I’m deeply grateful to the Foundation Group for their unwavering support, tailored approach, and best-in-class service. This is not a one-size-fits-all operation—it’s a truly personalized, premium experience. Thank you, Foundation Group, for prioritizing my goals, respecting my timeline, and empowering me to bring my nonprofit vision to life.Highly recommended!Skye Williamson, 11/20/24'
Clifton Williamson
Clifton Williamson
23:21 20 Nov 24
This foundation is perfect in its services and delivers on its promise. I have been using them from the very first day that I wanted to establish our 501c3 organization and they promised success and they delivered. I have been using their accounting services and their filing services and they have been great in everything. Definitely recommend for anyone looking to take care of a 501c3.
Abdullah Hashem
Abdullah Hashem
11:45 13 Nov 24
We're only a year into using accounting with Foundation Group and I feel good about the 990 being filed in a timely manner. I feel like they hold me accountable and help keep our small non-profit compliant. Their rate is competitive and I trust they are doing a good job. Honestly, it's been a huge relief to know they're handling the books so we can focus on doing good work.
Jason Hamzy
Jason Hamzy
03:29 09 Nov 24
Working with the Foundation Group has been a great experience. Our nonprofit worked with them through their Sure Start program and found them to be timely and friendly as they delivered their expert advice and guidance in helping us set up our nonprofit.They have been an amazing resource for any questions related to our nonprofit's operation. I highly recommend them to anyone starting a nonprofit organization.
Chris Akios
Chris Akios
00:19 09 Nov 24
Working with Foundation Group was seamless, they are friendly, professional and extremely reliable. I couldn't recommend them more!
INL Team
INL Team
17:50 03 Oct 24
Sam Collins
Sam Collins
19:10 30 Sep 24
Amazing organization! I could not have applied for non profit without Foundation Group!! Both Angela and Memory are organized and made a difficult application easy to follow. Even after the process I'm still intimidated if I had to do this myself so save your time and get help sooner than later.
Ginney Dillon
Ginney Dillon
20:59 09 Sep 24
Foundation Group is an honest company that has a Non Profit's best interests at heart. They do the important paperwork for you! Five stars!Robin PressnallExecutive DirectorSmall Paws® Rescue
Robin Pressnall
Robin Pressnall
00:50 20 Jun 24
We used Foundation Group to help us form our nonprofit. They made it incredibly easy and were always so helpful. I really appreciated how I could contact them on any subject, non profit related, and they were always able to answer my questions. Even if they didn't know the answer right away, they would find someone who did. I always felt like they truly understood our mission and were on top of the whole process.I would highly recommend them to anyone who is considering them to help them with their start up. Even though we are done with the start up, we are continuing to use their tax and filing services. It gives us a lot of relief, knowing that professionals are handling that for our nonprofit so we can continue to do work for our community.
Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel
Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel
23:03 12 Jun 24
Samantha Harrell
Samantha Harrell
17:54 09 Apr 24
They have been a great help in forming our 501c3! Speedy service and a truly helpful support staff! I highly recommend them for all of your 501c3 formation needs!
Tony Nichols
Tony Nichols
17:22 04 Apr 24
Ben Houghton
Ben Houghton
15:06 03 Apr 24

  Rated 4.8/5 on Google/Facebook

Request a Free Consultation

We would love to hear about your plans for a new nonprofit!  Complete the information below, and we’ll reach out for a conversation. 

Dont’ worry.  There’s never a hard-sell…just caring professionals who want to help you accomplish your dream.

We look forward to hearing from you!

How It Works

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 work with you to establish your nonprofit according to compliant, best practice.

Oversight by IRS-Licensed Tax Specialists

Credentials matter, too!  Foundation Group is the only non-CPA/non-attorney specialty firm in America providing true tax advice and counsel for nonprofits.  Our team is led by an IRS-licensed Enrolled Agent, ensuring federal and state tax compliance for all SureStart clients.

Name Availability

Your nonprofit’s name is your brand.  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.

Federal EIN

We apply for your required Federal Employer Identification Number, or FEIN, which is the numeric identifier assigned to your nonprofit by the IRS.  It is similar to how a Social Security identifies an individual.

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/amend at your direction.

Conflict of Interest Policy

The IRS requires 501(c)(3) organizations to have a policy that dictates how its leadership will manage conflict-of-interest.  We provide an IRS-approved Conflict of Interest Policy that is plug-and-play ready, and will help your leadership avoid unnecessary problems.

IRS 501(c)(3) Status

This is where it all comes together!  We prepare your IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exemption application and represent it while under IRS review.  We’re approaching 20,000 IRS approvals with 100% success, since 1995.  Your success is money-back guaranteed!

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.

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.

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 message center.  Get the answers you need to make better decisions, reduce risk, and grow your organization.

*SureStart Complete only.  See chart below for details.

Choose the Plan That's Right For You

  • SureStart Levels

    ...Hover for item details

  • Name AvailabilityVerification that your desired corporate name is available in your stateName Availability
  • Articles of IncorporationSometimes 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
  • Draft BylawsYour 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
  • Conflict of Interest PolicyThe IRS requires 501(c)(3) organizations to have a policy that dictates how its leadership will manage conflict-of-interest.Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Federal EINThis 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
  • Personal Exemption SpecialistEvery 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
  • IRS 501(c)(3) Status (Guaranteed!)Approaching 20,000 IRS approvals with 100% success, since 1995IRS 501(c)(3) Status (Guaranteed!)
  • Oversight by IRS-Licensed Tax SpecialistFoundation 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
  • Personal Compliance SpecialistOnce your nonprofit is formed, our Compliance team takes over to keep your organization in total compliance with state and federal requirements.Personal Compliance Specialist
  • State Tax ExemptionCRITICAL! 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
  • State Fundraising RegistrationCRITICAL! 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
  • IRS Form 990 Preparation (1st Year)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)
  • Ongoing ConsultationOne year of access to our consulting staff by appointment or online message centerOngoing Consultation

  • Core

  • Name Availability
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Draft Bylaws
  • Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Federal EIN
  • Personal Exemption Specialist
  • IRS 501(c)(3) Status (Guaranteed!)
  • Oversight by IRS-Licensed Tax Specialist
  • Personal Compliance Specialist
  • State Tax Exemption
  • State Fundraising Registration
  • IRS Form 990 Preparation (1st Year)
  • Ongoing Consultation

  • Good

  • Complete

    Total Compliance Solution

  • Name Availability
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Draft Bylaws
  • Conflict of Interest Policy
  • Federal EIN
  • Personal Exemption Specialist
  • IRS 501(c)(3) Status (Guaranteed!)
  • Oversight by IRS-Licensed Tax Specialist
  • Personal Compliance Specialist
  • State Tax Exemption
  • State Fundraising Registration
  • IRS Form 990 Preparation (1st Year)
  • Ongoing Consultation

  • Best!

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