Non-Profit Formation Questions & Checklist

Our worksheet helps you identify key issues before talking to a lawyer

When forming a non-profit, you’ll need a lawyer to answer all your legal questions about non-profit formation. Your non-profit lawyer can advise you to make sure you are properly classified as a public charity or a private foundation and can also help you take appropriate action to maintain your tax-exempt status. Your lawyer may ask questions about the intended activities of the organization and the membership of your board.

Prepare for your first meeting or call with a non-profit lawyer using Priori’s non-profit formation resources, including our non-profit formation worksheet. Using our non-profit formation checklist that sets forth key non-profit issues, you’ll be able to think through the most important legal questions about non-profit formation in advance of your meeting with your lawyer. You can even send your completed non-profit formation worksheet directly to your lawyer, so your lawyer can prepare in advance of your meeting and make your interaction as productive and cost-effective as possible. If needed, Priori can also connect you with a non-profit lawyer in our vetted network who can assist you with all your legal questions about non-profit formation.

Email *

Phone Number *

Briefly describe your business *

Briefly describe the intended activities of your organization. *

Have you already applied for tax-exempt status? *

Yes No

Do you intend to be a private foundation or a public charity?

Private Foundation Public Charity Need advice about which structure is appropriate

Will most of the funds during your first 5 years in operation come from one person or family or will you be raising money from the public?

One person/family Raising money Combination

Do you plan to solicit contributions of more than $25,000 or use the services of a professional fundraiser?

Yes No

Will it be a membership-based organization?

Yes No

Will any of your board members also be on staff?

Yes No Not sure

Do you have a board?

Yes No

Do you plan to transfer money outside the U.S.? *

Yes No

Will you be doing business outside the U.S.? *

Yes No Not sure yet

Where will the primary headquarters of your organization be? *

Do you have any existing governance documents in place? *

Yes No

Do you need a lawyer to draft new formation documents, review already drafted documents or both? *

Draft new Review

Please provide any other details you think are relevant or important.

Send me lawyers who might be able to help me with this

Briefly describe your business *

Briefly describe the intended activities of your organization. *

Have you already applied for tax-exempt status? *

Yes No

Have you received tax-exempt status? *

Yes No

Do you intend to be a private foundation or a public charity?

Private Foundation Public Charity Need advice about which structure is appropriate

Will most of the funds during your first 5 years in operation come from one person or family or will you be raising money from the public?

One person/family Raising money Combination

Do you plan to solicit contributions of more than $25,000 or use the services of a professional fundraiser?

Yes No

Will it be a membership-based organization?

Yes No

Will any of your board members also be on staff?

Yes No Not sure

Do you have a board?

Yes No

Will you have a board member who does business with the non-profit for compensation?

Yes No

How many members does your board currently have?

Do you plan to transfer money outside the U.S.? *

Yes No

Will you be doing business outside the U.S.? *

Yes No Not sure yet

Do you have any existing governance documents in place? *

Yes No

What documents do you have in place? *

Do you need a lawyer to draft new formation documents, review already drafted documents or both? *

Draft new Review

What documents do you need reviewed? *

Who drafted the documents you need reviewed? *

If you know, what documents do you need drafted?

Please provide any other details you think are relevant or important.