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Ember Spark · Free founding checklist
Start your nonprofit, one step at a time
Ember Spark is a step-by-step checklist for starting a nonprofit.
New? Work down the list in order. Already started? Check off what’s done and see what’s left.
Every step explains why it matters, in plain words.
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Your state will not let two nonprofits share a name. Check the Secretary of State's business search before you settle on one. A clear, plain name also helps donors and grant reviewers find and trust you. Keep it simple and easy to say.
Read: How to start a nonprofitIncorporating is what makes your group a legal entity, so the group's normal debts are its own, not your board's. You file Articles of Incorporation with your Secretary of State, name a registered agent, and pay a small state fee. The IRS also wants specific purpose and dissolution wording here, so go slow on that part.
An EIN is your nonprofit's federal tax ID. You need it before you apply for tax-exempt status or open a bank account. It is free and usually issued right away on the IRS website. Never pay a third-party site for one, you do not have to.
Read: How to get an EIN for a nonprofitBylaws set how your board makes decisions, and a conflict-of-interest policy shows the IRS you will handle money fairly. The IRS asks about both on its full application, Form 1023 (the shorter 1023-EZ does not), and a surprising number of new nonprofits skip the conflict-of-interest policy. You can adopt both at your first board meeting.
Read: Nonprofit bylaws and conflict-of-interest policyA nonprofit is run by a board, not an owner, and most states require at least three directors. The IRS also prefers a board where most members are not related or paid, because that shows real independent oversight. Choose people who believe in the mission and will show up.
Read: How to start a nonprofitThis is the application that makes your nonprofit tax-exempt and lets donors deduct their gifts. You can file the shorter Form 1023-EZ if you expect gross receipts of $50,000 or less in each of your next three years and your assets are $250,000 or less. Otherwise you file the full Form 1023. Check the IRS eligibility worksheet before you pick one.
Read: Form 1023 vs 1023-EZThirty-seven states require charitable solicitation registration before you ask the public for donations, though most of them exempt small groups or let them register free. It is one of the most commonly missed steps. Registering keeps your fundraising clean and your reputation safe. The rules and renewal dates differ by state, so check where you operate.
General liability covers everyday accidents, and directors and officers (D&O) insurance protects your board members personally if the organization is sued. Many new boards have no D&O cover and do not realize they are exposed. It is often affordable, and good board members will ask about it.
Read: A plain guide to nonprofit insuranceA dedicated bank account keeps your nonprofit's money separate from personal funds. That protects your tax-exempt status and makes bookkeeping far easier. Most banks will want your EIN, your Articles of Incorporation, and a board resolution naming who can sign. Bring those and it is a quick visit.
Track income and spending from day one, even if it is a simple spreadsheet at first. Funders and the IRS will ask what money came in and where it went. Clean records make that easy instead of stressful. Good habits now save you a painful catch-up later.
Read: What is nonprofit software?Your fiscal year sets when your annual filings are due, so pick it on purpose rather than by accident. Then name your first program, the real work your nonprofit exists to do. That first program is where running your nonprofit begins, and where Ember picks up once you are set up.
That is a real nonprofit, set up right.
What happens after the checklist
One place, from start to finish.
Starting the nonprofit is step one. In an Ember account, what you set up in Spark carries into the rest of Ember, so you enter it once.
Spark Get set up right, with your bylaws, board and filings in order.
Do the work Run your programs, grants and volunteers without the chaos.
Show your impact Turn your work into board and funder reports in one click.
Learn & grow See what is working, and do more of it.
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Common questions
How do I start a nonprofit?
You pick a name, incorporate in your state, get an EIN, adopt nonprofit bylaws, recruit a board, and apply for 501(c)(3) status. This nonprofit startup checklist walks you through each step in order. In an Ember account, Spark gives you free starting templates for your bylaws, a banking resolution and the Form 1023 activities narrative, ready for you to fill in.
What are the steps to get 501(c)(3) status?
First register a nonprofit corporation in your state and get an EIN from the IRS. Then adopt bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy, name your board, and file Form 1023 or the shorter 1023-EZ. Once the IRS approves it, gifts to you are tax-deductible. Some groups, such as churches, do not have to apply, but many still do.
How much does it cost to start a nonprofit?
Most of the cost is state and IRS filing fees. State incorporation is often a small fee, and the IRS charges to file Form 1023 or 1023-EZ. Your EIN is free, and Ember Spark is free too, so you can skip paid setup services.
Is this checklist really free?
Yes. Ember Spark is free, and you can tick off every step, read the guidance and follow the links without signing up. Your ticks stay in this browser only. To save your progress somewhere your board can see it, make an Ember account. Making one takes your email address and a few details about your organization. It's free while your budget is under $50K a year, and Spark comes with it. Ticks on this page don't carry over, so you'll mark your steps again in the account.
I started my nonprofit last year. Is this still useful?
Very. Mark what you have done, and the list shows what is left. It also flags the steps new nonprofits most often miss, like state fundraising registration and D&O insurance. That way you can catch a gap early.
Do I need a lawyer to start a nonprofit?
Usually no. Many founders complete every step themselves. State rules vary, and the IRS wants exact wording in your Articles of Incorporation. So a short review by a lawyer or accountant can be worth it. This is general information, not legal advice.
What does Ember Spark write down as I go?
On this page, your ticks stay in your browser. In an Ember account, the facts you enter in Spark, like your state, EIN, and fiscal year, start Ember's compliance calendar for you. You never re-enter them.
The steps people ask about most
General information for people starting or running a US nonprofit, not legal or tax advice. Rules vary by state and change over time; confirm the details with the IRS, your state, or a qualified professional. Ember guides; it is not a lawyer.
Sources: irs.gov · irs.gov · each state’s charity office, in our 50-state fee table · councilofnonprofits.org. Verified September 2026; the state count on 25 September 2026.