Religious 501(c) and other non-profits

Non-Profit and Religious Organizations

Types of 501(c) Non-Profit Corporations

There are many other forms of non-profit that will fall under religious, educational, scientific, military veteran, citizen assistance, etc.; and some of them have different ways to apply for non-profit status. If you have questions about other organizations not listed contact us and we will be happy to speak with you about them.

The Corporation

You should be a federally recognized non-profit organization due to the federal and state benefits, purchasing and sale benefits, as well as the confidence and comfort of your members. Corporations have been around a long time, they are usually the most well known entities, and are expansive in their capabilities. A corporation is much like a LLC in liability limitation but is much older and has more concrete and non-waivable statutory requirements than a LLC. Like the LLC, a corporation is able to limit liability of the corporation and personal liability. A corporation is not as flexible as a LLC but it is much more structured, which is generally a great and needed asset. With “check the box” provisions corporations are able to be taxed as a partnership as long as certain criteria are met. There are many different types of non-profit corporations. If you are a religious organization you most likely will fall under the IRC 501(c)(3) requirements. Obtaining a state and federal non-profit recognition allows your organization to be recognized and obtain benefits and tax-deductible donations not otherwise available to your organization. Being recognized as a non-profit organization allows others to donate money or items and to be comfortable and more likely to do so. Be a recognized non-profit corporation today.

Non-Profit Structure

You should be organized, it allows for less wasted time and resources. The word “structure” is a little peculiar for many non-profit organizations. However, one should be structured and orderly because an organization does transact business and can lose its status as non-profit and even lead to legal or tax penalties. A structure allows for actual organization instead of the whims or emotions of individuals or groups. Structure also allows for those who wish to join or be a member to know what the organization stands for and its convictions. Structure allows confidence in the organization and thankfully: allows the leadership to focus on the task in front of it and follow that path. Structure is a benefit and an added value: saving time, troubles, and resolving most controversies before they occur or get out of hand. This allows for rules based goals and law to dictate how things are accomplished and what form they are accomplished in, instead of ad hoc and guessing. When everyone knows what they are doing, how they are doing it, and why they are doing it, there is confidence that can otherwise not be found in an ad hoc non-profit organization. There is the added benefit of ease of pressure and not having to create documents and items from scratch or consistently order them from a store where most of the information is not used, is not applicable, and possibly not legal in the state. Structure avoids a waste of resources and time, which most non-profits have precious little of. We can help you with policies, procedures, and paperwork that is necessary and helpful. You should organize your structure today!

Religious Organizational Structure

There are different forms of religious organizational structure that allow your members and leadership to have confidence to meet any challenge in the way you desire that otherwise becomes almost impossible or unbearable. Several different forms of structure exist and many religious organizations do not know what they are or how they function…they simply have ideas of what they want and do not want. There are organizations that are led by the pastor or clergy, by a board, by trustees, by a mixed board of congregants and trustees, by elders, a combination of elders with allowance of the pastor as a tie-breaker, and many others. Religious organizations generally have a difficult time figuring out, defining, and adhering to structure that is not dependent on one or very few people, which generally leads to big problems early on or later in the organization’s existence. We can help with the complication and arguments of this process. There are different documents that need to be prepared and several employment related responsibilities you have as a religious non-profit organization. Let us help you complete your leadership structure and organizational strategies today in a way that is grounded in Biblical Truth and works!

End of Corporation

Sometimes non-profit corporations end. Although we want it to carry on for generations; sometimes there are complications, problems arise between staff and members, or people stop attending or giving. There is a proper way to end your corporation and depending on assets and liabilities, it may be complicated. If you do not end your corporation correctly you may face liability or the trustees may face liability. Please give us a call so we can ensure you end your organization correctly and do not face liability to the extent possible. Let us help you correctly end the organization and avoid liability to the extent possible.