Form your nonprofit & change the world

A 501(c)(3) is a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation recognized by the IRS for charitable, religious, educational, scientific, or literary purposes. Donations to a 501(c)(3) are tax-deductible for donors, and the organization pays no federal income tax on mission-related revenue.

Organizations with projected gross receipts under $50,000 per year typically qualify for Form 1023-EZ, which the IRS processes in roughly 2–4 weeks. The full Form 1023 — required for larger organizations or those with complex activities — takes approximately 3–6 months. We help you determine which form applies and submit it correctly.

Form 1023-EZ is a streamlined three-page application for smaller organizations. To qualify, your organization must project annual gross receipts of $50,000 or less for the next three years and have total assets under $250,000. The IRS filing fee is $275 and determination letters typically arrive in 2–4 weeks. The full Form 1023 is required for larger or more complex organizations — it runs to 12 parts with detailed narrative descriptions of activities, budgets, and governance — and costs $600 with a 3–6 month processing window. We assess which form applies to your organization before filing.

State incorporation fees range from $30–$300 depending on the state. The IRS charges $275 for Form 1023-EZ and $600 for the full Form 1023. These government fees are in addition to Kicker's service fee and are paid directly to the state and IRS.

Yes. Most states require at least three unrelated board members for a nonprofit corporation. The IRS also scrutinizes governance — having independent directors prevents private-benefit concerns. We provide bylaws that define director roles, quorum rules, and officer responsibilities.

Yes. Nonprofit employees — including founders — may receive reasonable compensation for their services. The IRS requires that salaries be comparable to what similarly qualified people are paid for similar work in similar organizations. What is not permitted is private inurement: distributing profits to insiders as owners.

501(c)(3) organizations are charitable, and donations are tax-deductible for donors. 501(c)(4) organizations are social welfare organizations that can engage more broadly in political and lobbying activities — but donor contributions are generally not tax-deductible. If you want to accept tax-deductible donations and apply for most grants, 501(c)(3) is the right choice.

Nonprofits must file Form 990 (or 990-EZ for smaller organizations, or 990-N for those under $50K gross receipts) with the IRS each year. You must also maintain board meeting minutes, annual state registrations, and — in most states where you fundraise — a charitable solicitation registration. Our Premium plan includes a compliance calendar covering all these deadlines.

Yes. Non-US founders can incorporate a nonprofit in any US state and apply for 501(c)(3) status. We handle all US-side requirements — Articles of Incorporation, EIN, and Form 1023 preparation — so you can operate from anywhere in the world.