Common Questions About Forming a Nonprofit Organization

• 01

  Can I Form a Nonprofit For Free?

  Yes! With our $0 nonprofit formation package, you only pay the fees required by your state. Bizee’s filing services are free.

• 02

  How Much Does Your Service Cost?

  Since 2004 we’ve been perfecting our service. Our tech-enabled process efficiencies mean we’re able to keep the costs down and pass this incredible value on to you. The result is low-cost, personalized business formation with fast and friendly service.
  
  The Silver Package is $0 + state fee and includes the basics needed to form your Nonprofit Organization.
  
  The Gold Package is $149 + state fee. It’s our most popular option with a comprehensive feature set to get your business started. Your EIN Business Tax number is included (whereas most incorporation services charge an extra fee on top of their equivalent package price for this). Also included in the Gold package are IRS Form 2553, Corporation Bylaws, Operating Agreement, Banking Resolution, Lifetime Company Alerts, Online Access Dashboard, Unlimited Phone & Email Support, Business Banking Account, and Business Tax Consultation.
  
  The Platinum Package is $299 + state fee. It’s our best value package offering a full suite of features. It includes all of the Gold benefits plus Business Contract Templates, Expedited Filing, and Domain Name + Business Email.
  
  When you form your Nonprofit with us, our Registered Agent service is free for the first year and is only $119 per year after that.
  
  For more information on our services and prices, visit our how it works page.

• 03

  Which Type of Nonprofit Organization is Right for Me?

  There are four main types of Nonprofit in the United States. Each has subtly different goals and corporate structure, but all are tax-exempt!
  
  Public Charities/501(c)(3) Organizations
  Charities, also known as 501(c)(3) organizations, usually provide low-cost or free services to the public utilizing funds received through donations. This can be via private donations or fundraising events specifically designed to secure funding from members or advocates. Examples of public charities include food banks and animal welfare organizations.
  
  Social Advocacy Organizations
  This type of Nonprofit is member-based and aims to achieve specific goals regarding political change without achieving a profit. Social advocacy organizations, classified by the IRS as 501(c)(4), use donations and member dues to send out information that promotes a particular social agenda. The NAACP and the ACLU are social advocacy organizations you might be familiar with.
  
  Foundations
  Like charities, foundations are also classified as 501(c)(3) organizations. They work to better the community, whether contributing financially to local, smaller charities/nonprofits or holding events that benefit communities. Foundations are funded by and contribute on behalf of an associated for-profit corporation. Foundations must donate a certain amount of income to other organizations every year. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is one of the most well-known.
  
  Trade and Professional Organizations
  These types of organizations are classified as 501(c)(6). They usually work to benefit and promote members’ business interests and are funded primarily through membership dues. Common trade and professional organizations include chambers of commerce and real estate boards.

• 04

  Are There Specific Rules For My State?

  Each state has specific rules for registration, registered agents, annual reporting, and other requirements. Bizee will help you determine what you need to be compliant in your specific state as part of the Nonprofit formation process.

• 05

  What’s My State’s Filing Fee for Nonprofit Organizations?

  The costs of filing for Nonprofits can vary from state to state. Use our free filing fees chart to easily compare state fees before you start your business.

• 06

  Are There any Hidden Costs?

  No! We pride ourselves on transparency and there are no hidden costs associated with forming your business.
  
  With our $0 Nonprofit package, you just pay the fee required by your state. This is the state fee for forming a Nonprofit that you’d need to pay even if you were doing the entire process on your own. Some states charge online processing fees to file your paperwork, but those fees are coming from the state, not from Bizee. Bizee’s services are entirely free if you choose the $0 Nonprofit package.
  
  Our mission is to provide you with a superior and modern experience at an unparalleled value. Think of us as your business guide. We make registering a company as easy and low cost as possible, so you can focus on the important things.

• 07

  How Long Does it Take to Form a Nonprofit Online?

  Bizee’s standard processing time to pass your data onto the relevant state is one day.
  
  State filing times vary from three to twelve weeks. You can pay an expedited fee for Bizee to process your paperwork faster (included in Platinum package). Sometimes your state may also offer expedited processing through their systems too - if so, we’ll let you know it’s an option. Easily compare state filing times here.

• 08

  Do You Have Any Guides or Resources for Getting Started?

  Yes, we have lots of helpful content! Download our complete How To Start a Nonprofit Guide and learn more about Nonprofits here. Check out our blog for in depth information on every aspect of planning, starting, and growing your Nonprofit.

• 09

  Do You Provide Hands-On-Support?

  Absolutely! We believe in educating our customers and providing a variety of guidance throughout the formation process and beyond.
  
  If you need additional support, you can contact us via Help Chat in your personalized dashboard and we do offer customer service to assist with any transactional questions.
  
  If you’d prefer to speak to an incorporation specialist over the phone, get in touch on 844-830-8267 Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST.