Want to Start a Nonprofit in Alabama?
We can help set up new Nonprofit and Charitable Organizations in Huntsville, Alabama.
Start to finish, from entity formation through recognition of IRS Section 501 c 3 status for a tax-exempt entity.
Let’s get started today.
Ready to Start Something New? Want to do Some Good in the World?
Great, because that’s why we’re here to help you set up a new Alabama nonprofit or a charitable corporation the right way under federal tax and state law. Just reach out to us when you’re ready, and we’ll take it from there.
We emphasize ease and simplicity, prioritizing client needs, and making my services accessible and hassle-free. We will do all of the work for setting up the new nonprofit business organization from right here in Huntsville, Alabama.
We have helped dozens of nonprofits with entity formation, § 501 c 3-compliant Alabama Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation, handle any IP issues, a conflict of interest policy for the board members, drafting initial corporate resolutions and agreements, IRS Form 1023 and Form 1023-EZ applications for tax-exempt status under § 501 c 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Our Alabama attorneys can help when dealing with the IRS, the Alabama Department of Revenue, and the Alabama Secretary of State to solve problems before they arise, and other related matters for federal and state tax-exempt organizations, their board of directors, officers, and executive directors, and staff.
We love this work and enjoy helping our charitable nonprofit organizations and foundations. We don’t outsource work or delegate tasks to others outside our law firm.
Should your Alabama nonprofit organization receive a donation from a decedent estate, our familiarity with the Huntsville probate process can ensure speedy resolution of the asset transferred.
Throughout this process, Sarah will be your lawyer and here to help. For more information, here is a link to our firm’s philosophy on why we do what we do and our approach to running a client-centered law firm.
The process of running your own federal tax-exempt organization in Huntsville, Alabama isn’t always easy, so we cut through the red tape of corporate law so you can focus on what matters most.
We Know What It’s Like to Start a New Business.
After working for nearly a decade as an in-house attorney with a global electronics company, Sarah decided to follow her passion and build her own company, Sarah S. Shepard, LLC. This business is that effort and her passion comes to life.
We know first-hand what it takes to start a business from the ground up. It takes work. It takes effort. It takes grit. We’ve been in your shoes and are here to make sure you are protected from the get-go.
We set up Huntsville, AL nonprofit organizations right and work with you on 501 c 3 status and recognition of exemption under the Tax Code, as well as Alabama state tax exemptions.
Our law firm can provide further legal advice on fundraising activities for your nonprofit corporation. We will make sure you’re ready to hit the ground running with all legal documents in place.
The process may seem a little daunting if you try to do it yourself. There are a lot of steps and many ways that things can wrong. So that’s where we come in.
From preparing legal paperwork to advising decision-makers, we help fellow entrepreneurs build successful charitable businesses and foundations that last.
Here’s a link to a little more on Sarah’s background, if you’re interested in learning more.
We will Go Through the Tax Exemption Application Together.
While the documents needed for setting up Alabama state tax-exempt organizations and nonprofit corporations aren’t difficult, we have streamlined our documented systems to make it as seamless as possible and to take care of all filing fees.
Our law firm deals with the AL Secretary of State, Court probate judge offices, State of Alabama Attorney General Office, and Internal Revenue Service for our Huntsville nonprofit 501 c 3 clients.
We’ll take care of getting the Federal Employer Identification Number and the Certificate of Formation document, preparing the conflict of interest policies, pay applicable IRS and state fees, preparing the registered agent document for the secretary of state, drafting the bylaws and board of directors resolutions, and handling the IRS application for recognition of 501 c 3 nonprofit status.
We’ll have your new Alabama tax-exempt organization covered.
There are eight distinct steps that we will need to tackle together. Here is a list of the documented processes we will go through to set up the new Alabama nonprofit:
Step 1: Reserve the Nonprofit’s Legal Name with the Alabama Secretary of State.
Step 2: Pick the Initial Registered Agent, such as your Alabama Attorney.
Step 4: Draft, Approve, and Sign the Bylaws, along with the Board of Directors’ Initial Documents.
Step 5: Apply for the Federal Employer Identity Number (EIN).
Step 8: Receive the Determination Letter from IRS Approving Tax-Exempt Nonprofit Status Recognition.
Most of these procedures can be accomplished by our office and without you needing to take any action With the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or need to contact the Alabama Secretary of State Office.
Our law firm tries to make this process easy for your nonprofits and their board of directors. We can get most of the information to complete many of these steps through our intake forms and our first conversation together.
While we are by your side to walk you through the process and answer any questions that might come up, we have designed this system to be as hassle-free as possible for nonprofit and charitable organizations.
We want you to relax and know that your work is getting handled.
You’ll get peace of mind from knowing that your nonprofit Alabama organization was set up the right way. Meanwhile, we will free up time for you to focus on what’s most important.
Here’s the Process for How We Can Work Together.
To get this process rolling, please send us a message with your name and contact information. We will review and send you additional information on what to expect. We can set up a free 20-minute strategy call consultation to discuss your new nonprofit Alabama organization and answer any questions. We also have an FAQ section.
After that, we will then send you short intake forms, an engagement agreement, and an invoice for your review, e-signature, and payment.
As soon as the agreements are signed, and invoices are covered, we will begin working on forming the new nonprofit Alabama organization and seeking tax-exempt recognition status. Here’s more information on the path forward and pricing for setting up a new small nonprofit.
Setting up the new nonprofit Alabama organization usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete, start to finish. From there, it will be all set to file IRS Form 1023 or Form 1023-EZ for Section 501 c 3 tax-exempt recognition.
Waiting on IRS to review and process Form 1023 applications can take several weeks to months to complete - this is the federal government, after all.
However, we will be here for you, answer any questions, and be ready if there is everything you need or any way that we can help.
After that, the new nonprofit organization will have its IRS Determination Letter for Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and will be all set to go out and do some good in this world.
Sarah S. Shepard, Attorney at Law
Sarah S. Shepard, LLC
303 Williams Avenue SW, Suite 1311
Huntsville, AL 35801