Got An LLC But Need A 501c3

Some people already have a for-profit (or an LLC) organization set up and want to know if they can convert it to a 501c3 non-profit organization. Unfortunately, an LLC cannot be a 501c3; However, you can still setup the 501c3 organization.

An LLC Cannot be a 501c3

The LLC organization can’t be a 501c3 nonprofit organization for two main reasons. The first main reason is that a for-profit organization has an owner or multiple owners. Nonprofit organizations do not have any owners because they are established for the public. So the original paperwork filed for the organization is not compliant with the IRS requirements for 501c3 nonprofit organizations.

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501c3 Board Members and Officers

The Board “Members” or “Directors/Trustees” are elected and their main goal is to manage the nonprofit organization’s activities. These specific positions should be filled first by the Board of Directors: President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Other optional positions, once those three are filled, could be Vice President and Director. They usually serve for 1-3 years, and then the Directors are reelected.

The powers, rights and responsibilities of the Board of Directors are specified in the Bylaws of the 501c3 charitable organization. The Bylaws consist of general information about how the Board of Directors is elected; scheduling Board meetings; decision-making methods; Board of Directors’ duties and other specific rules, applicable to the charitable organization’s activities.

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Changing the Name of a 501c3 Organization

Organizations sometime want to use a different name. There are a couple of ways a nonprofit organization can use a different name.

With the first method, your organization actually changes its name. First your organization will need to file a Name Change Amendment with the Secretary of State. This will change the name on the State level and your corporate documents from them will have the updated name in the future. Once the organization’s name is changed with the state, you will also need to change your nonprofit’s name with the IRS. This will update your nonprofit’s name at the Federal level. After these steps are completed and approved by these government agencies, your 501c3 organization’s name will have been changed to the new name!

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Nonprofits and Technology

In this internet driven world, all organizations have to stay updated on their technology usage in order to be relevant. This especially includes nonprofit organizations. The main types that are most helpful are website builders, apps, Google tools, and Microsoft centers.

Website Builders

Websites are the key to showing your audience your mission statement, purpose, programs, and other essentials to your specific organization. There are a few free and low-cost website builders that are highly recommended. Wix is the most commonly known low-cost website builder. All reviews say that it’s easy to use and has many useful features. The basic plan is free, but you could also go for one of the low-cost, ad-free options if you prefer that. Another good website builder is Weebly. This company also provides a multitude of pre-made templates and features to help with creating your website. Their basic plan is free as well, but they also provide other paid plans that start at $8 per month. One website builder that has been getting a lot attention for the past year is Squarespace. This company is mainly known for their minimalist templates and intuitive editor interface. When you first sign up they give you a 14-day free trail, and after that their basic plan starts at $12 per month.

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Crowdfunding Sites For 501c3 Nonprofits

Crowdfunding is a method of raising money through the collective effort of friends, family, customers, and individual investors. The main objective is to get a large number of people to donate a small amount each for your organization. Crowdfunding sites provide an easy place to showcase and provide financial transactions for people to donate. The top three of these sites are GoFundMe, YouCaring, and FirstGiving.  If you're looking to crowdfund for your nonprofit and you're confronting questions for the first time, you should start by checking out the information provided by the National Council of Nonprofits.

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501c3 Public Charity or Private Foundation

Every section 501c3 organization is classified as either a private foundation or a public charity. Private foundations and public charities are distinguished primarily by the level of public involvement in their activities. Though greatly outnumbered by public charities, private foundations bring a lot to the table. Many people have a layman’s understanding of the difference between public charities and private foundations, but there are some significant differences that can determine what type of nonprofit organization you want to setup.

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Nonprofit Hunger Relief Organizations

As the holidays are approaching, remember that there are some individuals who are unable to have a nice hot meal or afford food. Thankfully, there are many charitable organizations set up exclusively to help these individuals. Usually there are two main types of 501c3 charitable hunger relief organizations: food pantries and meal centers.

Food pantries (or food banks) usually involve receiving donations of nonperishable canned food items and redistributing these items back out. These charitable organizations are focusing more on giving the grocery items to individuals who are unable to afford these items, but have a means of cooking them. Sometimes these nonprofit food pantries will also buy or take donations of groceries for specific families in need in the community.

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