This article answers frequently asked questions about Zeffy's NPO Starter service, which helps individuals and organizations establish their nonprofits.
What is Zeffy's NPO Starter?
Our new NPO Starter is a free service that provides guidance, resources, and support to help individuals and organizations incorporate their nonprofit in their home state and apply for tax-exempt status with the IRS, such as 501(c)(3) status.
How Much Does It Cost?
- Zeffy's document preparation and filing assistance is completely free
- You are only responsible for mandatory government fees:
- State filing fees (varies by state)
- IRS filing fees:
- Around $350 when eligible for the 501(c)(3) streamlined process
- Around $700 for the regular 501(c)(3) process
- You can optionally leave a voluntary contribution to support Zeffy's work, but it's not required
What's the Process for Starting a Nonprofit with Zeffy?
-
Fill Out Your Application
- Provide information about your organization's mission
- List your future board of directors
- Zeffy will prepare draft paperwork
-
Review Your Paperwork
- Work with Zeffy's team to review application documents
- Ensure everything aligns with your organization's goals
- Make any necessary adjustments before submission
-
Obtain Official Nonprofit Status
- Zeffy handles state communications
- The average processing time is 3 business days with required information
-
Optional: Apply for 501(c)(3) Status
- Additional support available for 501(c)(3) application
- Most customers receive approval within four weeks
Who Can Use NPO Starter?
Anyone who wants to create a nonprofit in the United States is welcome to use Zeffy's NPO Starter. The main requirement is providing information about your:
- Organization's mission
- Future board of directors
What Legal Support is Provided?
Important Note: Zeffy's NPO Starter is a document filing service, not a law firm. While we provide:
- Document preparation assistance
- Filing support
- General guidance
We do not:
- Provide legal advice
- Create an attorney-client relationship
- Offer legal representation
Do I Have to Use Zeffy's Other Services?
No, you are not required to use Zeffy's fundraising platform or other services after establishing your nonprofit. While we hope you'll consider our free fundraising tools, there is no obligation to do so.
Why is Zeffy Free?
Zeffy believes that fees should never prevent someone from making a positive difference in the world. We offer this service free of charge because:
- We want to help nonprofits from start to finish
- We're already established as a free fundraising platform
- We're funded through optional donor tips
- We aim to remove financial barriers to starting nonprofits
What Support is Available?
Our team provides:
- Document preparation assistance
- Guidance through the filing process
- Communication support with state agencies
- Optional 501(c)(3) application assistance
For any questions, you can contact us at: npostarter@zeffy.com