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Starting a Nonprofit in Washington State

In this blog I will lay out steps, tasks, and roles within the given timeline you'd need, so that you can successfully set up a natural resource conservation or preservation nonprofit organization in Washington state.

Summary Timeline Overview:

1. Research and Planning: 1-2 months

2. Form a Board of Directors: 1 month

3. Legal Incorporation: 1 month

4. Apply for Tax-Exempt Status: 3-6 months

5. Develop Organizational Infrastructure: 2-3 months

6. Fundraising Strategy: Ongoing

7. Marketing and Outreach: Ongoing

8. Launch Programs and Activities: Ongoing

9. Evaluation and Reporting: Ongoing

10. Compliance and Governance: Ongoing

I'm going to imagine I'm setting one up and I'd call it:

"Evergreen Conservation Alliance" (ECA)

Step 1: Research and Planning

Task: Define mission, vision, and objectives.

Role: Founders, Board of Directors

Timeline:1-2 months

Research: Conduct research on natural resource issues in Washington state, such as forest conservation, water quality, and wildlife preservation.

Mission and Vision:

Mission: "To preserve and restore the natural ecosystems of Washington state through community engagement, education, and sustainable practices."

Vision: A happy and sustainable natural environment for future generations in Washington.

Feasibility Study: Assess the need for ECA by interviewing/ polling local communities, environmental experts, and stakeholders.

Plan: Develop a plan focusing on key areas such as forest restoration, water conservation, and wildlife habitat preservation.

Step 2: Form a Board of Directors

Task: Recruit and form the initial board.

Role: Founders

Timeline: 1 month

Recruitment: Identify and recruit individuals with expertise in ecology, environmental law, fundraising, and community outreach. Potential board members might include university professors, retired forestry professionals, and local business leaders.

Roles and Responsibilities: Define roles such as Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and general board members.

Bylaws: Draft and approve the organization’s bylaws, outlining governance and operational procedures.

Step 3: Legal Incorporation

Task: Incorporate the nonprofit.

Role: Founders, Legal Advisor

Timeline: 1 month

Choose a Name: Establish a name that hasn't already been in use:i.e. "Evergreen Conservation Alliance"

File Articles of Incorporation: File with the Washington Secretary of State.

EIN: Obtain an Employer Identification Number from the IRS.

Step 4: Apply for Tax-Exempt Status

Task: Apply for 501(c)(3) status.

Role: Founders, Legal Advisor

Timeline: 3-6 months

Prepare Application: Complete IRS Form 1023 or 1023-EZ.

Submit Application: Submit the form to the IRS for tax-exempt status.

Washington State Tax Exemption: Apply for state tax exemptions.

Step 5: Make Organizational Infrastructure

Task: Set up the organizational infrastructure.

Role: Founders, Board of Directors, Staff

Timeline: 2-3 months

Office Space: Find an office space in a central location such as Olympia, WA, or opt for a virtual office setup.

Bank Account: Open a nonprofit bank account with a local bank.

Accounting System: Set up an accounting and record-keeping system using software like 'QuickBooks for Nonprofits.'

Policies and Procedures: Make organizational policies and procedures, including volunteer management and conflict of interest policies.

Step 6: Fundraising Strategy

Task: Develop and implement a fundraising strategy.

Role: Founders, Board of Directors, Fundraising Committee

Timeline: Ongoing

Initial Funding: Find initial funding through donations from board members, local businesses, and environmental foundations.

Grant Applications: Research and apply for grants from organizations such as the Washington State Department of Ecology and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Fundraising Events: Plan and execute fundraising events like an annual “Evergreen Gala” and community clean-up days.

Step 7: Marketing and Outreach

Task: Promote the nonprofit and engage the community.

Role: Marketing Team, Outreach Coordinator

Timeline: Ongoing

Website and Social Media: Develop and launch a website i.e. (www.evergreenconservation.org) and create social media profiles on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Branding: Create a logo and other branding materials that reflect the organization's mission and vision.

Community Engagement: Conduct outreach through workshops, school programs, and local media to build a supporter base. Host meet and greets in local spots in Downtown, Olympia or at Evergreen State University since the organization name is a play on their name. (They could become a sponser.)

Step 8: Launch Programs and Activities

Task: Implement conservation or preservation programs.

Role: Program Director, Volunteers, Staff

Timeline: Ongoing

Program Development: Design and develop conservation programs such as tree planting initiatives, river clean-ups, and wildlife habitat restoration projects.

Volunteer Recruitment: Recruit and train volunteers through local universities, community groups, and social media.

Partnerships: Establish partnerships with local environmental groups, government agencies, and businesses.

Step 9: Evaluation and Reporting

Task: Monitor and evaluate the organization's impact.

Role: Evaluation Team, Board of Directors

Timeline: Ongoing

Impact Assessment: Regularly assess the impact of ECA’s activities using metrics like the number of trees planted, acres of land restored, and water quality improvements. (Keep this up to date.)

Reporting: Prepare and distribute annual reports to stakeholders, including donors, partners, and the community.

Feedback: Collect feedback from the community and stakeholders to improve programs.

Step 10: Compliance and Governance

Task: Ensure ongoing compliance and effective governance.

Role: Board of Directors, Legal Advisor

Timeline: Ongoing

State Filings: Submit annual reports and renewals to the Washington Secretary of State.

IRS Compliance: Maintain compliance with IRS requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations, including filing Form 990 annually.

Board Meetings: Conduct regular board meetings and keep detailed minutes.

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Citations:

Photo 1: (2024). Starting a Nonprofit [Photograph]. SOS.wa.gov. https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-07/Starting_a_Nonprofit_in_WA_Guide_2023.pdf?uid=64c1af2d79c90

Photo 2: (2013). Evergreen Trees in Washington State [Photograph]. Bing.com. https://portfolio.photoseek.com/image/I0000C3arcZiHIuo

BLS (n.d.). Maintaining your 501(c) (3) Status. Certified Public Accountants. https://www.belfint.com/maintaining-your-501c3-status/#:~:text=Do%20comply%20with%20reporting%20obligations.%20Your%20nonprofit%20is,a%20row%2C%20your%20tax-exempt%20status%20will%20be%20revoked.

Department of Ecology (n.d.). Grants & loans. Retrieved July 24, 2024, from https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Payments-contracts-grants/Grants-loans

Department of Revenue (n.d.). Retail sales and use tax exemptions. Department of Revenue WA State. Retrieved July 24, 2024, from https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/retail-sales-tax/retail-sales-and-use-tax-exemptions

Evergreen University (n.d.). Evergreen University. Evergreen EDU. Retrieved July 24, 2024, from https://www.evergreen.edu/

FormSwift (n.d.). Non-Profit Bylaws. FormsTemplates. Retrieved July 24, 2024, from https://www.formstemplates.com/non-profit-bylaws/?utm_device=c&u_producttype=formstemplates&msclkid=eb0f3d20fd471c8b4e965b81c63301d8&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Static%20-%20Non%20Profit%20By%20Laws%20-%20%5BSEARCH%5D&utm_term=non%20profit%20bylaws&utm_content=Non%20Profit%20By%20Laws%20-%20%5BE%5D

IRS (n.d.). Digital IRS Form 1023. Retrieved July 24, 2024, from https://form-1023.com/?keyword=%2Birs%20%2Bform%20%2B1023%20%2Bez%20%2Bapplication&campaignid=590063287&adgroupid=1357898699255369&msclkid=519f0432af5b17dff6906293935f7f54&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=US_Executive_Department_Treasury_IRS%20Forms_Current&utm_term=%2Birs%20%2Bform%20%2B1023%20%2Bez%20%2Bapplication&utm_content=*2020%20IRS%201023,%20%5B2020-01%5D

IRS (n.d.). Apply for IRS Tax ID / Federal EIN Number. IRS Federal Filings. Retrieved July 24, 2024, from https://www.federal-filings.com/?msclkid=47f6a5fbff3f1304eb7fc35ac4e9e670&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ECPC%20%7C%20TESTING%20%7C%20EM%20%26%20PM%20%7C%20DESKTOP%20%7C%2005%2F09%2F24%20%7C%20TESTING&utm_term=employer%20fed%20id%20number&utm_content=Fed%20ID%20EM

SOS for Washington State (n.d.). Starting a Nonprofit in Washington State. Sos.wa.gov. Retrieved July 24, 2024, from https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-07/Starting_a_Nonprofit_in_WA_Guide_2023.pdf?uid=64c1af2d79c90

Washington Secretary of State (n.d.). Annual Reports. Retrieved July 24, 2024, from https://www.sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/annual-reports

Washington Secretary of State (n.d.). Nonprofits. Retrieved July 24, 2024, from https://www.sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities/nonprofits-charities/nonprofits

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