Phase 1: Our Startup Journey
This step-by-step process shows how we will lay the legal and financial groundwork for our organization. Each step will be a prerequisite for the next, creating a clear path to becoming operational.
Incorporate in Montana
Obtain Federal EIN
Draft Bylaws & Hold Meeting
Open Bank Account
Our Minimum Startup Costs
Our initial fundraising goal will cover these essential, one-time fees to get legally established. This chart breaks down the minimum required investment we will make.
The Montana Advantage
Montana's regulatory environment offers a significant benefit for new nonprofits, reducing administrative hurdles and costs compared to many other states.
No State-Level Registration Required
Montana does not require charitable organizations to register with the state to solicit donations. This saves time and money, allowing you to focus on your mission from day one.
Phase 2: Our 501(c)(3) Application Path
Securing federal tax-exempt status will be critical for us. We will choose the IRS Form 1023-EZ as our most strategic path due to its lower cost and faster processing time.
Phase 4: How We Will Fuel Our Mission
Our diverse fundraising strategy will be key to long-term sustainability. We will focus on building relationships across individual, grant, and corporate channels.
Phase 5: Our Service Delivery Models
We will leverage our team's expertise to provide crucial digital and media support for churches across Montana, enhancing their online presence and outreach.
Website Design & Support
We will assist churches in building and maintaining an effective online presence.
Social Media Strategy
We will help create and execute engaging social media plans to grow their community.
Live Stream Technical Support
We will provide guidance and troubleshooting for live streaming worship services.
Phase 6: How We Will Stay Compliant
Maintaining our nonprofit status will require meeting annual filing deadlines with both the state of Montana and the IRS. We will mark our calendar for these key dates.
Montana Annual Report
Due: April 15th
We will file online with the MT Secretary of State to keep our organization in good standing. The fee is $15.
IRS Form 990-N
Due: 5/15 (for Dec 31 year-end)
As a small nonprofit (receipts < $50k), we will file the simple e-Postcard annually to maintain federal tax-exempt status.