Carol,
12 mommies started a homeschool co-op. We offer an educational learning class three times a month and social events (field trips). We are wanting to do things right. We are thinking of collecting dues and selling goods to have money for trips. How do we get started with registering as nonprofit, filing a 501c3, doing everything legal in my state?
Courtney
Courtney,
Good for you and the 12 families to help each other homeschool by forming a co-op!
Start by reading through my checklist of steps to form a nonprofit and apply for tax exempt status.
One of your first tasks will be to form a board, the 3-5 people who will lead the group and make major decisions.
My webinar Create a Nonprofit for Your Homeschool Community will offer you some great tips to form a board.
Then my book Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out should be a big help.
Finally one of your officers (usually the Treasurer) should read my book The IRS and Your Homeschool Organization. It explains the process to apply for 501c3 tax exempt status.
When you’re ready contact me and we can set up a phone call to see if you’re set up enough to apply for 501c3 tax exempt status!
Carol Topp, CPA
HomeschoolCPA.com
Helping Homeschool Leaders