Most nonprofits make avoidable mistakes in their first year. Nascent Cause walks you through every step in the correct order — the way that gives you the best chance of IRS approval, legal protection, and long-term success.
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From the Founder
"I built Roll Out PTSD, Inc. without a lawyer. No consultant, no expensive guide. Just research and determination — and figuring it out step by step. I made this so you don't have to figure it out alone."
✦ No forms yet — just a conversation
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The Correct Order
Every step in the sequence that maximizes your chance of IRS approval on the first application.
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Real Documents
Bylaws, policies, and minutes templates built from your actual information — not generic placeholders.
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State by State
Pre-filled filing guides for every US state and territory. Direct links to official filing portals.
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Stays With You
Compliance calendar, document repository, and renewal tracking — active long after approval.
Nascent Cause
Tell us your vision
Progress
C
Organization Profile
YOUR INFORMATION HUB
✓ Changes saved successfully
Legal Identity
Must match exactly what you file with your state
National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities — used on your 1023-EZ
Key Dates
Date your organizing documents were formally adopted
Tax & Registration Numbers
Get yours free at IRS.gov — needed after state incorporation
Unique Entity Identifier — required for federal grants and SAM.gov
Home State of Incorporation ●
Registered Agent — Home State ●
Additional State Registrations
Add each state where your organization is registered for charitable solicitation or qualified to do business. Each state has its own registered agent requirement.
Contact & Address
Board of Directors ●
All officers must be unrelated individuals. This information is used in your bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, and 1023-EZ application.
● Required before filing with your state or the IRS
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Create a free account to save your progress and pick up where you left off anytime.
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Bylaws Questionnaire
BUILD YOUR GOVERNING DOCUMENT
Board
Meetings
Officers
Finance
Policies
Board Structure
Minimum number of directors ●
The IRS recommends at least 3 unrelated directors for 501(c)(3) status
Maximum number of directors
Leave blank if you prefer no maximum
Board term length ●
Term limits
Describe your term limit
Can a director return after a break?
Meetings
How often will the full board meet? ●
Advance notice for regular meetings (days) ●
Advance notice for special meetings (days) ●
Quorum requirement ●
Can members participate remotely and count toward quorum?
Can the board act by written consent without a meeting?
Officers
Who elects officers? ●
When are officers elected? ●
How long does each officer serve?
Can one person hold multiple officer positions?
Vote required to remove an officer ●
Financial Controls
Expenditure requiring full board approval ($) ●
Amounts below this threshold can be approved by an officer or executive director
Check signing requirement ●
Who is authorized to open bank accounts?
Fiscal year end ●
Policies
Vote required to amend bylaws ●
Advance notice before bylaw amendment vote (days) ●
Will any board members or officers be compensated? ●
Conflict of interest recusal process ●
How often do board members sign the conflict of interest disclosure? ●
Does the organization have standing committees?
If dissolved, remaining assets go to ●
Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or government entity — IRS requirement
✓ Bylaws questionnaire saved
Saving your vision
We're organizing everything you shared into your personal nonprofit profile.
Analyzing your conversation...
Drafting your mission statement...
Organizing your profile...
Mapping your state requirements...
Setting up your compliance roadmap...
Ready to create your account...
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Vision
Your Journey
Formation Progress
0%
Next Steps
Compliance Pulse
Your Documents
⭐
From the Founder
"Every document in this dashboard is a real step toward making your vision official. The paperwork is not the mission — but it protects everything you're building. Keep going."
1023-EZ Walkthrough
Federal Application
📋 Federal Application
Let's get your 501(c)(3) status.
The Form 1023-EZ lives on Pay.gov and takes most people one to two hours. We'll walk through every question in plain English so you're just copying answers when you open the form.
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From the Founder
"I did this on a Saturday morning. One cup of coffee, no lawyer, no consultant. The form is not as scary as it looks — it just needs someone to translate it into English first. That's exactly what this does."
What you'll need
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Filing fee: $275 — paid at the end on Pay.gov. Non-refundable. Complete this walkthrough fully before submitting.
1023-EZ
Part I
I
Part I
Identification
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Your Answer Sheet
Keep this open while you fill out the form on Pay.gov.
🖥 How to use this
1
Open Pay.gov on a computer and search for "Form 1023-EZ"
2
Keep this answer sheet open on your phone
3
Copy each answer exactly into the form
4
When you reach payment, your card and $275 filing fee are ready
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After you submit: Most 1023-EZ applications are approved in 2–4 weeks by email. Some are approved in days. Save that letter in multiple places the moment it arrives — you will need it for everything.
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From the Founder
"When my approval came through I couldn't believe how fast it happened. Share it with your board the moment you see it. That moment belongs to all of you."