Starting A Teach Peace Chapter - Teach Peace encourages expansion in your area.

What You Need To Get Started

1. Discuss your thoughts with a Teach Peace board member by calling 530-204-7227.

2. Prior to incurring the expense and administrative burdens of a separate 501(c)(3), you should operate within the national Teach Peace organization for your first year of operations and until it makes sense to establish a separate 501(c)(3).

3. Creating and maintaining a 501(c)(3) is a lot of work and should not be pursued unless donations exceed $50,000. Until that time, the benefits of working within the Teach Peace Foundation are overwhelming.

4. As background information, the steps to create a 501(c)(3) are listed below.

Teach Peace 501(c)(3) Checklist

1.  Adopt the a Mission Statement and Strategic Plan. These two documents are communicate the focus and direction of Teach Peace both now and in the future.

2.  Name your non-profit, Teach Peace __________ Chapter. In your immediate area, you would generally refer to the organization as teach peace although the full name of the organization would specify the location or area (e.g., teach peace Dallas Chapter).

3.  Adhering to the Teach Peace Mission Statement and Strategic plan will confirm that help you obtain the IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter. To file the paperwork to become a 501(c)(3), first form a corporation. Refer to the parent Teach Peace corporate charter to help create this.

4.  Establish and adopt by-laws. The Bylaws are the "rules" that govern your non-profit and are necessary to ensure that your organization qualifies for state and federal tax exemption. You can request the Teach Peace Bylaws are available at contact@teachpeace.com.

5.  Determine whether you are eligible for 501(c) status. This is the all-important IRS tax designation that allows you to obtain private and public grants, low-cost postage rates and exemption from income, sales and property taxes. Most importantly, it allows individuals to donate money to you tax-free.

6.  Establish and adopt by-laws for your non-profit organization. Bylaws are the "rules" that govern your non-profit and are necessary to ensure that your organization qualifies for state and federal tax exemption.

7.  Create and file the Articles of Incorporation and by-laws for your organization. As part of its complete Non-Profit formation package, LegalZoom will help you incorporate your organization and prepare your 501(c)(3) tax paperwork. For more information, please visit LegalZoom's Non-Profit Services.

8.  Set up a Board of Directors. Consider choosing individuals who are both passionate about your cause and carry some weight in your community. An impressive Board of Directors serves as a tremendous resource to a non-profit organization and can often be a "make or break" factor in your success.

9.  Set up a bank account under the name of your non-profit organization and that is separate from your personal bank account or from any other business accounts you have

10.  Establish an annual budget for your non-profit based on operating expenses including salaries. Once the budget is created, it is possible to determine the amount of money required to run the non-profit.

11.  Develop a funding plan that includes funding resources such as grants, corporate and private donations, in-kind contributions, and volunteer hours

12.  With the help of your accountant, set up record keeping and accounting processes. This is particularly important in the eyes of the IRS and key to maintaining your non-profit and tax-exempt status.

13.  File any necessary local, state and federal tax, licensing, and permits that are required such as obtaining a federal EIN (employee identification number) by filing IRS Form SS-4, applying for a business license from the city and/or state, obtaining a certificate of occupancy for a building, or building permits if you are planning on renovating any part of the building in which your non-profit agency is located. LegalZoom can help you with many of these requirements. For more information please visit LegalZoom's Business Services.

14.  Develop human resource related policies and procedures manuals if you are planning on hiring additional employees.

Starting and running a non-profit organization can be a very rewarding experience, but as with any business venture, it pays to plan ahead in order to avoid the bumps along the road. With an organized plan, there is no reason why you can't turn your calling into a fabulous and meaningful career.

Please send improvements to this Toolkit to contact@teachpeace.com.

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