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Nonprofit Founder

You have a passion and a purpose; you have observed an important community need, and you are ready and willing to give everything you have to meet that need. You want to start a nonprofit organization.

FPLG understands exactly where you are coming from and what you want to do. Our purpose is to help you reach your goals, as the process can be a massive obstacle course to navigate.

Making the Complicated, Simple

The process of starting a new nonprofit, tax-exempt organization is much more complicated at the beginning than starting a simple business. A nonprofit founder must not only establish the legal structure of the new entity, but they must also convince the Internal Revenue Service, state taxing agencies, and charity regulators that they deserve and qualify for tax-exempt status, and it can be confusing on how best to accomplish that task. FPLG has assisted hundreds of founders launch their nonprofit organizations, and we can quickly and efficiently set up a new nonprofit with the best possible foundation for growth.

Freeing You to Build

Any filing with the Internal Revenue Service should be approached with care. The application for exempt-status is no different; it requires a founder to put together a three year proposed business plan, including an estimated budget for all three years. The IRS estimates that most applications for exempt status take upwards of fourteen hours to complete, and there are areas on the application that contain traps for the novice. FPLG has the knowledge and expertise to quickly and efficiently complete the paperwork, freeing your time which is much better spent building your programs and fundraising.

Partnering, Every Step of the Way

Starting any new enterprise can be overwhelming, but operating and managing a nonprofit organization is outside the expertise of most founders. Quite a few members of FPLG’s team also have experience leading, operating and managing nonprofit organizations as executive directors, development directors, and program managers. We understand how overwhelming it can be, and we have the experience to make starting and growing a new nonprofit organization as easy as possible.

01

Ms. Harris came to our aid while forming our nonprofit company in 2013. Without her and her expertise our humanitarian organization would not have been able to jump through all of the hoops to not only incorporate but to also receive 501(c)(3) status accurately and expeditiously. We came to her with our vision, our goals and beliefs, and she helped pave the way for us. We simply could not be what we are today without her and her expertise. I highly recommend May Harris and her firm to any nonprofit, either just forming or if you're already formed and expanding.

Jody Mattena Founder & Executive Director
Tabibu Africa
02

Thank you, we appreciate all you’ve done for us! It’s been an amazing experience. I don’t know what I’d have done without FPLG. Top tier from beginning to end.

James Azevedo President
SD Current
03

How simply great such a well trained attorney as May Harris can assist nonprofits with unparalleled skill and strategy. Not only is she thoughtful and articulate, but also adept at taking a relatively modest disaster and redirecting it positively. What luck that she's got unfathomable experience. Thank you, May Harris.

Bart Ziegler President
Samuel Lawrence Foundation
04

May was absolutely brilliant, incredibly knowledgeable, amazingly insightful. I was so impressed with her consultation. She is an absolute professional!

Noelle Hallman Founder
Fund Your Future

Why Clients Choose FPLG

Our Focus: Purpose Driven

FPLG focuses solely on providing legal counsel to purpose driven enterprises, including nonprofit organizations, benefit and social purpose corporations, and individual philanthropists dedicated to improving our communities.

Our Profession: Expert Guidance

FPLG’s team of professionals provide relevant, timely and proactive legal expertise to our clients, in an area where most attorneys do not focus, ensuring they have the best possible information and guidance at their fingertips.

Our Mission: Exemplary Service

FPLG is dedicated to providing client service at a level rarely experienced with traditional attorneys or law firms. Our clients are doing exceptional, purposeful work.; FPLG can do no less.

Related Areas of Expertise

Nonprofit & Tax Exempt Organizations

FPLG’s nonprofit attorneys have honed an extensive knowledge of the complex legal, tax and operational challenges facing nonprofit leaders every day.

Social Enterprise & Business Law

FPLG's experienced corporate attorneys also hold MBAs, and they understand how social entrepreneurs and business owners think.

Featured Insights

Resources for

Nonprofit Leaders
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Inspired Entrepreneurs
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Active Philanthropists
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How can we help you today?

For Purpose Law Group