Anyone know how to start a non-profit organization??? *youth bball*

It's not a fast process. My theatre started on it's paperwork in April and it was October before we could accept any donations.

 

Once you are up and running, go here to give your non-profit a leg up on super cheap software. They also have non-profit tech advice.

http://www.techsoup.com/

 

Basically you are talking about a two part process. First you form a nonprofit corporation. The first step in this process is to file Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State. Assuming you are in Texas the Secretary of State's website is very helpful in this regard. There are more steps involved, but I won't go into them here.

Forming your corporation, however, is distinct from becoming what most people think of as a nonprofit, meaning people can make contributions and deduct them from their taxes. This is typically referred to as a 501(c)(3) organization, after the tax code provision that governs them. In order to receive tax-free status, you file a Form 1023 with the IRS. Like most tax forms it is lengthy and complicated and is not written in English, however, the IRS has publications (I think Publication 57 off the top of my head, but these are also not written in English) to assist you through the process. You receive provisional tax-free status, but the overall process is lengthy before you get final approval.

If you have the money, hire an attorney and an accountant to assist you.

None of the foregoing is legal advice, just an attempt to head you in the right direction. This is just a summary and there is a bunch of other stuff you need to know. YMMV.