What is in here
Frequently asked questions
The questions founders actually ask, answered once and properly
Filing when you raised nothing, missed filings, 1023 vs 1023-EZ, determination letters, public support, audits, NTEE codes, and state registration.
What makes you fundable
What a trustee checks before they read your letter, in order
Six checks, in the order a foundation actually performs them - and what to fix first.
The documents you will be asked for
The documents you will actually need, and what to do with each one
Conflict of interest policy, board resolutions, bylaws checklist, the letter to correct your IRS activity code, and the records a funder will ask for.
Every rule quoted in these was checked against irs.gov before it was published. Where an answer rests on a rule, the rule is named in the answer.
What this is, and what it is not
These are working documents, written for somebody running a small organization who did not come from the sector. They are not legal advice and they do not replace an accountant. Where a document has to go to a government office, the procedure is written out so you can do it yourself.
None of the reading asks for your address and none of it is held back. Read it, keep it, or close the tab.