A non-profit is a fantastic way to do something great that you can truly feel good about but many people may not know how to go about doing it. There are several aspects to keep in mind when starting a nonprofit and the first is to distinguish the types of non-profits you can start.
Types of Non-Profit
There are several ways to structure a non-profit organization, each with a different set of pros and cons. To determine which structures may be more or less advantageous in your specific circumstances, we recommend you consult with a lawyer with experience working with non-profit organizations and prepare a summary of the intended operations of the organization for their review.
Starting Your Non-Profit
To incorporate a non-profit organization, you will be required to pay the related incorporation fees. You will also need to come up with a name for your organization that is distinctive and is a name that people will remember. A lawyer with corporate and non-profit experience will assist with reviewing the required NUANS report. This is a report that will let you know if another company exists with a confusingly similar name and allows you to reserve your chosen name for up to 90 days.
After that you will need to complete and file the necessary documents detailing the structure of the organization. You will also need to create articles and operating bylaws for the organization. After that it is necessary to register the address for the organization and appoint individuals to certain positions within the organization. Again, a lawyer with non-profit experience can assist with these considerations.
Keep an eye for our next blog, which will be part two of starting a non-profit organization in Alberta.