How to Start a Nonprofit Organization in Kansas 2024


Steve Bennett
Steve Bennett
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Start a Nonprofit in Kansas

Establishing a nonprofit is kind of similar to forming a corporation in Kansas. You can easily start a nonprofit in Kansas as a limited liability company, a corporation, or any other type of business structure. Unlike for-profit businesses, nonprofits focus on addressing pressing social issues than profit-oriented businesses.

This article will guide you through the Dos and Don’ts of starting a nonprofit in Kansas. LLCBuddy editors explain all the steps you must follow to form a corporation for your nonprofit organization. It must be noted that this page shared generalized steps to form a nonprofit in Kansas. It is recommended to consult an attorney or hire a professional service.

What is a Nonprofit in Kansas

Nonprofit organizations are legal entities that operate to serve public benefits and address community issues. Unlike for-profit organizations, nonprofits do not aim to generate any profit. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) generally exempts nonprofit organizations from tax. However, based on the business entity structure, you will receive tax exemptions as a nonprofit.

In Kansas, ensure you have a community issue to address before forming your nonprofit. It can generally be education, religion, charity, social service, or other social issues. Nonprofits do not pay taxes on the money they receive through fundraising programs, donations, or any charitable funding.

Types of Nonprofits in Kansas

The first thing one has to decide is what type of nonprofit structure one wants. There are several types of nonprofits one can start. Here is a list of nonprofit types one can choose from-

  1. Nonprofit LLC
  2. Nonprofit Corporation
  3. Unincorporated Nonprofit

BOI Report Filing

According to the Corporate Transparency Act, every LLC, corporation, and other type of business that is registered with the Kansas SOS or similar authority, must file the BOI report with FinCEN. From January 1, 2024, it is mandatory to file a BOI report for every business entity. In this report, LLCs have to share information about the beneficial owners (having equal or more than 25% share). LLC owners can file BOI reports online or offline.

Businesses in Kansas that are created before January 1, 2024, should file their BOI report by January 1, 2025. Businesses that are created in 2024, must file the BOI report within 90 business days of finishing the formation process. Missing out on filing the BOI report may lead to a monetary penalty of $500/day.

How to Start a Nonprofit in Kansas

Nonprofits are certainly different from for-profit organizations. The main focus of the organization is on social values rather than profit. The process of having a nonprofit in Kansas is similar to forming any corporation in Kansas. However, there are a few additional steps to follow.

Step 1: Develop Your Mission and Vision

Before you get into legal details, you need to define the purpose and goal of your organization clearly; this will go a long way in guiding your decisions as well as making it easy for you to explain your mission statement.

  • Pick out what specific cause or issue you want to address;
  • Define who you will target or help reach particular goals;
  • List down both what people should do within a short period and what they should achieve in the long term perspective;
  • Write a captivating mission statement.

Step 2: Name Your Nonprofit in Kansas

Naming a business in Kansas has a handful of regulations. If you start a corporation or an LLC in Kansas, you must follow those regulations to name your nonprofit. The most important rule is to check if the name is available in Kansas to use.

If you’re forming an LLC in Kansas for your nonprofit organization, check out LLC naming guidelines in Kansas. For the corporation regulations, read on how to start a corporation in Kansas. As soon as the name is decided, you can reserve it with the Kansas Secretary of State. You can also file DBA in Kansas before you establish your nonprofit organization. DBA can be filed in several methods, however, it is not mandatory to file a DBA name in Kansas. The DBA filing fee in Kansas is $0, as it is not mandatory to file DBA name in this state.

  • Online DBA Filing: No online form is available, as it is not mandatory to file a DBA name in Kansas.
  • Offline DBA Filing: No PDF form is available, as it is not mandatory to file a DBA name in Kansas
  • DBA Renew Time in Kansas: none, as there is no mandatory rule to file DBA

Step 3: Appoint Initial Board Members

If you’re forming a corporation for your Kansas nonprofit, it is required to appoint the initial board members. In Kansas, you need at least One unrelated directors to start the organization. If you don’t choose a minimum of One directors, it will automatically become a member-managed corporation.

Step 4: Get Kansas Registered Agent

This is a very important step for any business in Kansas. The Registered Agent in Kansas is a person who conducts all types of documentation between the State and your nonprofit organization. The Registered Agent must be from Kansas, above 18 years of age, and must have legal rights to conduct business in the state. Several professional and business formation services offer registered agent services in all the states in the USA. It is better to hire a professional rather than being your own Registered Agent in Kansas.

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Step 5: File Articles of Incorporation with Kansas SOS

This is the most important step in forming a nonprofit corporation in Kansas. File your Articles of Incorporation with the Kansas Secretary of State. You can file your nonprofit corporation through two ways, online and by mail. Submit the details of your nonprofit corporation, like the name of the nonprofit, address, name and address of the registered agent, operation dates, directors’ details, and more information related to your company.

  • Online Incorporation: Create an account/Log in to the SOS site, get the online form, fill it, and submit online
  • Offline Incorporation: Send the form by mail to Kansas Office of the Secretary of State, Memorial Hall, 1st Floor, 120 S.W. 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66612
  • Incorporation Fee in Kansas: $90 for filing online and by mail

Hiring a professional service might be a wise idea here. Having a corporation is much more complex than forming an LLC. We recommend ZenBusiness as they are one of the top business service providers currently. They offer LLC formation at $0 in Kansas.

Step 5.1: Write Company Bylaws

As soon as you file the formation documents, it is time for the company bylaws. The directors and board members must decide how the meetings, elections, voting, and other corporate activities will be held. These bylaws must comply with the Kansas state law. It is similar to an LLC operating agreement in Kansas for the LLC owners.

Step 6: Get an EIN in Kansas

The next step is to obtain the EIN in Kansas. The employer identification number (EIN) is required to conduct business in Kansas. You will need to acquire the Kansas EIN from the official IRS website. To obtain the EIN, submit your application to the IRS office either by mail or through their online platform. There is no associated cost for this process.

Step 7: Tax Exemptions for Your Nonprofit

When you start a nonprofit in Kansas, you enjoy tax exemptions. As the nonprofits are not profit-oriented, they get a huge tax exemption from Federal and State authorities.

Federal Tax Exemption

You must submit Form 1023 to the IRS to file for federal tax exemption. This form, titled “Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code,” is required for all nonprofit corporations. Smaller nonprofits have the option to file Form 1023-EZ instead. You will be prompted to provide details about your organization upon obtaining the relevant form. Complete the form with the necessary information and submit it. The filing fees are $600 for Form 1023 and $275 for Form 1023-EZ.

State Tax Exemption

Once you get the Federal Tax Exempt, it is time for State Tax Exempt. In Kansas, you must apply for the tax exemption to the Kansas Department of Revenue. Get the form, fill it up with the correct details, and send it to the office. You may need to pay a fee along with the form and supportive documents to apply for the State Tax Exemption. You need an Exemption Certificate to apply for the state tax exemption. Read Kansas classification of taxes to learn more about the Kansas tax structure.

Can I form an LLC for my Nonprofit in Kansas?

Yes, you can form an LLC in Kansas to run a nonprofit. Establishing an LLC nonprofit in Kansas requires similar documents and paperwork. Except for tax exemption applications that one must file with the state tax and revenue department. LLCs must file Form 1023 with the Kansas Department of Revenue to get the tax exemption.

After You Form a Nonprofit Corporation in Kansas

Once your nonprofit is formed, there are additional steps to complete:

  • Get necessary licenses: As soon as your corporation or an LLC for your Nonprofit in Kansas will be established, get necessary licenses and permits. Check with the local authority/government to get the local permits.
  • Get Insurance for the Kansas Nonprofit: You must get workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance if you have employees. Based on your nonprofit structure, you might need general liability insurance, property, vehicle, auto insurance, etc.
  • Get a Business Bank Account: You must get a business account for all types of business-related transactions in Kansas. You may need different documents based on the bank and place of business. Check with the bank for it.
  • File Nonprofit as Charity: This is optional. Your nonprofit is either for charity purposes or any purpose that meets your community’s needs. If your organization is for charity purposes, then you can file your nonprofit as a charity to enjoy tax exemptions.
  • Other Business Compliances: You may need additional compliances based on your nonprofit type. Check with your attorney or local authority for more information.
  • Evaluating And Improving Performance: To evaluate the performance of your non-profit organization, it is necessary to; establish performance metrics also tied to the mission; and implement continuous improvement strategies.
  • Staying Current With Nonprofit Trends And Best Practices: To stay up-to-date on trends and best practices in the non-profit world you should join nonprofit associations plus networks.

Common Challenges And How To Address Them

  • Funding Sustainability

For funding sustainability issues you need to focus on diversifying funding sources and developing strong relationships with donors. Also, implementing efficient financial management, exploring earned income opportunities for sustainability, and such should be on focus.

  • Volunteer Management

The challenges faced in volunteer management can be resolved by creating clear roles plus expectations for volunteers, and providing adequate training also support. Recognize and appreciate volunteer contributions while implementing volunteer retention strategies such as offering regular appreciation events or awards. Provide trainers’ placement services too.

  • Mission Drift

This problem can be solved by several mechanisms such as regular review and reaffirmation of your organizational mission–this will ensure that all activities are aligned with the core purpose. Educate board members and staff about the importance of the mission and make them understand how this works out in practice. Implement a strategic planning process and explain to the board why it is important for their organizations to have a well-defined mission.

  • Regulatory Compliance

To remain compliant with the law, you need to: keep track of changing laws and regulations all the time; conduct regular compliance audits; seek professional advice when in doubt; and implement comprehensive record-keeping systems.

Names of Nonprofit Corporations in Kansas

Following are some of the Nonprofit Organizations in Kansas. The contact information of these organizations can be found on Kansas Secretary of State portal.

  • Unbound. Kansas City
  • B&C Equine Rescue Inc.
  • Carbondale
  • Fundamental Learning Center Inc.
  • Variety Children’s Charity of Greater Kansas City.
  • L M Alcott Art Center Foundation.
  • Star of Hope International America Inc.
  • Shirley Ann Sullivan Educational Foundation.
  • Freeman Arabian Ranch And Rescue.

FAQs

How do I start a nonprofit in Kansas?
To start a nonprofit in Kansas, you must file articles of incorporation with the Kansas Secretary of State.
What types of nonprofits are recognized in Kansas?
Kansas recognizes various types of nonprofits, such as charitable organizations, religious organizations, and educational organizations.
Do I need to have a board of directors to start a nonprofit in Kansas?
Yes, Kansas law requires nonprofits to have a board of directors with a minimum of three members.
Can a nonprofit in Kansas pay its board members?
A nonprofit in Kansas can pay its board members reasonable compensation for services rendered.
How long does it typically take to get nonprofit status in Kansas?
The process of obtaining nonprofit status in Kansas usually takes several weeks to a few months, depending on the workload of the Secretary of State’s office.
Are there any specific requirements for nonprofit bylaws in Kansas?
Yes, Kansas requires nonprofits to have bylaws that outline the organization’s structure, governance, and decision-making processes.
Do I need to register my nonprofit with the state of Kansas if I plan to operate locally?
Yes, even if you plan to operate locally, you must register your nonprofit with the state of Kansas.
What are the annual reporting requirements for nonprofits in Kansas?
Nonprofits in Kansas must file an annual report and pay a filing fee to the Kansas Secretary of State.
Can I apply for tax-exempt status for my nonprofit in Kansas?
Yes, to become tax-exempt, you must apply for 501(c)(3) status with the IRS after incorporating in Kansas.
Does Kansas offer any special benefits to nonprofits?
Kansas offers tax exemptions to qualifying nonprofits and provides resources for training and networking opportunities.
Can I start a nonprofit in Kansas if I am not a resident of the state?
Yes, you can start a nonprofit in Kansas even if you are not a resident of the state.
How much does it cost to start a nonprofit in Kansas?
The cost of starting a nonprofit in Kansas includes filing fees with the Secretary of State and any legal fees associated with drafting bylaws and other documents.
Are there any specific fundraising regulations for nonprofits in Kansas?
Yes, Kansas has specific laws governing fundraising activities, such as registration requirements for charitable solicitations.
Can a nonprofit in Kansas engage in political activities?
Nonprofits in Kansas can engage in some political activities but must adhere to certain guidelines to maintain their tax-exempt status.
What are the steps to dissolve a nonprofit in Kansas?
To dissolve a nonprofit in Kansas, you must notify the Secretary of State, settle debts and liabilities, and distribute any remaining assets to another nonprofit organization.
Can I operate a nonprofit out of my home in Kansas?
Yes, you can operate a nonprofit out of your home in Kansas, as long as you comply with local zoning and business regulations.
Are there specific regulations for nonprofit employment practices in Kansas?
Nonprofits in Kansas must comply with state and federal regulations regarding employment practices, such as minimum wage and workplace safety laws.
Can I convert my existing for-profit business into a nonprofit in Kansas?
Yes, you can convert your existing for-profit business into a nonprofit in Kansas, although the process is complex and requires careful consideration.
What are the consequences of not complying with Kansas nonprofit laws?
Noncompliance with Kansas nonprofit laws can result in fines, penalties, and loss of tax-exempt status for the organization.
Can a nonprofit in Kansas make a profit?
While nonprofits in Kansas can generate revenue, any profits must be used to further the organization’s mission and cannot be distributed to individuals.
Are there grants available to help start a nonprofit in Kansas?
Yes, there are grants available from both government and private sources to help start and support nonprofits in Kansas.
Can a nonprofit in Kansas engage in commercial activities?
Nonprofits in Kansas can engage in certain commercial activities, as long as the revenue generated directly supports the organization’s tax-exempt purpose.
Are there specific regulations for nonprofit governance in Kansas?
Yes, Kansas has specific regulations governing nonprofit governance, such as conflict of interest policies and board member responsibilities.
Can I start a nonprofit in Kansas if I have a criminal record?
Having a criminal record doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from starting a nonprofit in Kansas, but it may impact your ability to obtain tax-exempt status.
Are there resources available to help me start a nonprofit in Kansas?
Yes, there are resources available in Kansas to help you navigate the process of starting and running a nonprofit, such as workshops and online guides.
Can I purchase insurance for my nonprofit in Kansas?
Yes, it is recommended that nonprofits in Kansas obtain insurance coverage, such as liability insurance, to protect against potential risks and claims.
Can a nonprofit in Kansas own property?
Yes, a nonprofit in Kansas can own property, such as real estate and assets, to support its charitable mission.
Do I need a lawyer to start a nonprofit in Kansas?
While it is not required to hire a lawyer to start a nonprofit in Kansas, consulting with legal counsel can help ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
Can a nonprofit in Kansas gift money to individuals?
Nonprofits in Kansas are generally prohibited from gifting money to individuals, as funds must be used to further the organization’s tax-exempt purpose.
How do I start a nonprofit organization in Kansas?
To start a nonprofit organization in Kansas, you will need to file Articles of Incorporation with the Kansas Secretary of State.

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In Conclusion

Starting a Nonprofit corporation in the Kansas takes careful thought, dedication, and detailing. Follow the steps detailed in this guide while addressing common challenges so that your organization can be built on solid ground and make a long-lasting impact on your cause. Remember also that running a nonprofit organization in Kansas is a perpetual learning, adapting, and growing process.

As you continue your journey, you may need professional help. Having a professional or experienced person, or attorneys while you run your nonprofit in Kansas can make the journey much simpler in the long run. Since forming a nonprofit involves tax exemptions, the government takes additional care to verify your background.

Donations, charity, and several community services are the most desirable ways to evade tax. Hence, many people get involved in nonprofit organizations. It is recommended to consult a legal professional, accountants, and service providers like ZenBusiness for the paperwork and formation process. With persistence, passion, and proper management structure everything is possible hence changing positively your community as far as Non-Profit corporations are concerned.

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