How to Start a Nonprofit (State-by-State Guides)
Step-by-step guides to starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in all 50 US states. Registration, fees, and timelines.
Starting a nonprofit requires both state incorporation and federal tax-exempt status. The process varies by state — filing fees, registration requirements, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Each guide below walks you through the complete process for your state: choosing a name, incorporating, applying for 501(c)(3) status, registering for charitable solicitation, and starting to fundraise.
State Guides
- Alabama — $100 filing fee
- Alaska — $50 filing fee
- Arizona — $40 filing fee
- Arkansas — $50 filing fee
- California — $30 filing fee
- Colorado — $50 filing fee
- Connecticut — $50 filing fee
- Delaware — $89 filing fee
- Florida — $35 filing fee
- Georgia — $100 filing fee
- Hawaii — $25 filing fee
- Idaho — $30 filing fee
- Illinois — $50 filing fee
- Indiana — $30 filing fee
- Iowa — $20 filing fee
- Kansas — $20 filing fee
- Kentucky — $40 filing fee
- Louisiana — $75 filing fee
- Maine — $40 filing fee
- Maryland — $100 filing fee
- Massachusetts — $35 filing fee
- Michigan — $20 filing fee
- Minnesota — $70 filing fee
- Mississippi — $50 filing fee
- Missouri — $25 filing fee
- Montana — $20 filing fee
- Nebraska — $10 filing fee
- Nevada — $50 filing fee
- New Hampshire — $25 filing fee
- New Jersey — $75 filing fee
- New Mexico — $25 filing fee
- New York — $75 filing fee
- North Carolina — $60 filing fee
- North Dakota — $40 filing fee
- Ohio — $99 filing fee
- Oklahoma — $25 filing fee
- Oregon — $50 filing fee
- Pennsylvania — $125 filing fee
- Rhode Island — $35 filing fee
- South Carolina — $25 filing fee
- South Dakota — $30 filing fee
- Tennessee — $100 filing fee
- Texas — $25 filing fee
- Utah — $30 filing fee
- Vermont — $75 filing fee
- Virginia — $75 filing fee
- Washington — $30 filing fee
- West Virginia — $25 filing fee
- Wisconsin — $35 filing fee
- Wyoming — $25 filing fee
Ready to Start Fundraising?
Once your nonprofit is registered, GiveLink helps you accept donations from day one with transparent 1% pricing, built-in donor management, and AI support designed for new organizations.