501(c)(3) Paperwork

  1. ARTICLE OF INCORPORATION
    • Requirements: List of Board of Directors (minimum 3 members) and their addresses, Name of Registered Agent, Registered Office (must be physical address, cannot be a PO Box)
    • Registration Fee: $50
    • LINK to apply online to the State of Illinois
    • LINK to see form NFP 102.10 (PDF)
    • CMGT was approved on July 7, 2020
  1. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN)
    • Requirement: Date when the organization started
    • Registration Fee: $0
    • LINK to apply online to the IRS
    • CMGT was approved on July 20, 2020 (immediately upon completion)
  1. 501(C)(3)
    • Requirements: List of Board of Directors (minimum 3 members), Article of Incorporation, EIN, Website, Email
    • Registration Fee: $275
    • LINK to form 1023EZ Eligibility Worksheet (PDF)
    • LINK to register for online application, create account first on Pay.gov
    • CMGT was approved on October 05, 2020

  1. ILLINOIS STATE TAX EXEMPT
    • Requirements: Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Narrative of Purpose, Brochure, IRS 501(c)(3) approval letter, Financial Statement
    • Registration Fee: $0
    • LINK to apply online
    • CMGT was approved on March 04, 2021

  1. FUNDRAISING PERMIT
    • Requirements: Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, IRS 501(c)(3) approval letter, List of Board of Directors, Financial report (since inception + last annual fiscal/accounting period)
    • Registration Fee: $15
    • Late Fee: $200
    • LINK to download the instruction (PDF)
    • LINK to form CO-1 (PDF), apply via mail, no online option
    • CMGT was approved on October 27, 2021

  1. SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM)
    • LINK to YouTube video instruction to get Unique Identity ID (UEI)
    • LINK to YouTube video instruction on how to register
    • LINK to apply by creating an account first
    • Registration Fee: $0
    • CMGT was approved on January 31, 2023

ANNUAL REPORTS OR RENEWAL:

  1. SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM)
    • LINK to submit Renewal application
    • Renewal Fee: $0
    • Deadline: every January 24

  1. 501(C)(3)
    • LINK to form 990-N (e-Postcard) to IRS (for revenue $50,000 or less)
    • Or, LINK to form 990-EZ (for revenue $200,000 or less)
    • Annual Report Fee: $0
    • Deadline: every May 15

  1. FUNDRAISING PERMIT
    • LINK to form AG990-IL filing instruction
    • LINK to download form AG990-IL, submit via mail, no online option
    • Annual Report Fee: $15
    • Late Report Filing Fee: $100
    • Deadline for CMGT: every June 30

  1. ARTICLE OF INCORPORATION
    • LINK to submit Annual Report to the State of Illinois
    • Annual Report Fee: $10
    • Deadline for CMGT: every July 7

NOTES:

  • To apply for grants, a nonprofit must be in a good standing (submit annual reports to the governments).
  • A nonprofit must have a business bank account because grants will not be transferred to a personal bank account.
  • Some grants require additional documents, e.g., budget plan, audited financial report, or insurance.
  • Reports (quarterly or biannually) are required after the grant being used to fund the project or other activities .
  • All paperwork can be done without the help of an agent, lawyer, or accountant. TIPS: check YouTube for instructions on how to submit some of the documents listed here.