Staying Legal: Six Most Frequently Asked Questions
by Terry M. Knowles, Registrar of Charitable Trusts
The Charitable Trusts Unit of the Attorney General's Office receives thousands of calls and e-mails each year from nonprofit organizations. While the questions posed range from the very simple to the extremely complex we have noted there are six specific questions that are asked most often:
How do I start a nonprofit organization?
This is the number one question asked and we have included a link on our website that describes the process: http://doj.nh.gov/publications/publications.html#ct
The Internal Revenue Service includes a handy tool on their website entitled the Life Cycle of a Public Charity that provides more detailed information on starting a charitable organization:
http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=122670,00.html Where can I find your registration and reporting forms?
All of the Charitable Trusts Unit's forms are available at: http://doj.nh.gov/publications/charitable_forms.html or you can call the Unit at 603-271-3591 and ask to have the forms mailed to you.
Where can I find the New Hampshire conflict of interest law?
The conflict of interest law is found at RSA 7:19-a http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/I/7/7-19-a.htm and is entitled Regulation of Certain Transactions Involving Directors, Officers, and Trustees of Charitable Trusts
How do I apply for a grant?
The Charitable Trusts Unit publishes an electronic Directory of Charitable Funds in New Hampshire that contains information on grantmaking foundations and organizations. The Directory is updated frequently and may be accessed at: http://doj.nh.gov/publications/directory-main.html
Are your files open to the public?
Yes, the Charitable Trusts Unit is subject to RSA 91-A, http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/VI/91-A/91-A-4.htm the right-to-know law, and all files in the Registry are open to the public. Files may be viewed Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
