According to the NH Attorney General's Division of Charitable Trust there are more than 8000 nonprofits registered in New Hampshire. These nonprofits range from tiny entities to huge complex organizations.
If you are contemplating joining that group of 8000+ there are many things to consider and many things to do in order to become a tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Here you will find resources that can help you navigate your way through these tasks.
Did you ever wish you could get a few minutes with a local expert to ask a few questions? In this video, Kirk Leoni, CPA, and nonprofit board member, discusses important financial considerations when starting a nonprofit.
New Informational Videos from the Attorney General's Office
The Division of Charitable Trusts has created informational videos to help answer some of the most common questions that they field. The video titles include:
How to Register a Charity in New Hampshire
Fiduciary Duties
Preventing Fraud
Each video is under 15 minutes and chock full of useful information. View the Videos
The IRS web site provides information about requirements and procedures for all stages in the life-cycle of a nonprofit, including getting started and applying to become a tax exempt organization.
IRS Publication 4220,
Applying for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status, is designed to help
prospective charities apply for tax exemption under the tax law.
NH Division of Charitable Trusts offers information about laws governing charities and charitable giving, a directory of Charitable Funds in NH, and publications regarding regulations and laws governing nonprofits. The site also provides access to registration and reporting forms.
Rules and Regulations
The New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts (NHBCA) educates, motivates, and recognizes business support of and participation in the arts. Among the resources they offer is a Guide to New Hampshire Nonprofit Incorporation; although it was prepared specifically for arts organizations, it is relevant to all organizations.
Get Ready, Get Set, a free guide from the Center for Nonprofit Management will help you to explore preliminary questions, such as "is there an unmet need in the community?" and "will the organization attract sufficient resources to make the project viable?" The booklet then describes the legal steps involved in incorporation and securing tax exemption status, and concludes with an overview of management systems.
The Foundation Center offers a tutorial on all the steps to starting a nonprofit that includes links and examples
The NH Secretary of State’s website outlines what nonprofits need to do to file with them. For your convenience, all forms can be filled out online then printed and mailed to them. They also have a 7-page document that references the RSA’s and information on Articles of Agreement, etc.
Starting and Building a Nonprofit Seminar Join Center Executive Director, Mary Ellen Jackson, for this informative seminar designed for board members, staff and volunteers of emerging nonprofits. Check our training list for more information
Nonprofit Checklist: Legal Requirements for NH Nonprofit Organizations
Download this checklist to learn about and help keep track of the legal requirements inherent in becoming a nonprofit in New Hampshire
Hybrid Organizations: The Face of the Future?
The L3C (Low-Profit Limited Liability Company) is a new form of limited liability company (LLC) that combines features of the LLC with the social conscience of a non-profit. On April 30, 2008, the governor of Vermont signed a law allowing the L3C as a business structure. This law has national significance because these companies can now be incorporated in Vermont whether or not the businesses actually operate in that state. Learn more...
NH Center for Nonprofits - 84 Silk Farm Road, Suite 1- Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 603-225-1947 - Fax: 228-5574 -
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it