How to start a nonprofit
in Louisiana.

Plan, plan, plan

Before any forms, lock down your mission, every program activity, your funding sources, and a map of who is already doing similar work in your community.

• ·Clear, board-approved mission statement (your purpose, defined)
• ·Vision statement (the better future state you exist to create)
• ·Honest market assessment — who already serves this need?
• ·A funding hypothesis you can defend (where will the first $50K come from?)

Recruit and develop a Board of Directors

Louisiana law requires at minimum three directors. Beyond legal compliance, your board is your strongest asset and your biggest reputational risk.

• ·Directors who believe in your mission AND bring real expertise (legal, finance, fundraising, programs, comms)
• ·Diversity of backgrounds, not just optics — actual decision-making perspective
• ·Strategic thinkers who will challenge you, not rubber-stamp
• ·Board responsibilities: define mission · select & assess CEO · ensure planning · ensure resources · public ambassadorship · ethical/legal integrity · onboard new members

Define the activities of the organization

Map out exactly what you will do, what it costs, and where the money comes from. The 1023 application requires a 3-year budget.

• ·Year-1, Year-2, Year-3 budget
• ·Major expense lines (program · admin · fundraising)
• ·Revenue mix (grants · individual · earned · government contracts)
• ·Fundraising goals + the strategy to hit them

Reserve a corporate name

File a name reservation through the Louisiana Secretary of State. Search the SOS database first — name conflicts get applications rejected.

Obtain your EIN (Employer Identification Number)

Free directly from the IRS. Avoid third-party sites that charge for this. Takes about 10 minutes online during business hours.

File Articles of Incorporation

The legal document that creates your nonprofit corporation under Louisiana law. Filed with the LA SOS. Must include the IRS-required 501(c)(3) language for the dissolution clause and the purpose clause — without those, the IRS will reject your 1023.

Adopt Bylaws

The internal rulebook for how your board governs the org — meetings, quorum, officer terms, conflict-of-interest policy. The IRS reviews your bylaws as part of the 1023.

• ·Conflict-of-interest policy (IRS sample available — they basically expect you to use it)
• ·Officer roles & election procedures
• ·Meeting frequency + quorum + voting rules
• ·Amendment process

IRS Form 1023 (or 1023-EZ)

The big one. Your formal application for federal 501(c)(3) status. Most small startups can use Form 1023-EZ ($275 user fee, ~3 months); larger orgs (gross receipts > $50K/yr or assets > $250K) must use the full 1023 ($600 fee, 6–12 months typical).

• ·Narrative description of activities — be specific, not aspirational
• ·List of board members with addresses + compensation (if any)
• ·Detailed 3-year budget (matches Step 3)
• ·Public charity vs. private foundation election
• ·Conflict-of-interest policy attached

Develop Policies & Procedures Manual

Beyond bylaws — written policies for HR, financial controls, document retention, whistleblower, gift acceptance, expense reimbursement. Funders ask. Auditors require.

• ·Financial controls + check-signing authority
• ·Document retention & destruction
• ·Whistleblower protection
• ·Gift acceptance + naming rights
• ·HR + employment basics if you have staff

Open a bank account

You need the EIN, the SOS-stamped Articles of Incorporation, and a board resolution authorizing the account. Use a nonprofit-friendly bank — Iberia, Hancock Whitney, and several CDFIs offer no-fee nonprofit accounts.

Determine insurance needs

At minimum General Liability and Directors & Officers (D&O). D&O is non-negotiable — without it your board members are exposing personal assets and most won't serve.

• ·General Liability — protects against bodily injury / property damage claims
• ·Directors & Officers (D&O) — protects board from governance lawsuits
• ·Workers' Comp — if you have any staff (W-2 or 1099 over a threshold)
• ·Cyber liability — if you store donor data or PII

Establish an operations calendar

Recurring rhythms keep boards engaged and audits clean.

• ·Board meetings (quarterly minimum, monthly common in year 1)
• ·Annual fundraising events / appeals
• ·IRS Form 990 / 990-EZ / 990-N filing (deadline = 5.5 months after fiscal year end)
• ·Louisiana Annual Report (every year, $5 fee, online via geauxBIZ)
• ·LA charitable solicitation registration if you fundraise statewide