Cross-posted from Good Structures.

This is absolutely not legal advice, and all people considering launching organizations should consult with lawyers.

You can launch a 501(c)3 really quickly if you want. If you have a funder lined up, you can go from an idea to having a nonprofit with 501(c)3 status and with staff on payroll within around 40 days. I think this is around the fastest you can consistently do this, though if lucky, you can make it happen a bit faster (I just think you’re significantly less likely to succeed at getting 501(c)3 status in that window).

This outcome isn’t guaranteed, and steps in this list can go wrong. In particular, expediting your 501(c)3 application, discussed below, has, in my experience, about a 60% success rate for working within your requested timeline (but has a 95%+ success rate for expediting *to some extent*). So that means that doing this, there is something like a 40% chance it’ll take longer than you expect, because you’ll have to wait longer to get 501(c)3 status.

Note that having 501(c)3 status doesn’t hold you up from receiving grants or setting up payroll. The IRS treats organizations that intend to file for 501(c)3 [...]

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Outline:

(02:16 ) What is a 501(c)3?

(03:04 ) The maximum speed path

(03:08 ) 1. Get a donor who only wants to give to you if you're a 501(c)3 (∞ days)

(05:14 ) 2. Incorporate in Delaware or another speedy state (2 days)

(07:48 ) 3. Get an address (1 day)

(08:49 ) What state should the address be in?

(10:03 ) How to find a virtual mailbox provider

(10:59 ) 4. DO NOT pay a third party service to get your EIN. Get it yourself (5 minutes)

(12:09 ) 5. Adopt policies (0 days)

(12:44 ) 6. File Form 1023 with an expedite request (5 days)

(15:04 ) 7. Expedite your 1023 properly

(17:21 ) 8. Get 501(c)3 status (30 days)

(18:03 ) 7. Open a bank account (2 days if American)

(19:11 ) 8. Setup payroll (2 weeks)

(20:04 ) 9. Set up accounting (1 day)

(21:14 ) Things to do next

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First published:

November 13th, 2025

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/AKgacG7E5kqm6r6Ac/how-to-start-a-501-c-3-nonprofit-as-quickly-as-possible

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