Blog Posts

Avoid delays and rejection—discover 5 common mistakes to avoid when submitting your 501(c)(3) application for nonprofit tax-exempt status.

Learn how 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status helps nonprofits qualify for grants and attract donations.

Every nonprofit founder has to answer a key question early on: Will this be a local nonprofit or a national nonprofit? Choosing between a local vs national nonprofit shapes your board, your budget, and the number of government agencies you answer to. At Chisholm Law Firm, we help founders think through these decisions so they…

Need to know what is a 501(c)(3)? Learn about these nonprofits and how they operate, pay employees legally, and more.

Starting a nonprofit? Discover 6 essential legal considerations to ensure compliance and build a solid foundation for your organization.

Tax savings, grant eligibility, legal protections, and fundraising advantages explained Most people start a nonprofit because they want to make a difference. But to operate effectively — raise funds, qualify for grants, and gain community trust — you often need 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Whether you’re just starting your organization or deciding if tax exemption is…

Understanding IRS rules, reasonable compensation, and the steps to get paid as a nonprofit founder Many new nonprofit founders ask the same question: “Can I legally pay myself a salary from my nonprofit?” Yes, founders, board members, and nonprofit employees can earn a salary. But the IRS has strict rules on how much you can…

How to Protect Your Home Address When Forming a Nonprofit Protecting your home address is important. One of the requirements to legally form your nonprofit is to provide a mailing address and a physical address. If you can afford it, you can’t open a post office box? and receive mail relating to your nonprofit at that address.?…

This is the third blog in our How to Make Money with Trademarks series. In our previous blog, What is a Trademark & How to Make Money with Them, we talked about the definition of trademarks, how they are different from patents and copyrights, as well as the four-step process to making money with trademarks. In this post,…

Welcome to our new legal series on how to make money using trademarks. That’s right. Trademarks can be used to make you more money with minimal effort. Why? Because they don’t cost you anything to create and can be turned into a money-making machine with very little investment. Most of us have thought of a catchy…

Learn how not-for-profit organizations operate, earn revenue, and maintain tax-exempt status while supporting their mission.

Starting a nonprofit requires planning, structure, and a realistic understanding of the start-up costs. Although nonprofit founders are driven by mission, they still need to know the financial commitment required to form a legally compliant organization. Costs vary depending on your state, the IRS application you file, and whether you hire legal support to prepare…