Wondering How To Start a Nonprofit in Wisconsin?

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Are you passionate about making a real difference in the world? Do you dream of starting a nonprofit organization that reflects your values and allows you to answer the call to do more?

Do you dream of starting a nonprofit organization that reflects your values and allows you to answer the call to do more?

We understand the fears and uncertainties that come with starting a nonprofit.

How do we raise money? How do we legitimize our organization so people take us seriously? How do we do this so we can hire an employee to work for our organization? These are just a few of the questions that may be holding you back from pursuing your passion.

That's where we come in.

At Chisholm Law Firm, we focus exclusively on helping passionate individuals like you navigate the process of starting a nonprofit organization.

Our law firm was started by a nonprofit founder who lost her tax-exempt status after listening to bad advice from a lawyer who did not focus on nonprofit law.

She learned from those mistakes and has built our experienced team of award-winning attorneys for nonprofits to guide you through every step of the process, from incorporation to obtaining tax-exempt status - with thousands and thousands of clients served and a 100% success rate since 2010*.

But we don't stop there.

Starting your nonprofit is just the beginning. While other companies may simply file generic paperwork and leave you to fend for yourself, you’re smart enough to know that true success with any business requires more.

That’s why we not only establish your organization legally, based on its unique needs, but we offer different levels of support that can help you secure funding and provide you with the tools and support you need to recruit an engaged board, build a team, pay salaries, raise money, get the word out about what you do and grow your organization using our Six Figure Nonprofit™ System.

Because we know that true success means making a real and lasting impact - not just getting started.

Imagine the profound impact you'll have when you have your own nonprofit organization. Picture yourself caring for animals in need, providing vital support and resources to the youth in your community, offering critical aid during disasters, empowering women, assisting the incarcerated with rehabilitation, offering mental health resources to those in need, supporting veterans, and so much more.

Envision the lives you'll touch, the communities you'll uplift, and the positive change you'll create.

With your own nonprofit, you'll not only fulfill your calling to do more but also make a tangible difference in the world. The satisfaction of knowing that your work is making a real difference will bring you a sense of fulfillment unlike anything else.

It's time to turn your passion into action.

Book a free consultation with us today and let's make your nonprofit dreams a reality.

Paulie Z
- Paulie Z Foundation -

“We Are Proud Of Our 100% Success Rate For Our Nonprofit Filings 99.9% Success Rate for Trademark Filings Since 2010.*”

Schedule a Free Consultation (Value: $450)

8,449 Clients Successfully Served Since 2010

    
 
 
        
   Halima Al-Ghurabaa 
 2021-09-20
 
 
  Working with Chisolm Law Firm has been an absolutely wonderful experience.
Every step of the way they are with you. Whether it is starting the Nonprofit ,(they literally took care of everything), filing for the Trademark and finally using their expert Grant writing service.

I highly recommend them. They are very nice, kind and caring.

They answer any questions you may have and they really take all the worry out of  building that solid foundation for your Nonprofit.

Thank you Ruchia, Kayla and Suzanne and all the Staff.
God Bless you and keep you always.

With heartfelt gratitude and thanks.
Sincerely,
D. Crowley

P.S. And yes, Att. Chisolm, you have made it easy to be a Superhero.
  
 
       
   Audrey W 
 2021-09-03
 
 
  Did an excellent job for a reasonable price I appreciate  being kept informed through the process as they filed for my LLC and trademark. Everything was done in a timely manner. I didn't have to lift a finger they took care of everything.
  
 
       
   sLAYERS 2021 
 2021-08-30
 
 
  Omg I thank God for Chisholm Law Firm. Before We hired this firm I was about to give up. They go above and beyond very professional. This firm help us with our 501C3 , trademark and so much more????????. We appreciate all the help  this firm did for our nonprofit. We thank you so much Chisholm Law Firm.
  
 
       
   James Gathings 
 2021-08-14
 
 
  I wanted to write an updated review based off how the situation that I encountered previously with Chisholm Law Firm was handled. Mr. Todd Mills handled the miscommunication and misunderstanding timely and appropriately! He also did so after hours. He answered every question and concern and rectified the circumstance. I am pleased to know that I will be moving forward with this law firm, and I look forward to achieving my dream of helping deprived and disenfranchised African Americans attend college and start businesses! I hope to update this review, months later once the process is finished!
  
 
       
   concerned citizen 
 2021-07-27
 
 
  I absolutely love audreys Youtube channel as suggested by Jessica H.
It has helped us relive some of our stress going into this process of starting our nonprofit. I am very grateful to the chisholm firm team. I know I am in good hands and appreciate everyone who has been involved in this dream of mine.
  
 
       
   Antoine Bello 
 2021-07-19
 
 
  Extremely pleased with how quickly Chisholm was able to get our organization its tax-exempt status. What was expected from me was made very clear from the start. Then Chisholm ran with the ball and delivered exactly what they had promised. Thank you guys.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are nonprofits different from a for profit business?

A “for profit” business is generally created to sell a good or service with the goal of making a “profit” for the owners or shareholders of the business. A nonprofit by definition is an organization that is created to advance a particular cause – but not for the purpose of making a profit.

What are the benefits of forming a 501c3 nonprofit?

Obtaining 501(c)(3) status for your nonprofit offers a multitude of advantages.
Firstly, it opens doors to apply for grants, securing vital financial support to run
your programs. Additionally, your organization can readily accept donations, and
these contributions are tax-deductible for your generous donors.
With tax-exempt status, you can make tax-free purchases for your nonprofit,
stretching your budget further. This journey isn’t just about finances; it’s about making a positive impact and feeling good about helping others.
Moreover, 501(c)(3) status enables you to compensate yourself and your team while providing a critical shield of limited personal liability. It's a transformative step for nonprofits, combining financial sustainability with a profound sense of purpose
and protection.

How much does it cost?

It depends on what you need. From filing fees to other legal fees, there is a lot to

consider when budgeting for nonprofit formation. At Chisholm Law, we

understand that every nonprofit is different so we tailor our formation services to

meet your needs exactly. There are no hidden fees and you will never have to

pay for services you don’t need. Call us today so we can assess your situation

and provide a flat fee quote.

Why should I hire your firm over cheaper alternatives?

Let’s take a look at the options available:
DIY: Avoid the IRS code and unreliable internet sources to prevent costly mistakes and save time.
Online Companies: Inexpensive but lack personalized guidance and key
services. Success rates are often undisclosed.
Big Law Firms: May lack attention and accessibility, billing for every
interaction.
CPAs/Accountants: Unable to provide legal advice, incomplete packages.
Small Law Firms: Limited expertise, potential delays.
Chisholm Law Firm: Founded by a nonprofit attorney, with a unique and expansive skill set, we boast a 100% success rate since 2010*. Our comprehensive package covers legal protection, name ownership, funding guidance, and more. Trust in our friendly, results-driven approach. *Disclaimer: Past results do not determine future outcomes

What do I need to get started?

How long will it take before we get approval from the federal government?

What forms of payment do you accept?

Does your firm only help clients in a certain state?

Can a nonprofit charge for services and make a profit?

Yes. Any leftover profit would be reinvested back into the nonprofit instead of belonging to the founder. In a for-profit business, the founder/owners would keep any profit earned by the business themselves.

What are the benefits of a 501c3 nonprofit?

Can you earn a salary working for your nonprofit?

If I have already filed articles of incorporation or have a EIN - but just need the tax-exempt status, can you still help?

How long does it take for you to file my application for tax exempt status?

With client cooperation, meaning when our clients respond to our e-mails promptly and provide us with the information we need on time, we can have all of the documents ready to file with the government in 4-6 weeks.

It typically takes the federal government from 4-6 weeks with the expedited process or 8 to 12 months with the long review process to render a determination regarding an application. If you need it faster, contact us for a quote for our expedited service which provides a faster turnaround than our standard packages.

Will I have to wait to be approved before I can start doing things with my nonprofit?

Leveraging Partnerships for Greater Impact

Successful nonprofits in Wisconsin understand the importance of building strong partnerships. Collaborating with local businesses, government entities, and other nonprofits can extend the reach and deepen the impact of their initiatives. These partnerships are crucial for pooling resources, sharing expertise, and amplifying community impact.

Organizations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in Wisconsin play a pivotal role in advancing marketplace trust. They help balance the marketplace by calling out substandard business behaviors and recognizing ethical businesses. Nonprofits can take a similar approach in various sectors by promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical practices.

“We Are Proud Of Our 100% Success Rate For Our Nonprofit Filings 99.9% Success Rate for Trademark Filings Since 2010.*”

Schedule a Free Consultation (Value: $450)

Call Now 1-866-730-3521

Meet Our Attorney Audrey K. Chisholm, Esq.

Audrey’s passion for helping people start their own nonprofit organizations came from adversity. She started her nonprofit, Revolution Leadership, Inc., as a college student. Although she had big dreams for the organization – she couldn’t seem to get grants or donations to help grow the organization. She paid for the expenses of the nonprofit out of her own pocket from her summer internships and was only able to host smaller programs due to the limited budget.

Things changed when began studying nonprofit law while in law school. She learned strategies that major law firms used when forming nonprofits for their clients and studied the best practices of the most successful nonprofits. She realized that due to the the way her nonprofit was structured – she was missing out on funding opportunities.

Using her newfound legal knowledge, she obtained 501c3 tax-exempt status and grew her nonprofit into an organization that has served 1,689 students and has awarded 34 college scholarships. As a result, Revolution Leadership® receives major grants from Wells Fargo®, Enterprise® as well as corporate sponsorships from Wal-mart®, Olive Garden® and Chick-fil-A®.

She graduated from law school and started Chisholm Law Firm, PLLC – a firm that would help others form nonprofits that would be eligible for major grant funding. Audrey’s nonprofit practice includes having successfully formed 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofit organizations for clients throughout the United States ranging from startups to a Fortune 500 company.

She is a published author and her latest book became the #1 bestselling book in the Nonprofit Management and Leadership category on Amazon called "Start A 501c3 Nonprofit That Doesn’t Ruin Your Life: How to Legally Structure Your Nonprofit to Avoid I.R.S. Trouble, Lawsuits, Financial Scandals & More!"

She has served on the board of directors of several prominent nonprofit organizations including the board of directors for Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society for six years and the board of the Florida State University Torchbearers and Florida State University Recent Graduate Development Council with combined annual budgets exceeding $1 million.

Attorney Chisholm is a member in good standing of the Florida Bar. She is an AV-Preeminent Rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell® which is the highest distinction a lawyer can achieve. She has been nominated for the Florida Legal Elite award, which recognizes the state’s top lawyers as selected by their peers.

Attorney Chisholm was awarded the “Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition” by the United States House of Representatives for her work in the community. She was nominated for the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal awarded by President Obama. She was also featured in the November 2011 issue of Black Enterprise®, a national business magazine for “Making A Difference.” She is the recipient of the Mayor’s Humanitarian Award as well as the Orlando Magic® NBA Team “Magic Maker” award for her contributions to the community.

She is happily married to Dr. Juan P. Chisholm and enjoys being a wife and mother of three beautiful daughters and one son. She has over 14,000 followers on Twitter.

She believes in the Biblical principle of tithing and donates regularly to her local church as well as other charitable organizations.

EDUCATION:

Juris Doctorate, Florida A&M University College of Law B.S.
Florida State University La Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, Spain (studies in international business)

AWARDS & RECOGNITION:

The Florida Bar, Member in good standing
United States House of Representatives “Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition”
Mayor’s Humanitarian Award
Outstanding Lawyer Award, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity
NBA Team Orlando Magic® “Magic Maker” Award
Outstanding Alumna Award, Omicron Delta Kappa, Inc.
Reubin Askew Young Alumni Award, Florida State University
Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing U.S. Private Companies
Law Firm 500 Award for 12th fastest growing law firm in the U.S.
Rising Star” Award for top 2.5% of lawyers in the State of Florida.

A Call to Action for a Better Wisconsin

Nonprofits in Wisconsin are uniquely positioned to address the state's diverse challenges by implementing targeted programs and services that improve the quality of life for its residents. By focusing on areas like healthcare, economic development, women's rights, and public education, nonprofits can play a crucial role in strengthening communities across the state.

As nonprofits continue to grow and evolve in Wisconsin, their ability to adapt to community needs and leverage new opportunities for collaboration will be key to their ongoing success and impact. With a strong foundation in legal compliance and community engagement, Wisconsin's nonprofits are well-equipped to foster a more inclusive and prosperous future for all residents.