Starting a Nonprofit in Texas

So you want to start a nonprofit in Texas?
by Barry Silverberg,
Director, Center for Community-Based & Nonprofit Organizations at Austin Community College
and President/ CEO, Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations.

Nonprofit organizations are different than businesses and government; not better or worse, but different. These differences should not be glossed over as you explore whether the creation of a nonprofit is the best way to achieve the goals or purposes you seek to achieve.

You should understand what it means to be a nonprofit and how that differs from being a for-profit before you start the paperwork process.

You can complete the entire process yourself if you are prepared to go through the learning curve or engage the services of someone with expertise in forming, leading, managing and governing nonprofits. While it may be useful to engage the services of a lawyer for complicated situations, the average experience may not require a lawyer - just someone with solid experience in the nonprofit sector.

The ACC CCBNO offers this service for a fee. To seek our services or more information, e-mail bsilverb@austincc.edu.

Completing the State of Texas and Federal forms (outlined below) may satisfy the requirements for establishing your nonprofit organization, BUT is not sufficient if you wish to be an effective nonprofit. For that, you need to understand the "whys" of the forms and the "whys" of nonprofit best practices. Accordingly, whether you complete the forms yourself or engage the services of our Center or another individual or entity, be sure to understand why each question is answered the way it is. It will save you from a lot of grief in the future. So understand what the process is and what it requires before turning it over to someone to do for you. Expediency now may mean extra work later!

Using a variety of resources, we will present the steps, links to the necessary forms, and general commentary below. Again, while you can complete the process yourself if you are willing to expend the time and engage in the learning curve, do be sure that someone familiar with nonprofit law and practices (not just general legal or corporate practice!) checks your work. The good news is you can usually revise your submissions in response to any questions you may receive.

Should I create another nonprofit?

The overall process

State and Federal links

You should also develop a basic understanding of the nonprofit sector and nonprofit governance, leadership and management. To this end, we recommend you explore the free resources you will find within our Online Library.

For assistance or more information, e-mail bsilverb@austincc.edu