The freedom to establish organizations is a right duly recognized and afforded by the Constitution, but just like any other groups, religious and not-for-profit organizations do have a need to register themselves with the state and operate as a regular institution. They may also find themselves filing tax (or tax exemption) forms, mediating conflict within and around the group, acquiring real estate to expand their operations, or to manage controversies and legal disputes with third parties.
Here are some of the things that you have to prepare when you plan to establish your own faith-based or not-for-profit organization in the state of Georgia
- Name your church/organization and establish its foundation.
- Will this be an independent church/group, or a charismatic group under an already established entity? Where will your primary address, and who will be your incorporators/directors? What will be your main purpose? Will you be doing business on the side?
- Set the basic rules.
- Who can be a member of your church/group, and what will be their basic responsibilities? Will you be employing people, or will you be recruiting volunteers instead? How will disputes within the management be settled? Will there be a Code of Conduct which your pastors/officers can abide by?
- Apply for governmental requirements.
- Your church/organization may or may not be exempted from tax. Either way, you may need to secure an Employer ID Number (EIN), a Tax ID number, or procure permits in order to conduct solicitation activities.
Attorney Dorna can take care of the business and procedural side of your religious or not-for-profit group, while you primarily focus on your altruistic functions. This will not only help you have more time to spread your advocacy across, but this will also ensure that your organization will maintain its pristine reputation for the coming years.