Start a Nonprofit

Starting a nonprofit organization is akin to starting a small business; it requires considerable planning, knowledge, financial resources, and dedication. (Candid Learning's article, entitled How do I start a nonprofit organization, is a great introduction to this topic.) There are several alternatives to starting your own nonprofit that will enable you to serve your community, and can also help you build the skills and make the connections you will need to start your own nonprofit later. 

Volunteer

Volunteer work is a great "foot in the door" for those with little or no work experience in the social sector. It can also be a good way to discover new interests, and to determine if the nonprofit sector is right for you. Find volunteer opportunities in Tulsa through Volunteer Tulsa, Volunteer Match, and Idealist.    

Work for a nonprofit

If you want to serve your community but need a steady salary, working for an established nonprofit organization may be a great option; it will provide you with valuable experience in the social sector, and may prepare you to serve your community later in your career through working with a fiscal sponsor.  Find current job postings on the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Job Board. 

Apply for a fiscal sponsorship

If you have well-developed and workable project that you would like to bring to your community, a fiscal sponsorship may be a good option. A fiscal sponsorship is a formal arrangement between an individual or group and a 501(c)(3). Under this arrangement, an existing public charity sponsors a nonexempt project, which in turn allows the project's founders to apply for grants and solicit charitable donations. It is important that your proposed project be well-researched before you approach an existing 501(c)(3) about a fiscal sponsorship. Visit Candid Learning's Fiscal Sponsorship topic page to learn more.

Can a federally recognized tribe qualify as a charitable organization exempt from taxation under IRC section 501(c)(3)?

A federally recognized tribe that exercises sovereign powers generally will not qualify for exemption as a charitable organization under IRC section 501(c)(3) because the exercise of sovereign powers is not a charitable purpose as defined by IRC section 501(c)(3). IRC section 501(c)(3) describes a charitable organization as one that is organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment), or the for prevention of cruelty to children or animals, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.

A tribe may choose to create, through separate organizing documents, an entity separate from the tribe that does not have sovereign powers and that is organized exclusively for purposes as described under IRC section 501(c)(3). This type of entity will generally qualify for exemption from taxation on its earnings from charitable activities. Application for IRS determination of IRC section 501(c)(3) exemption is made on Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. An exempt organization created in this manner will be subject to the same reporting requirements as any other taxpayer exempt under IRC section 501(c)(3). Though its income from those activities for which it obtained its IRC section 501(c)(3) exemption is exempt from Federal income tax, income from unrelated business activities (activities not directly related to its exempt purpose) is not exempt and is subject to income tax. More information about qualifying for exemption under section 501(c)(3) as an exempt organization can be found in Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status For Your Organization. Information regarding unrelated business income can be found in Publication 598, Tax on Unrelated Business Income of Exempt Organizations. Additional assistance in completing Form 1023 can be obtained by visiting the Charities and Nonprofits page.