Starting a Non-Profit Organization in Ohio

Ohio Nonprofit Start Up Requirements
1. Reference State Guides & Pre-Filing
• Review Official State Materials: Consult the Ohio.gov Start Up Booklet, the Ohio Secretary of State Business Nonprofit Booklet, and the Ohio Business Start-up Checklists for official state-level overviews.
• Name Availability Search: Search the Ohio Secretary of State Business Search to ensure your organization’s proposed corporate name is distinguishable from existing entities.
• Appoint Board of Directors: Select a minimum of 3 directors as required under Ohio Revised Code §1702.27 (no age or state residency constraints).
• Provide Board Guidance: Share the Ohio Attorney General’s Guide for Board Members to outline legal duties (Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, and Duty of Obedience) and webinars.
• Select Statutory Agent: Appoint a registered agent with a physical street address in Ohio to receive official and legal notices.
2. Corporate Incorporation & Governance
• File Articles of Incorporation: Submit Form 532B to the Ohio Secretary of State with the $99 filing fee. Include required IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt language regarding corporate purpose and asset dissolution.
• Adopt Internal Bylaws: Draft bylaws governing board elections, meeting rules, and officer duties. Keep these at your principal place of business (bylaws are not filed with the state).
• Establish Corporate Record Book: Create an official repository for meeting minutes, financial statements, bylaws, and filings pursuant to Ohio Revised Code §1702.15.
3. Federal & State Registrations
• Obtain Federal EIN: Apply online for a free Employer Identification Number (EIN) via the IRS website.
• Register New Hires (If Applicable): Submit employee details to the Ohio New Hire Reporting Center and set up state payroll tax accounts.
• Setup Ohio Business Gateway: Register with the Ohio Department of Taxation for business and sales tax accounts.
4. Tax-Exempt Status, Attorney General Registration, & Training
• Apply for Federal 501(c)(3) Status: Electronically file IRS Form 1023 ($600 fee) or streamlined Form 1023-EZ ($275 fee) on Pay.gov within 27 months of formation.
• Register with the Ohio Attorney General: Complete the Charitable Organization Registration via the Charitable Ohio portal prior to soliciting public funds (filing fees range from $0 to $200 based on projected contributions).
• Leverage Board Training: Access training webinars and educational modules via the Ohio Attorney General's Charitable University for continuous training on internal controls and fiduciary oversight.
• Local Permits & Zoning: Contact local city or county clerk offices for necessary municipal licenses or zoning clearances.
5. Long-Term State Compliance
• Update Statutory Agent: File Form 521 ($25 fee) whenever your registered agent’s name or address changes.
• Maintain Continued Existence: Submit a Statement of Continued Existence (Form 522, $25 fee) to the Secretary of State every 5 years to remain in active standing.

Grants
Search catalog on top right of website libraryvisit.org, opens a new window -drop down menu of catalog or articles
Grant searching, opens a new window -tutorial videos also here
● Foundation Directory (Only available in Library) Searching by subject area and geographic focus, also organization searching to look up competition
Taxonomy of Foundation Directory, opens a new window
● Philanthropy Classification System
o Subject
o Populations
o Organization Type
National wide searches:
● You may want to list a few large cities across the United States
Local community foundations examples:
● Youngstown Foundation, opens a new window
● Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, opens a new window
● Raymond John Wean Foundation, opens a new window
● Community Foundation of Western PA & Eastern OH
● Youngstown Area Jewish Foundation, opens a new window
● PNC Foundation @ Youngstown, opens a new window
● Farmer’s Charitable Foundation, opens a new window
App.Candid.org, opens a new window and seals of transparency
Learning.Candid.org, opens a new window
● Nonprofit Startup Assessment
● Sample Documents
o Cover Letters
o Letters of Inquiry
o Letter Proposals
o Proposal Budgets
o Full Proposals
● Search ‘Board Training’
o Knowledge Base Items
▪ Content
▪ Staff Website Picks
▪ Books
Candid.org -YouTube Channel, opens a new window
● Interviews, programs, and topical subjects for today’s nonprofit community
Associations
● Association of Fundraising Professionals -MASH (Mahoning and Shenango Chapter)
● Philanthropy Ohio -email newsletter (bottom right on website)
● Council of Nonprofit Organizations, opens a new window
o How to start a nonprofit, frequency asked questions, board toolkit, board orientation
Searching for blogs such as #nonprofit #fundraising #development #professionals like on reddit
Trusts -Premier Bank, Huntington Bank, PNC of Youngstown, Farmers National Bank, Stifel and CRA (Community Reinvestment Act)
Google Alerts, opens a new window
● People
● Company
● Words
● Development
● Nonprofit marketing
● Storytelling
Grantmakers.io, opens a new window
Free grant searching
Score.org, opens a new window
Mentoring/Counseling
LinkedIn Learning (library database)
www.libraryvisit.org, opens a new window -> Browse-> Online Resources -> Business (in yellow bar)
Search for nonprofit, management, budgeting, fundraising for nonprofits, government
Business Volunteers Unlimited, opens a new window
Online resource center and job board on our website, opens a new window under resources, as well as a full listing of our events, opens a new window
One of our programs that is extremely helpful to many nonprofits is our Volunteer Center – nonprofits can post volunteer opportunities, opens a new window at any time

Updated 9-2026